Record Plant, New York City
Producers: John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Phil Spector
John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded the Some Time In New York City song ‘Angela’ on 23 February 1972.
‘Angela’ was written in support of Angela Davis, a Black Panther supporter who was tried and eventually acquitted for suspected involvement in the murder of Judge Harold Haley in California.
Angela Davis was arrested as a suspected accomplice in the kidnap and murder of Superior Court Judge Harold Haley on 7 August 1970. Firearms used in the incident had been purchased in her name two days before; a warrant for her arrest was issued, and on 18 August she became the third woman to appear on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.
The murder occurred when a courtroom at the Marin County Civic Center was held up by 17-year-old Jonathan Jackson, who freed three San Quentin prisoners. Haley and four others were taken hostage, and he was killed by a sawn-off shotgun.
Davis fled California and spent more than two months on the run before being captured in New York City. At her trial in 1972 the jury returned a not guilty verdict, deciding that her ownership of the guns did not establish culpability for the plot.
During her incarceration Lennon and Ono wrote the words for ‘Angela’ to show their support, but she was released by the time the album was released.
‘Angela’ was recorded and mixed during this session, although strings were added on 18 March and the song was mixed again the following day.