Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Phil McDonald
George Harrison’s second song for Abbey Road, ‘Here Comes The Sun’, was begun during this 2.30-11.45pm recording session.
The session took place without John Lennon, who was recuperating from a car accident in Scotland. The other three members of The Beatles recorded 13 takes of the backing track of ‘Here Comes The Sun’, on what was also Ringo Starr’s 29th birthday.
Take 13 – announced as “take 12 and a half” for superstitious reasons – was judged to be the best attempt, and featured Harrison on a Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar and guide vocals, Paul McCartney on Rickenbacker bass guitar, and Starr on drums. In the final hour of the session Harrison taped an additional guitar part using the same J-200.
Take nine from the same session was included on some formats of the 50th anniversary reissue of Abbey Road.
Work on ‘Here Comes The Sun’ continued on the following day.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Paul McCartney live: Telenor Arena, Oslo, Norway
- 2014: Paul McCartney live: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 2013: Paul McCartney live: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Canada
- 2010: Paul McCartney joins Ringo Starr onstage at Radio City Music Hall, New York
- 2010: Ringo Starr celebrates 70th birthday with peace and love
- 1969: US single release: Give Peace A Chance by Plastic Ono Band
- 1967: UK single release: All You Need Is Love
- 1966: The Beatles go sightseeing in India
- 1964: Television: Top Of The Pops, Scene At 6.30
- 1963: Live: ABC Theatre, Blackpool
- 1962: Live: Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight
- 1960: Live: The Institute, Neston, Wirral
- 1940: Ringo Starr is born
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.