The Brill Building, located at 1619 Broadway in New York City, was a legendary music industry hub during the 1960s. The building housed a number of music publishing companies, recording studios, and songwriters, who collectively created some of the most iconic pop songs of the era. The Brill Building and the music it produced have since become synonymous with the “Brill Building sound.”

During the 1960s, the Brill Building was a bustling hub of activity, with music industry professionals working around the clock to churn out hit songs. The building was home to a number of publishing companies, including Aldon Music, which was run by Al Nevins and Don Kirshner. Aldon Music was responsible for discovering and nurturing the talents of many of the most successful songwriters of the era, including Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Neil Sedaka.

These songwriters, along with many others, would spend long hours in small cubicles writing songs for the many recording artists who were looking for their next big hit. The songwriters would often collaborate with each other, working on lyrics and melodies until they had created something truly special. Once a song was finished, it would be taken to one of the recording studios located in the building, where it would be recorded and produced.

Every day we squeezed into our respective cubby holes with just enough room for a piano, a bench, and maybe a chair for the lyricist if you were lucky.

Hit Songwriter Carole King

The Brill Building sound was characterized by its catchy melodies, simple chord progressions, and relatable lyrics. The songs were often written with a specific artist or group in mind, and were tailor-made to suit their style and image. Many of the songs produced at the Brill Building were performed by female artists, who were dominating the pop charts at the time. These artists included the likes of Lesley Gore, The Shirelles, The Crystals, and The Ronettes.

The Brill Building was also home to a number of successful male songwriters, including Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who wrote hits for artists like Dionne Warwick and The Fifth Dimension. Other notable Brill Building songwriters included Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, and Jeff Barry, who wrote some of the most enduring songs of the era, including “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and “Leader of the Pack.”

The Brill Building sound dominated the pop charts throughout the 1960s, and its influence can still be felt today. The songs produced at the Brill Building were simple, catchy, and easy to sing along to, making them incredibly popular with audiences around the world. They represented a golden era of American popular music, and continue to be cherished by fans of all ages.

What is the Brill Building today?

Though the building was designated an official landmark in 2010, it scarcely stands out these days on Broadway, especially without Colony Records. Its other retail space, where Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant did business from 1937 to 1974, is also dark.

The Brill Building is still home to three important show-business offices: Paul Simon, an inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame; Broadway Video Entertainment, a production, postproduction, marketing and distribution company led by Lorne Michaels; and Key Brand Entertainment, which develops touring theatrical productions.

New York Times