John Mayer and producer reportedly spend $45m buying LA film lot used for The Muppets

John Mayer has allegedly splashed out millions on the Muppets film studio lot, purchasing it from The Jim Henson Company alongside producer and director McG (Joseph McGinty Nichol).

With Mayer reportedly set to oversee the recording studio, McG will supposedly take care of other facilities within the space. Though the lot was formerly known as A&M Studios from 1967 until 1999, it was originally established by actor Charlie Chaplin back in 1919.

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The space has been utilised by artists such as Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’ Roses, and many more across its lifetime. After A&M’s run of the studios came to a close in 1999, the children of Jim Henson – who created The Muppets – purchased the lot for $12.5 million. It then served as the new headquarters for The Jim Henson Company.

According to Bang Showbiz, sources with “direct knowledge” have told TMZ that Mayer and McG spent around $45 million for the lot, despite previous reports claiming they would need around $60 million. The pair will reportedly keep the same staff members, but are “keen to change the name of the lot”.

Mayer has “a longstanding connection to the studio”, as he has previously recorded music there including his 2021 album Sob Rock, and has offices in the building. A representative for Mayer commented back in December that the pair were “under contract to purchase Henson Studios”, though there is yet to be official confirmation from either creative.

With Mayer’s long, esteemed music career, it will be interesting to see just how the studios go on to evolve should the purchase be official. Back in October, Mayer opened up on the difficulties of life on the road and how extensive touring can impact mental health.

In a conversation with Shawn Mendes for Interview Magazine, he shared, “It’s an away game. I’ve brought the blanket, I’ve brought the candle, I’ve brought all these things I thought were going to work, but I didn’t bring the unifying mass that was supposed to come with me, which is the comfort I have at home.”

He later added, “People don’t understand, because we get paid very well to manage this stuff, but when you get burnt out, nothing helps.”