From AC/DC to Aerosmith, Vancouver's Little Mountain Studios was home to the biggest ’80s rock acts 

Whether you're a fan of his music or not Mike Reno is one of those people it's impossible not to like. Genuine, humble, light-hearted.

What a brilliant story. Thank you for putting this documentary together. From the Payolas and Honeymoon Suite to Krokus and the Cult, these albums were literally the soundtrack of my life growing up in Canada in the 80s and their production quality is truly timeless. It is fascinating to hear the story behind Little Mountain Studios--a story that needed to be told.

Bon Jovi + Bruce Fairbairn + Bob Rock: Magic

Shout-out to Squire Barnes and team for an excellent documentary. This is a labour of love.

Shoutout to Eddie Trunk and the caller who recommended this documentary on his radio show. Really well done and super fascinating.

Great documentary! Geoff Turner should be mentioned. He originally started out in England. He moved from New York City to Vancouver in the early 1970's and was one of the people that helped build Little Mountain. He had business problems with Bob Brooks and left to start his own studio Pinewood Sound which is still around today. He was a legend and I learned a lot from him. I also learned a lot using all the all the old Little Mountain Equipment when it went to Greenhouse Studios. I have worked with a few of the people in this documentary over the years like Corey Dixon, Paul Silveira, and the legendary John Vrtacic. VERY Cool People!!!!

Awesome! I just discovered music when a lot of these bands were hitting the air waves: Triumph, Payolas, Bon Jovi, Loverboy, Styx, Headpins, Rush, April Wine, Honeymoon Suite, Night Ranger...on and on There was something magical about music back then, but that could also be that I was a kid discovering music. Music carried more weight back then. I would buy an album and lie on my bed listening to every song with the album sleeve in front of me with reading along with the lyrics. When i bought an album, it meant something to me. Music today feels disposable. It has a feeling of mass production. Not all of it, but it's different. Music lost something when it went digital, and streaming turned it into content. Film is going through the same artistic erosion due to studios pumping out "content" instead of art. I guess I'm old. Either way, this was a fantastic documentary. I wish it was a lot longer.

Actually it was the Black 'N Blue Record "Without Love" that made Jon Bon Jovi want to come to Vancouver. Jon has told this story many times.

Excellent doc Squire !.......(RIP) Bruce 🙏....Thanx for the Rock n Roll ......

RIP Bruce Fairbairn, legend

This must win awards. What great story tellers.

legendary studio!

This is an incredible musical history doc!! All of the incredible music that just came out of this one studio!! I used to read the liner notes when I would get a new record, and I would always see Little Mountain, just incredible

well done global news & production team! please, more content like this about our (canadian) success stories. would love a document on Le Studio.

out a doubt the best documentry i have seen on vancouver music scene gret job squire

Great story! Thanks for sharing. It's so cool to hear that so many amazing records were made in Canada!

That’s was fantastic documentary on the Vancouver’s top music studios we need more of this and let’s educate the younger generation that we have today about all the 80’s bands

Thank you for making this, Squire Barnes! ❤

Thank you for this beautiful documentary to Little Mountain Studios. From a fan of many of the albums recorded there, of those bands, I became aquatinted with the name Little Mountain, Bruce Fairbairn, Bob Rock by reading the album liner notes as a young kid. The music created in that place by those people are part of my life and this beautiful video homage is something that was needed. Thank you.

This was so good. Mesmerized. I wish it was 2 hours longer and touched on so many other records and bands. It was fascinating and well done.

The real reason they all came in Canada either at LMS or Morin Heigths was because it was way cheaper to make albums here.

Bruce Fairbairn, Jim Vallance & Little Mountain Studio's were so important in recording those Aerosmith album's there in the later 80's & early 90's. The biggest comeback in entertainment history.

I moved to Vancouver in '96 from Victoria and fondly remember the many rehearsals I had at that location when it became known as The Rockspace. Since that chapter ended its nice to see Nimbus has located to that important landmark of the Vancouver music scene.

These albums are becomes of light of the music industry. What an era....

This a great informative documentary. I'd like to suggest to director Squires Barnes is do a complimentary piece on Le Studio in Quebec. That studio also had great records come out of that studio like RUSH, April Wine, The Police, David Bowie etc. Thanks for sharing

This is incredible !! What a time to witness, if I could go back to Vancouver in 86...I would in a heartbeat...magic 🔮

Thank you Squire for all the hard work,Brings back alot of memories of years past and all the bands i got to see there,I still think of the studio when i listen to the music and the magic that was made there......

one of the my favorite musical recording studio…

Fantastic documentary and a great trip down memory lane.

