Studio One, Olympic Sound Studios, London
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Eddie Kramer
On 18 May 1967 a contract was signed committing The Beatles to represent the BBC and Britain in a worldwide satellite broadcast on Sunday 25 June. They were to be shown performing an especially-written song: ‘All You Need Is Love’.
Unable to book space at EMI Studios at short notice, the group assembled at Olympic Sound Studios in Barnes, London, on this day to record the rhythm track. They mostly used unfamiliar instruments: John Lennon played harpsichord; Paul McCartney used a double bass; George Harrison played a violin; and Ringo Starr was on drums.
The Beatles recorded 33 takes, but felt that take 10 was the best. A reduction mix was then made, with all instruments copied onto track one of a new four-track tape.
Also on this day...
- 2014: Ringo Starr live: Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, Connecticut
- 2013: Paul McCartney live: Bonnaroo Festival
- 2011: John Lennon autographed Double Fantasy sells for £23,000
- 1969: Television: John Lennon and Yoko Ono on The David Frost Show
- 1966: Recording: Here, There And Everywhere
- 1965: Recording: I’ve Just Seen A Face, I’m Down, Yesterday
- 1965: US album release: Beatles VI
- 1964: Ringo rejoins The Beatles in Australia
- 1964: Ringo Starr gives a press conference in Sydney, Australia
- 1963: Live: Mersey Beat Showcase, Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Wallasey
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Frankly, it made a nice change for The Beatles to play different instruments and it gave another interesting dimension to their sound of 1967.
John played the harpsichord, Paul played the double bass and George played the violin while Ringo played the drums, but this was not the first time where Paul played a double bass, as he was photographed posing with one at Abbey Road Studios two years earlier while making “Help!”. I’m not sure if he owned the bass or if it just happened to be there in the studio that day.
He certainly was not using Bill Black’s double bass, because he didn’t own it yet, and he considers it one of his most prized possessions.