Artists including Paul McCartney lobbied against the sale of Abbey Road Studios, while Andrew Lloyd Webber, who recorded several of his musicals at the studio, showed interest in purchasing it. However, EMI revealed they’re instead considering having the location listed by the preservation body English Heritage, which would make a sale of the studio difficult because of its historical significance. “When Terra Firma acquired EMI in 2007, it made the preservation of Abbey Road a priority,” EMI said.

The gap between Massive Attack albums get larger and larger, although the British act’s career span lengthens and the fans stay with them. Massive Attack’s much-delayed “Heligoland” (Virgin) is the 5th studio album across their two-decade career.

EMI puts Beatles’ studios up for sale at £30m (or $46m) The Abbey Road studios made famous by The Beatles are in danger of closure after they were put up for sale by the music group EMI, which is currently struggling with huge debts. The digital revolution has lead to new artists releasing hits from their bedrooms, and many people question whether there is a role for large corporate studios. Also worth mentioning the Abbey Road site is likely to be more valuable than the studios themselves.

The sell-off comes as EMI’s private equity owner Terra Firma prepares to ask its own investors ask for an extra £150m to bail out the company. Terra Firma bought EMI in 2007 for £4.2 billion, saddling the music business with more than £2.6 billion of debt. EMI lost £1.75bn last year and Terra Firma’s high profile boss Guy Hands last week conceded the investment is now worthless.

EMI bought Abbey Road Studio in St John’s Wood for £100,000 in 1929.