Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: Chris Thomas
Engineer: Ken Scott
The Beatles began the recording of ‘Glass Onion’, the third song on the White Album, during this 7pm-3.30am session.
Thirty-four takes of the rhythm track were recorded, with John Lennon on acoustic guitar, George Harrison on electric guitar, Paul McCartney playing bass, and Ringo Starr on drums.
Each take was roughly the same length, apart from take 15 which became a six-minute jam. The group’s penultimate attempt, take 33, was considered the best, and overdubs began the following day.
Also on this day...
- 2018: Ringo Starr live: Fraze Pavilion, Kettering, Ohio
- 2017: Paul McCartney live: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
- 1969: Mixing: What’s The New Mary Jane
- 1967: Filming: Magical Mystery Tour
- 1964: Live: Gator Bowl, Jacksonville
- 1964: George Harrison buys Mornyork Ltd
- 1963: Recording: I Wanna Be Your Man, Little Child, All I’ve Got To Do, Not A Second Time, Don’t Bother Me
- 1962: Recording: PS I Love You, Love Me Do, Please Please Me
- 1961: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1960: Live: Indra Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Here’s some trivia: according to this page, Ringo received his Ludwig Hollywood drum kit at the session and set it up alongside his existing Black Oyster pearl bass drum, so it meant that he used his so-called hybrid double bass kit on “Glass Onion”, not his 4-piece Ludwig Black Oyster Pearl kit.
I’m pretty sure that he used the hybrid double bass kit for the remaining White Album sessions and I don’t think he used the 4-piece Black Oyster Pearl kit again with The Beatles.