Music History

It Was About Fifty Years Ago Today That Sgt. Pepper Tried to Teach the Band to Play This

June 1 will be the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the dividing line between the rock’n’roll of the 50s and 60s and the rock that was to come. If we rewind back a little further to February 1-2, 1967, we’d find the band working with George Martin in studio 2 of Abbey Road. Virtually every scrap of tape used during those sessions was saved. Come May 29, many of the outtakes from those weeks in the studio will be included on a special reissue of the album.

Here’s an example. This is take 9–the final attempt–of the rhythm section and guitars for the track. French horns and other effects would be added on March 3 with the finishing touches of the orchestra tuning up included on March 6. Listen right to the end to hear a speech by Paul that was ultimately discarded. Click on the image to get started.

 

 

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38022 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

Let us know what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.