Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono
Engineer: Dave Corlett
The first version of ‘Cold Turkey’, the second single by the Plastic Ono Band, was recorded on 25 September 1969.
The session took place from 7pm-1.30am, with John Lennon producing. Lennon also sang and played guitar, and was joined by Eric Clapton on guitar, Klaus Voormann on bass guitar, Ringo Starr on drums and Yoko Ono on vocals.
Twenty-six takes of the song were recorded, with Lennon singing a guide vocal as the group played the backing track. The final take, which lasted 5:10, was considered the best.
The three multitrack tapes recorded on this day were scrapped on 16 March 1972, so no outtakes from the session are known to exist. The only multitrack for ‘Cold Turkey’ in EMI’s vault comes from a session at Trident Studios three days later.