Updated: January 2, 2018

THE MUSIC PIONEER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND HAS DIED. ACCORDING TO THE TIMES DAILY, RICK HALL, THE FOUNDER OF FAME RECORDING STUDIOS, DIED IN HIS HOME EARLY THIS MORNING. HE WAS 85. ALABAMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME BOARD MEMBER, JUDY HOOD, ADVISED HALL HAD BEEN LIVING IN A LOCAL NURSING HOME BUT HAD RETURNED HOME BEFORE CHRISTMAS. SHE WENT ON TO EXPRESS THAT TODAY IS A SAD DAY FOR MUSCLE SHOALS AND FOR MUSIC IN GENERAL.