Capricorn Sound Studios

Capricorn Records was a pioneering record label founded by Phil Walden and Jerry Wexler (of Atlantic Records) in the late 1960s. Based in Macon, Georgia, the label played a crucial role in shaping the Southern rock and soul sound of the era. Walden, known for his success as a booking agent and manager for soul artists like Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, and Sam and Dave, shifted his focus to record production and founded Capricorn to house his stable of talent.

The studio, Capricorn Sound Studios, was established in downtown Macon, and a session band featuring talented musicians like Duane Allman, Pete Carr, Johnny Sandlin, and Paul Hornsby was assembled to back the artists. The label quickly gained recognition with hits like "Hey Jude" by Wilson Pickett, featuring Duane Allman's guitar work.

The label's pinnacle success came with the rise of the Allman Brothers Band, whom Capricorn Records heavily supported as its flagship band. Despite the tragic loss of Duane Allman and Berry Oakley in separate motorcycle accidents, the band persevered and achieved immense popularity with albums like "Brothers and Sisters."

In the late 1970s, Capricorn faced challenges due to changes in the music industry and the departure of its major acts. It declared bankruptcy in 1980 after a joint venture with Warner Brothers collapsed. Despite its eventual closure, Capricorn's legacy endures as a pioneering force in Southern rock and beyond. In the 1990s, Phil Walden revived the label, signing acts like Widespread Panic, 311, and Cake, further contributing to its impact on the music scene.