I just happened to be walking past the famous Brill Building the other night and I decided to snap a photo of it but despite my trying, I was unable to get one without someone passing right by me. It’s a single shot I must admit, but its one that still helps you reflect upon the amazing amount of music that came out of this building. For decades this was a veritable song factory that found legends such as Carole King and Neil Diamond working day in and day out to churn out the hits that Don Kirshner would ask them to provide.
To the best of my recollection I have never been inside the Brill Building so I don’t know if there are any other plaques or statuary to its history. Perhaps that is a mission I can undertake for the blog if I put my most charming self in front of me when walking past their doors. If I do that I promise to share it with you here for sure.
Official Wikipedia Entry HERE
“Brill Building Sound” has become a euphemism for late 50’s and early 60’s pop music song craft. A classic entry way that I’m glad hasn’t been revamped. Lesser known is 1650 Broadway, where Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weil, Barry Mann, Neil Sedaka, Howard Greenfield all competed to write hits for ALDON Music, a publishing company run by Don Kirschner and Al Nevins. The Iridium Club and Ellen’s Stardust Diner are now on the ground floor, but entrance to the offices is/was on 51st.
Carole King notes in her new autobiography that the Broadway address allowed realtors to charge more for the office space.
Best,
Pete
http://www.skeletonpete.com