Singing Expo's praises how Studio 86 let everyone record a hit

One of the most popular attractions at Expo 86 was Studio 86, a fullyfunctional, high-quality recording studio where anyone could walk awaywith their very own musical recording.

• Check out CBC's archive coverage of Expo 86

Visitorspaid$16.95, triedtheir best at singing along to a popular songand received a cassette of their performance.

The studio was co-owned and run by Jim Benedick, who had a long history of consulting for previous world fairs.

"I was looking for some kind of an idea that would be unique to the Expowhen we came up with the recording studio idea," he said.

During the five months ofExpo 86,55,000 songs were recorded byan average of 300 people per day.

The attraction consisted of 11 private studios and one 'not-so private studio,'a glass boothlocated at the front of the building, open to crowds ofonlookers.

Located right in the heart of the Plaza of Nations, the studio also hosted celebrity performances by Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Daryl Hannah, Steve Miller, the Judds and more.

While karaoke bars are standard fare now, that was not the case 30 years ago.

The idea of singing with a professional backing track and getting a cassette afterward was novel.

"Karaoke was just starting.I did know a couple of people had karaoke machines. But this way, you could get a quality recording and that's what people liked," said Benedick.

"People went into the studio that normally would not sing. We heard some people had phenomenal voices, and we were wondering how those people never got to be recording artists. But that was few and far between."

Moonlighting

Aside from running Studio 86, Benedickdid have a chance to recorda few songs himself,with his business partner Ron Thompson.

"We would do the Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson song To All The Girls I've Loved Before.

"Later that day, a couple of people walked up to me and said 'Hey, we saw you recording at the studio.Don't give up your day job!'"

The Plaza of Nations, thelocation of Studio 86, was the heart ofExpo. Today,it ishome toa casino, nightclubs and an outdooramphitheatre.

With files from the CBC'sTheEarly Edition

To hear the audio version of this story, including some classic '80s hits sung by Expo participants, click the link labelled:Remembering Studio 86