When did Terry Manning find Studio Six in Memphis? Details explored as the music producer dies at 77

Terry Manning was a renowned musician, producer, recording engineer, and photographer. He died due to an accidental fall at his home in El Paso, Texas, on March 25, 2025.

Terry was a jack-of-all-trades and worked with several icons and bands during his lifetime. These legends include Shania Twain, Jason and the Scorchers, Rhino Bucket, Shakira, The Tragically Hip, Led Zeppelin, and Big Star.

Terry Manning established his studio, Studio Six, in Memphis in 1988, where he worked with big names like Joe Walsh, George Thorogood, and Joe Cocker. His career spanned over fifty years, during which he worked on hundreds of recordings and became well-known in the industry for his fine techniques.

The establishment of Terry Manning's Studio Six and more details explored

Terry was born in Oklahoma City, and his fondness for music grew while he was in El Paso, Texas. Manning slowly began his musical career, starting as a guitarist and working with several local bands. One of those bands was Bobby Fuller’s band. However, Manning wanted more than that, which led him to move to Memphis.

In Memphis, Terry worked as a producer, mixer, and recording engineer for Stax Records and Ardent Studios. These were the two places that honed his skills while he was young. When he was at Stax Records, as a teenager with little knowledge, he began by learning to mix landmark releases from William Bell, the Bar-Kays, Sam & Dave, and Albert King.

In 1966, Terry Manning became friends with guitarist Jimmy Page during a U.S. tour. Page later involved Terry in the final mixing of Led Zeppelin III. Although he was initially uncredited, Page ensured that Terry eventually received his due recognition. Terry also worked under Al Bell, the co-owner of Stax Records, and contributed to some classic soul group recordings, including Respect Yourself and I'll Take You There (1972).

In 1970, Manny released his solo album Home Sweet Home under the Stax Enterprise label. In 1971, after Ardent Records was founded, Terry persuaded John Fry to sign the band Big Star. Their debut album, #1 Record, became a major hit, with Terry playing a significant role in its success. He contributed to keyboards, backing vocals, and production.

In the mid-1980s, he moved to London and worked at Abbey Road Studios for a year. In 1988, he founded Studio Six, which operated for four years and hosted legendary artists, including Johnny Winter and Molly Hatchet.

In the mid-1990s, Terry founded Lucky Seven Records, through which he released music in R&B, soul, blues, and rock. He released Heaven Knows in 2015, Planets in 2016, Playin' in Elvis' House in 2019, and his most recent album, Red and Black, in January 2025.

Terry Manning's photography career

Along with music, Terry Manning was deeply involved in photography. In 1960, William Eggleston mentored Terry and introduced him to other photographers. He worked with notable artists such as William Christenberry and Diane Arbus.

Terry enjoyed taking pictures of musicians, including Jimi Hendrix and Chuck Berry. He also worked as a writer and photographer for New Musical Express (NME), and he even photographed Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

Terry was 77 years old and is survived by his wife and children.