Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Ken Scott
The Beatles began work on ‘Good Night’, the White Album’s final track, on this day.
The session began at 7pm and finished at 4.30am the following morning. It began with a number of rehearsals which were committed to tape.
One of the rehearsals was included on 1996’s Anthology 3. It features Ringo Starr on vocals, John Lennon playing piano, and George Harrison keeping time on a shaker.
The Beatles recorded five proper takes of ‘Good Night’ during this session, featuring just Starr’s vocals and Lennon’s acoustic guitar. Lead and backing vocals were added onto the last of these on 2 July 1968.
Last updated: 6 July 2022
Also on this day...
- 2019: Paul McCartney live: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: WiZink Center, Madrid
- 2016: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Paramount Theatre, Denver
- 2014: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Chicago Theatre, Chicago
- 2011: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Sportaréna, Budapest
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Etess Arena, Atlantic City
- 2006: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Starlight Theater, Pala
- 2000: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver
- 1995: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Hamamatsu-shi Kyouiku Bunka Kaikan, Hamamatsu
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Sandstone Amphitheatre, Bonner Springs
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: King’s Dock, Liverpool
- 1974: UK single release: Band On The Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
- 1967: George Harrison is fined for speeding
- 1966: Travel: Alaska to Tokyo
- 1965: The Beatles live: Teatro Adriano, Rome, Italy
- 1964: Travel: New Zealand to Australia
- 1963: The Beatles live: Queen’s Hall, Leeds
- 1962: The Beatles live: Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
The personnel for the rehearsal take from “Anthology” are incorrect- George Martin plays the piano on that take, as his voice is clearly audible on the studio floor with Paul and George, as Ringo chats with Lennon in the control room.
In the track on Anthology, it sounds as if George Martin is speaking to another person playing the piano. The playing sounds too sophisticated to be John Lennon. Could it be Chris Thomas, perhaps?
I’d be interested to know if Lennon’s original demo of this song has ever surfaced. It was mentioned by Geoff Emerick as being a great demo but he said it was lost..possibly by Ringo?