Universal Recording Corporation [Bill Putnam]

07/20/2025

Steven Frisk- here is the Klaff / Weinstein demo reel #2. 11:20 seconds

My guess around 1987-88. I was at Streeter at this time and snatched a dub. No date on box back is empty. Recorded at Streeterville Studios and Universal Recording Corp maybe more at Streeter as Jimmy Dolan had captured KW pretty well in the mid 80's. You will hear if I am not mistaken vocalists Gary Klaff, Kitty Hayward, Jim Peterik, drummer Tommy Radtke, harmonica Howard Levy and so many more I can't recall but maybe you can!

https://soundcloud.com/user-117948942/klaff-weinstein-demo-2-use?si=0eb4677740a44f92861e08b559a4e3b4&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

05/05/2025

Steven Frisk.

Here are 3 Marlboro instrumental spots- 2 60's. and 1 30. Large orchestra. I boosted the count offs as much as possible. Thinking it is Alan Barcus from Opus III. No clue on exact date. No box so hard to tell. Old Style , Dick Boyell producer, Nuance Productions confirmed Universal 12/30/77. Drummers name is Jerry, can't remember his last name right now.

Soundcloud link:

https://soundcloud.com/user-117948942/marlboro-and-old-style-5-4-25?si=0d54d4232f0246bebbbe15e7f8aa63f5&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

04/21/2025

Steven Frisk

Hello everyone, I present to you 2 recordings circa 1977 or thereabouts. #1 is a United Airlines spot "50,000 strong "a band and vocal most likely for radio at 1:13. Listen close to the count in, I believe it to be Les Hooper, whom preceded Allan Barcus at Opus III. Spot #2 is an instrumental unknown in origin , but drummer Tommy Radke outshines Steve Gadd in every way on this track. Amazing performances by Tommy and the others on this track which might have been a spot or an industrial I just don't know.

Just another day in the 1970's at Universal Recording.

P.S. I have many more tapes to post, stay tuned, bearing any potential lawsuits.

Here is the Soundcloud link:

https://soundcloud.com/user-117948942/ual-and-unknown-instrumental-4?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing&si=9fcfe8d7d3fe45ea886749d467c3d28e

01/28/2021

Nice read with regard to Bill's west coast studios.

Brazil met Hollywood on his album with Antônio Carlos Jobim

11/17/2020

Yet another great loss to the music industry this year, the legendary recording engineer, Bruce Swedien. Bruce started his career at URC when he was in his early 20's. During his illustrious career he crafted many, many great records. Always pushing the envelope with regards to innovation in capturing sound. He will be missed.

Bruce Swedien, the legendary audio engineer behind Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, died on Monday night (Nov. 16).

05/31/2020

Recording studio in Chicago, Illinois. Also appears as: - Universal R.S. - Universal Recording - Universal Studios - Universal Studios, Chicago - Universal Recording Corp. (Chicago, IL) - Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, Ill. The studio was founded in 1947 by Bill Putnam. In the late '40s the s...

09/05/2017

Bill and Nat King Cole.

08/28/2017

“Duke” Ellington at URC in 1966
© Ted Williams

08/25/2017

Some images of Count Basie and his Orchestra at URC

08/24/2017

Some more video from 46 E Walton

Tom "the tech" Miller's famous DVD tour of the Universal Recording Complex at 46 E Walton as we prepared to close down the facility and move to Randolph St. ...

08/24/2017

Some video of 46 E Walton during the move.

Tom "the tech" Miller's famous DVD tour of the Universal Recording Complex at 46 E Walton as we prepared to close down the facility and move to Randolph St. ...

08/23/2017

A great discussion with the great Bruce Swedien. He talks about his early days at Universal Recording in the series. Video care of Sweetwater.

Legendary producer and engineer Bruce Swedien visited Sweetwater's GearFest event at Sweetwater Headquarters in Fort Wayne, IN, and held a special seminar fo...