Recording: Come Together

Studios Two and Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineers: Geoff Emerick, Phil McDonald

The recording of John Lennon's main contribution to the Abbey Road album, Come Together, was begun on this day.

The backing track was recorded in eight takes in Studio Three, in a session lasting from 2.30-9.30pm. Unusually for 1969, four-track tape was used.

Paul McCartney's bass guitar was recorded onto track one, George Harrison played rhythm guitar onto the second, and Ringo Starr's drums were recorded onto track three.

Lennon's guide vocals were taped onto track four, and he also shook a tambourine during the guitar solo and coda. His voice was suffering for him not having sung anything significant since Give Peace A Chance was recorded on 1 June 1969. At one stage in the session his vocals appeared to give out altogether, despite some spirited performances.

From 9.30-10pm take eight of Come Together was copied over to eight-track tape in the control room of Studio Two.