Trident Studios, St Anne’s Court, London
Producer: George Martin
Engineer: Barry Sheffield
Having recorded the basic rhythm track for ‘Hey Jude’ the previous day, The Beatles finished the recording during this 5pm-3am session.
The session took place at Trident Studios in London’s Soho, which had been chosen for its eight-track recording facilities. Overdubs added to take one included lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, tambourine, handclaps, and a 36-piece orchestra.
The orchestra featured 10 violins, three violas, three cellos, two flutes, contrabassoon, bassoon, two clarinets, contrabass clarinet, four trumpets, four trombones, two horns, two string basses and percussion.
The session musicians were also asked, for a double fee, to clap their hands and contribute backing vocals; one musician reportedly refused, saying: “I’m not going to clap my hands and sing Paul McCartney’s bloody song!”
Also on this day...
- 2019: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: The Colosseum, Windsor
- 2011: Paul McCartney live: Wrigley Field, Chicago
- 2010: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Cuthbert Amphitheater, Eugene
- 2009: Paul McCartney live: FedEx Field, Landover
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio
- 2001: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh
- 1995: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: IC Light Amphitheatre, Pittsburgh
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Champs De Brionne Music Theatre, George
- 1973: Recording: I Know (I Know), Rock N Roll People, Tight A$ by John Lennon
- 1972: Wings live: KB Hallen, Copenhagen
- 1971: Live: The Concert For Bangla Desh
- 1969: Recording: Because
- 1967: George and Pattie Harrison fly to Los Angeles
- 1966: Interview: David Frost At The Phonograph
- 1965: Television: Blackpool Night Out
- 1963: Radio: Pop Go The Beatles
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Paul-Fender Jazz bass. George-tamborine.
Sorry, but according to https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/session/recording-hey-jude/, Ringo was the one playing the tambourine plus photographs show him at Trident.
You are correct that Paul used his Fender Jazz Bass, presumably for the first time, and I don’t get all this nonsense about him banning George from playing any guitar on the song at all, because George’s guitar was still included in the final mix.
It has often been erroneously stated that George played Fender Bass VI on the studio recording, because he did so on the David Frost Show performance, but in reality, it was Paul with his left-handed Fender Jazz Bass, which George obviously couldn’t have played.