The day after their arrival in Los Angeles, Paul McCartney and Mal Evans spent the day shopping at Century Plaza, where Evans bought a talking pillow.
In the afternoon the pair visited John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas And The Papas. After a while McCartney left alone to meet The Beach Boys, leaving Evans with the Phillipses.
At the time Brian Wilson was working on the song ‘Vegetables’, or ‘Vega-Tables’, which was intended for the Smile album but eventually released on Smiley Smile. McCartney was recorded chewing celery.
The night before a big tour, I was out in the studio recording the vocal when, to my surprise, Paul McCartney walked in and joined Brian at the console. And, briefly, the two most influential musical Geminis in the world had a chance to work together. I remember waiting for long periods of time between takes to get to the next section or verse. Brian lost track of the session. Paul would come on the talkback and say something like ‘Good take, Al.’
Al Jardine
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
McCartney also performed on an unreleased version of ‘On Top Of Old Smokey’. Shortly after midnight he arrived back at the Phillipses’ house.
Last updated: 25 November 2022
Also on this day...
- 2011: The Beatles’ first contract to be auctioned
- 1970: George Harrison is interviewed for the BBC’s Fact Or Fantasy
- 1970: The Beatles’ final press release
- 1970: Paul McCartney announces The Beatles’ split
- 1965: Television: Top Of The Pops
- 1964: US album release: The Beatles’ Second Album
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: Live: Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead
- 1962: Stuart Sutcliffe dies
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Paul McCartney: Professional celery player
And Super Furry Animals had him reprise his celery and carrot playing on Receptacle for the Respectable, which I think was pretty darn cute.