In 1969, a group of four musicians known as "The Swampers" left nearby FAME Recording Studios to form their own studio. The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio created a number of legendary hits, and The Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section (The Swampers changed their name) was the first rhythm section to own their own studio and, eventually, their own publishing and production companies.

Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Cat Stevens, and more have all recorded at the facility. The Staple Singers recorded "I'll Take You There" at Muscle Shoals Sound. Paul Simon heard the song, loved it, and got the rhythm section to record with him for "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock."

The Rolling Stones were here from December 2-4, 1969, when they recorded "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses." According to legend, Keith Richards was doing coke in the bathroom while the engineers pleaded with him to get into the studio. Richards responded that wild horses couldn't get him to come out.

Bob Dylan recorded "Gotta Serve Somebody" here in 1979, which won him a Grammy for Best Male Vocalist in 1980.

Although the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio has since moved to an updated facility on Alabama Ave in Sheffield, AL, the original building is occasionally used. The Black Keys recorded their album Brothers here in 2009, which won a Grammy in 2011.

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