Mixing: Lady Madonna, Rain, Octopus’s Garden

Studio Two (control room), EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Geoff Emerick

In preparation for the release of the US compilation Hey Jude, stereo mixes of two of the songs were prepared on this day.

The songs were ‘Lady Madonna’ and ‘Rain’, which had previously only been mixed in mono. Each was mixed just once in this 2.30-5.30pm session.

Hey Jude album artwork

A new stereo mix of ‘Octopus’s Garden’ was also made, but for a different purpose. Ringo Starr had agreed to take part in an hour-long television special about George Martin, With A Little Help From My Friends, which was shown in the UK on 24 and 26 December 1969.

The mix of ‘Octopus’s Garden’ omitted The Beatles’ bass guitar, lead guitar and piano, plus most of the vocals. These were re-recorded – with Starr and three session musicians – on 8 December at EMI Studios. The reason for this was a Musicians’ Union ban on miming to records; because the new parts were different from those on Abbey Road, it was enough to fool the union into thinking the show contained a live take.

Last updated: 7 July 2022
Television: 24 Hours: The World Of John And Yoko – day one
George Harrison live: Colston Hall, Bristol with Delaney & Bonnie
Also on this day...

Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

Latest Comments

  1. Woody Monday 25 June 2012
  2. Jose Rivera Saturday 6 November 2021

Leave a Reply