Hey Squier, What a great piece you've presented here!!!!! Thoroughly enjoyed this. Cheers

The rich history in that building is amazing - what a great documentary - ⚡️⚡️

As Bob Rock said - There was something special about the Rooms AND the Staff. I have noticed this about iconic spaces - and the energy that they absorbed from the artists and gave back to the room - in conjunction with the Staff and the people that record there. Think about it - Abbey Road, Power Station (which closed for awhile), Sound City, Capitol Records, Westlake, The Village Recorders, Record Plant (New York, LA, Sausalito), Olympic in London, Air Montserrat, and so many more. I even recorded a few times at this small but awesome studio in White Plains, NY called "Minot". Great Engineers and Staff - and a great sound. I think maybe it is all of the Passion and Love and Excitement and Art - poured into these places. Many times the Acoustics are not "Text Book" - and yet there is an indescribable magic that happens that is outside of Human understanding and control. It just works. And it is difficult to observe the passing of these Works of Passion and Art. Kinda like the passing of some of the people that worked there. :-(

Hung out there for 3 days with a certain band that one of the members & I were good friends, not mentioning any names, it was a different time a magical time when music still meant something and the art of recording was actually an art before pro tools. Been in the business 30+years and don't regret a thing but it's just sad watching this because the whole business has completely changed not only from the studios to the way records are recorded every aspect of the business is different now in my opinion not in a good way because all of the art and creativity and technical prowess and just the feeling of it all no longer exists.

The 80s and 90s brings back a lot of memories Including Bernie Pascal BCTV Sports Caster remember him Squire😎

This is fantastic and overdue! Spent time there getting mastering done in awe of the space and talent. Thanks for this.

It's been said Little Mountain Sound Studios was just a 'jingle factory' prior to the early '80's when Loverboy and Bon Jovi recorded there. Well, that's just not so! For about 8 years prior to that, the staff at LMS (Geoff Turner, Jeanie Turner, David Hayes (Slagter), Dick Abbott, John Vrtacic, Ron Obvious, Gary Osborne, Mark McNair, Dave Hudson, and Daryl Stratachuck) tweaked in a great combination of technologies, talents and techniques that would record many fine albums and recordings in the 70's and early 80's by artists including: Paul Janz, Terry Jacks, Susan Jacks, Olivia Newton John, Nick Gilder, Bryan Adams, Fosterchild, Valdy, The Hometown Band, Joani Taylor, Chilliwack, Headpins, Paul Horn, White Wolf, Pacific Salt, Bighorn, Zingo, Stonebolt, Sweeney Todd, Bobby Curtola, Trooper, BTO, Smokin' Pocket, Dog Star, Prism, Straight Lines, Payolas, D.O.A., Subhumans, Modernettes, Barney Bentall, Hans Staymer, Roy Forbes (Bim), Layton Howerton, Goose Creek Symphony, Minglewood, Ryche Chlanda, Doug and the Slugs, Leonard and Lowe, Nancy Nash, Brandon Wolfe, Pointed Sticks, etc. While this documentary was very good from Loverboy and Bon Jovi's awesome albums forward, it's a shame the early years at Little Mountain Sound were all but ignored. They were exciting times as well, and very instrumental in developing the studios excellent worldwide reputation.

Wow! This was a great video. Thank you.

Very well done documentary. So much music history that lives on. So glad I watched it.

Great documentary! Pairs well with the excellent "Making of Pump by Aerosmith" doc.

Great piece of both Canadian and music history.

What an amazing story of and AWSOME Little studio !!!

Thank you Global!

Was at the studio between 95 and 96 when it was a rehearsal studio. Very inspirational to jam there knowing who was gracing those rooms. Great time in my life, never forget it

Certainly wish mention of Bob Brooks got more air time. I’m sure he was talked about but it ended up on the cutting room floor. Bob Brooks started managing the studio in 77, bought it in 82, and owned it until the sale in 92. He was a rare individual that naturally knew how to bestow value to his people and give them the support and space to grow and flourish. Bob Brooks was not least among those in the right place and time. He was the one calling the right moves at the right time. LMS would never have been what it became without him at the helm.

Interesting I never knew all the Rock Band we loved to listen to recorded most of there music so close to Seattle? So to find out it was in Vancouver Canada was a shock to me how many times we visited the bar scenes like Richards on Richards and other hot clubs and never had a clue that Vancouver B.C. was the Mecca for Rock Stars of our time? Great Documentary Thanks really enjoyed it. 👍😎

Great job Squire 👏👏👏👏

An outstanding Production! Thank You very much!

Ya Prism fan since '78 ... no idea B Rock engineerd until now... thanks for outstanding content

Thank you Squire! A Great Job and an important look at a segment of history.

Thanks Squire! That was really great!

Absolutely loved this! As one of the most avid hard rock listeners who loved the best production, Ken Lomas and Randy Staub are the unseen heroes of the later era so wish they were mentioned more. Along with Nigel Green , Mike Shipley and Bob Rock, they were the best mixers in the business in the 80s and made some awesome rock (just listen to Aerosmith’s Get A Grip and listen loud to the change from song 5 when Ken Lomas takes over mixing duties)!

