My Life as a Studio Wife: A Lifetime of Love and Music with Bruce Swedien

"This book gives an insight into one of the most irrepressible, high-spirited people I know." - Quincy Jones

"Don't ever bring your wife to the studio!" they said-advice Bruce Swedien, five-time Grammy-winner and legendary engineer behind Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Jennifer Lopez, and more, cheerfully ignored. His wife, Bea, became a beloved presence in the control room for decades. Part music memoir, part love story, My Life as a Studio Wife shares Bea's unforgettable journey-from a childhood in the jungles of India to the glittering red carpets of the Grammy Awards. Her life with Bruce was a dazzling blend of music, world travel, horses, Great Danes, big boats, family and friends.

Packed with insider stories, laughter, and heart, the book also includes Bea's recipes for the Swedish meatballs and sugar cookies that stopped recording sessions in their tracks. Quincy said "So good they make you wanna hurt yourself!"

Author: Bea Swedien
Publisher: Westviking Press
Published: 08/11/2025
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.61d
ISBN: 9798218683795

About the Author
Swedien, Bea: - "Bea Swedien was a beloved presence in the studios during the making of some of the biggest hit records in music history with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Jennifer Lopez, and many more. Married to five-time Grammy-winning engineer Bruce Swedien, she had a front-row seat which she shares in her new book "My Life as a Studio Wife". From "Thriller" and "Bad" to Chicago jazz sessions and big band legends, Bea witnessed it all. Her first book, "Under the Red Blanket", tells the story of her childhood among former headhunters in Northeast India during the time of the British Raj and World War II. In "My Life as a Studio Wife", she shares behind-the-scenes stories of an extraordinary life with warmth, humor, and heart. Long before Grammy's and gold records, Bea and Bruce were already a fearless team, starting out when they were only eighteen. They built a studio in Minneapolis, then moved on to Chicago where Bruce recorded jazz greats like Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington, and then to LA, where he helped shape some of the most iconic albums in pop history. Bruce's voice is in the book too, through his reflections on the recording craft he loved. Bea brought her smile, her jungle stories, and her legendary sugar cookies to the studio - treats that literally stopped the tape. Horses, Great Danes, big boats, world travel, friends, and family completed the picture of their life together. Now living in Florida, Bea shares her candid, loving tribute to a lifelong partnership and a singular era in music history-complete with recipes for her famous Swedish meatballs and sugar cookies. Quincy said, "So good they make you wanna hurt yourself!""Jones, Quincy: - Quincy Jones: Quincy Jones was a legendary music producer, composer, and humanitarian. A 28-time Grammy Award winner, he collaborated with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and countless others. He was Bruce Swedien's longtime creative partner and dear friend, and wrote the foreword to My Life as a Studio Wife.Massey, Howard: - Howard Massey: Howard Massey is an author, editor, and music industry veteran known for his work with artists, engineers, and producers. He edited numerous music-related books and co-authored Here, There and Everywhere with Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. He served as editor for My Life as a Studio Wife.