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Elvis Presley -

Elvis Presley, who began his recording career with Sun Records, later became one of the biggest artists on the RCA Victor label. He's seen here in 1956 recording in a RCA Victor studio.

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The Beatles -

The Beatles, photographed during a recording session at Decca Studios the day they recorded 'From Me to You' and 'Thank You Girl' on March 5, 1963. Soon afterwards, the band became synonymous with Abbey Road Studios.

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The Beach Boys -

A rare 1976 portrait of the original Beach Boys lineup, taken in a recording studio in California. From left: Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, and Carl Wilson.

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Pink Floyd -

Pink Floyd in 1967 consisted of Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett, and Rick Wright, seen here behind a mixing desk in Studio 3 at Abbey Road Studios while recording their debut album, 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.'

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The Rolling Stones -

Brian Jones and Mick Jagger jam out a tune together on guitars in what would evolve as the song 'Sympathy for the Devil' at London's Olympic Sound Studios on June 4, 1968.

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Bee Gees -

After a brief hiatus at the end of the '60s, the Bee Gees reconvened in a studio in Soho, London, in 1970 to begin recording again.

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Bob Dylan -

Bob Dylan recording his first album, 'Bob Dylan,' in front of a microphone with an acoustic Gibson guitar and a harmonica during one of the John Hammond recording sessions in November 1961 at Columbia Studio in New York City.

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David Bowie -

David Bowie works in the studio during the recording of his 'Diamond Dogs' album, which was recorded between October 1973 and February 1974 in London and the Netherlands.

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Simon & Garfunkel -

Simon & Garfunkel take time out during the 'Sounds of Silence' recording sessions at Columbia Studios in New York in 1965.

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Pete Townshend -

Guitarist Pete Townshend of the Who in his home recording studio in Twickenham, near London, around 1970.

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Elton John -

Elton John sits behind a mixing desk in a midtown New York recording studio to promote his 'Captain Fantastic' album, released in 1975.

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ABBA -

Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, one half of Swedish band ABBA, rehearse in Polar Studios in  Stockholm before a recording session in 1977.

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Fleetwood Mac -

Stevie Nicks pauses during a 1975 Fleetwood Mac recording session. Christine McVie and John McVie are seen in the background.

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The Rat Pack -

The Rat Pack—Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr.—clown around in the studio while recording  in 1962.

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Johnny Cash -

Writing and recording, country music legend Johnny Cash looks hard at work in the recording studio in this 1960 snapshot of the "Man in Black."

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Aretha Franklin -

Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," sings in the Atlantic Records studio during 'The Weight' recording session on January 9, 1969, in New York City.

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James Brown -

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," in the studio for the 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' recording session in 1966.

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Duke Ellington and Count Basie -

Jazz legends Duke Ellington and Count Basie take a break from recording while in the studio in the mid-1950s.

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Barbra Streisand -

A pensive-looking Barbra Streisand wearing a black short sleeve top with a white beaded necklace stands in front of a microphone during a 1965 recording session.

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The Monkees -

Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz, two members of the popular '60s band The Monkees, take time out during a recording session in Los Angeles.

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Ray Charles -

Ray Charles relinquishes piano duty to check out the horn section during a 1960 studio recording session.

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Tom Jones -

Welsh singer Tom Jones listens impassively to a playback in a London recording studio in 1965.

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Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong -

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong appear to be having great fun in the studio in this candid snapshot taken at Verve Records in 1957.

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Bryan Ferry -

Striking out on his own, Roxy Music front man Bryan Ferry is pictured in 1973 in the studio singing 'A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall' during the recording of his first solo album 'These Foolish Things.'

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Judy Garland and Bing Crosby -

Two of entertainment's biggest stars of the vintage era, Judy Garland and Bing Crosby read from sheet music in the studio during a 1930s recording session.

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Stevie Wonder -

Little Stevie Wonder smiles and sings into a microphone during a studio recording session in early 1963. He was just 13 years old when this picture was taken.

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Neil Diamond -

Neil Diamond, tie loosened, takes his place in front of the microphone during a 1963 recording session.

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Sonny and Cher -

Husband and wife duo Sonny and Cher make themselves comfortable as they settle into a 1966 recording session.

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David Gilmour and Brian May -

Two legendary guitarists, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Brian May of Queen, in the recording studio during the making of the Armenia earthquake appeal record in London in 1989.

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David Byrne -

Scottish-American singer, songwriter, musician, and lead vocalist of Talking Heads, David Byrne poses for a portrait at a Los Angeles studio in 1984. 

Sources: (Smooth Radio)

See also: The best debut albums of all time

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