Awesome job on this mini-doc. Little Mountain was legendary. I remember going there in the early 90s and hoping to catch a glimpse of certain rock stars. Sad it's gone. :(

That was fantastic, Squire. Great work!

Best times we all lived through

I recorded in studio B last year, great vibes!

Amazing to see where all the magic happened.

Fantastic. Thanks! ❤

Fantastic documentary. Thank you.

The doc is just mesmerizing 5 🌟

Great video. Thank you for capturing part of music history.

Fantastic! Thank you for not adding distracting music behind the interviews.

Excellent documentary.Thanks

I own every AC⚡️DC CD’s from the begging from high voltage to black ice

Awesome, thank you

Awesome!

This is awesome, great way to share the legend and the story! Keep doing this...nice to see some positivity!

Amazing documentary, please make more like this.

My own opinion is this is Order of BC and Order of Canada type stuff. So many songs and memories brought back by this documentary. BC and Canadian Legends through and through.

great flash back to an era of rock 'n roll of the grand 80s in Vancouver

Fantastic interviews and subject matter. 👌

Nice work, Mr. Squire Barnes.

Just to be clear.... Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album) is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on August 12, 1991, by Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles over an eight-month span that frequently found Metallica at odds with their new producer Bob Rock. So, it was not recorded at Little Mountain Studios. In the intro this album is shown but not recorded at this studio.

Love this.

Brian Johnson is English, from Newcastle.

This is what you call a STUDIO. Not some dude in his basement thinks he knows better . LIVE OFF THE FLOOR. THE BEST !😁👍🏻

Great jo Squire! Keep on creating content.

Excellent watch thanks for sharing

Great documentary. Thank you.

*With help from local Vancouver Producers Bob Rock or Bruce Fairbairn, clients of Little Mountain Sound studio included...* AC/DC - The Razors Edge (1990) Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation (1987) Aerosmith - Pump (1989) Aerosmith - Get A Grip (1993) Bryan Adams - Cuts Like A Knife (1983) Bryan Adams - Reckless (1984) Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (1986) Bon Jovi - New Jersey (1988) Bon Jovi - Keep The Faith (1992) The Cult - Sonic Temple (1989) David Lee Roth - A Little Ain't Enough (1991) D.O.A. - World War 3 (1978) single D.O.A. - The Prisoner (1979) single Honeymoon Suite - The Big Prize (1986) Loverboy - Loverboy (1980) Loverboy - Get Lucky (1981) Loverboy - Keep It Up (1983) Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood (1989) Metallica - Metallica (1991) Payolas - No Stranger To Danger (1982) Poison - Flesh & Blood (1990) Scorpions - Face The Heat (1993) Strange Advance - Worlds Away (1982) Van Halen - Balance (1995) Whitesnake - Whitesnake (1987)

this was great!! Thanks

Great video. I remember Little Mountain Studios from reading album liner notes back in the 80s. That was back in the day when reading the liner notes was a real thing, almost as important as listening to the albums.

This is 100% awesome!

I actually saw this by accident this morning on Global (it wasn't listed on the onscreen guide on Roger's cable), what a great documentary. And yes, I'd always walked past the building on the way to work on West 4th, didn't realize it was even a place where some killer records were recorded.

Very good documentary. As a musician growing up on Vancouver Island in the late 80's and early 90's the 'Little Mountain' mystique was very real. I never knew where it was physically located but we knew everyone that recorded there. We were actually very proud because the quality of recordings coming from Little Mountain were top tier for the era. It's such a cliche as to how the place went under. Someone that saw it was making money (nothing to do with the ownership of the property but because they had brilliant people that happened to be renting out that building) and decided they needed to TRIPLE what they were charging for rent! Well surprise surprise, they couldn't afford to pay their mortgage/rent so they went out of business. What a shocker!

I love docs like this.

GORGEOUS.

New Jersey album sound is really magic.

The equivalent of Sound City in LA. Such an important part of music history.

Great piece. Thanks for doing this. Should do one on Mushroom Studios, and another on the early Vancouver punk bands.

I recorded there with Randy Rampage three years ago. Webster engineered. Great room. Killer sound. The studio isn't gone. It still the same. Book some time there if your in a band. Amazing experience.

I recorded my first release there and did several albums after that. Great studio. Lot's of fun.

Lol have never listened to songs from this band before. But it seems like I gotta listen this now.

METALLICA wow thats awesome!

No love for Van Halen’s balance? That’s one of the best albums recorded there and the mix and master is incredible

Pretty cool history!!😎

Love it

A great story, in a great time. Rock music history!

Great doc!

AWESOME

The Skytrain chimes! A modern classic! 😏