11 famous albums with strange circumstances around the recordings

Should what transpires within a studio, encompassing the production and distribution of an album, always remain out of the public eye? That’s the question!

It’s understandable that unusual or unexpected events may occur during the lengthy and challenging production process, as even artists, producers, and janitors are all part of it. Sometimes, these incidents might be kept within the studio confines, but occasionally, they could be utilized to pique audience interest, particularly those craving intriguing tidbits.

Many remarkable albums are associated with peculiar and fascinating trivia, as you’ll see below with these eleven examples.

Some odd things surrounded the making of these fantastic 11 albums

Blonde On Blonde (1966)—Bob Dylan

Transitioning away from traditional folk and acoustic tunes, Bob Dylan was at the peak of his performance with this album. The majority of it was actually recorded with professional musicians based in Nashville, resulting in one of his finest works ever produced.

During the process of recording “Rainy Day Women Nos 12 And 35,” the first track on this album, Dylan grew discontented with the musicians’ performance. To remedy this, he offered them some unusual concoctions and instructed them to change instruments. It appears this approach was successful.

Smile/Smiley Smile (1967) – The Beach Boys

As a dedicated fan, I’d say that The Smile Sessions album is renowned for being one of the most iconic albums with a troubled production history in rock music. During the recording process, Brian Wilson was teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown (which unfortunately became a reality later). This tension seemed to fuel an extraordinary array of peculiarities during the sessions, ranging from requiring musicians to don fire helmets to an unexpected incident where some of the completed recording tapes were even burned.

The reworked Smiley Smile album featured completed songs like “Good Vibrations,” while the majority of it was spontaneous recordings made using Brian Wilson’s piano in a sandbox and his vocals from a tent set up inside his bedroom. This could be considered one of the earliest examples of lo-fi/bedroom pop music production.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)—The Beatles

Notable figures weren’t exempt from unusual studio happenings either. This particular individual was quite eccentric – he edited tapes, tossed them in the air, and then reassembled them haphazardly to craft a song (a part of “A Day In The Life”). He also distributed holiday headgear and oversized red clown noses to the orchestra participating in the recording session.

Trout Mask Replica (1969)—Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band

Prior to recording their avant-garde rock masterpiece, Don van Vliet (also known as Captain Beefheart) kept his band, the Magic Band, isolated in a secluded communal residence for eight months. During this time, they practiced rigorously for 14 hours each day until he deemed them prepared. Indeed, they were ready, just as he was.

Exile On Main St (1972)—The Rolling Stones

At some point, The Rolling Stones left Britain to dodge taxes and settled in a home on the French Riviera. For three years during the recording of their album there, they experienced numerous peculiar incidents involving many people, along with drug-fueled extravagances that ultimately led to the creation of one of rock music’s timeless classics.

Burnin’ (1973)—Bob Marley And The Wailers

Cannabis, pot, or whatever it’s referred to, played a crucial role in every one of Bob Marley’s recording sessions, including during the creation of this iconic album. During the recording of “I Shot The Sheriff”, the bassist accidentally dropped his rolled cigarette on the only tape recording of this song. It’s unclear if they managed to save the original tape or had to re-record the song (either with or without alterations), but the final product became a classic.

Wish You Were Here (1975)—Pink Floyd

Despite leaving Pink Floyd some time ago and multiple albums passing since then, Syd Barrett’s influence lingered strongly over the band for years, as evidenced by both the album and song titles. Interestingly, during the recording of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a tribute to Barrett, it was discovered that Barrett himself unexpectedly showed up in the studio without invitation, adding an (arguably helpful) tension, which contributed to the creation of one of Pink Floyd’s finest songs.

Station To Station (1976)—David Bowie

As I immersed myself in the heart of Berlin, recording my album within a studio that overlooked the iconic Berlin Wall, I found myself shedding pounds at an alarming rate. My diet consisted solely of peppers, milk, and a variety of other substances. Remarkably, the end product was nothing short of astonishing.

Rumours (1977)—Fleetwood Mac

In this album, a whirlwind of personal upheaval took place, marked by the dissolution and rekindling of romantic relationships, along with changes in partners. As gossip swirled around during this period, the end product was music so polished it felt like silk to the ears.

OK Computer (1997)—Radiohead

As a devoted fan, I’d say: In pursuit of the ideal soundscape for their dystopian vibe, the band retreated to a rustic shed adorned with recording tools, initially unsatisfied with the outcomes. However, while crafting a song for the 1996 movie “Romeo + Juliet”, something shifted, and they completed the rest of the album in a grand mansion instead.

American Idiot (2004)—Green Day

One day at their studio, Green Day discovered that their previous recordings, which could have potentially brought them back to the top, had mysteriously vanished (stolen). Rather than embarking on a frantic search, they chose instead to begin anew with fresh creativity, and this decision proved successful for them.

2025-02-03 14:01