Bruce Robb is an American musician, record producer, engineer, and music supervisor. He is most recognized for his time as a member of “The Robbs” during the 1960s, then as a founder of Cherokee Studios in the 1970s; followed by decades of producing, engineering and recording with artists like Mos Def, Macy Gray, Henry Rollins, Steve Vai, The Lemonheads, John Mellencamp, Steve Cropper, Ringo Starr, Etta James, Art Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Del Shannon, and Wilson Pickett amongst others.
By 1969, The Robbs now calling themselves “Cherokee” had settled on a ranch in Chatsworth, California. With the help of friends Roger Nichols and Toby Foster, the band converted their barn into an artist-owned recording studio. Bruce was particularly enthusiastic about the idea because he had always disliked the sterile vibe in the studios of the era.
The studio’s first clients started with friends like Del Shannon, who brought Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra to the facility. As word spread about the facility other artists of note – Little Richard, Bob Crewe, Michael McDonald and others – came to the studio to record. Then, Nichols recorded Steely Dan’s “Pretzel Logic,” which resulted in the studio, now known as “Cherokee Ranch”, earning their first gold record. All the while, Bruce was honing his skills as an engineer and producer under the tutelage of his brother Dee.
In ’74, an eviction for running an “illegal home studio” prompted the Robbs to purchase the former MGM Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The clients of Cherokee Studios included David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and each one of the Beatles.
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