The Beatles 50 Years Ago Today: July 10, 1969
The Beatles began recording of the Abbey Road song Maxwell's Silver Hammer on this date.
Over a week earlier, John Lennon and Yoko Ono had been in a car crash in Scotland, and this was his first session back after recuperating from the accident. Yoko's injuries were more severe and a huge double-bed was taken to the studio. An ambulance brought Yoko in and she was lowered down onto the bed, with a microphone over her in case she wanted to participate - Martine Benge, the studio technician remarked 'Now we've seen it all, folks!'
Maxwell's Silver Hammer had previously been performed the previous January during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions. Paul McCartney was convinced it was a potential single, but the rest of the group were less enthusiastic.
Aside from a Moog overdub in August, the song was completed in three consecutive sessions in July 1969. On this first day 16 takes of the backing track were recorded, with McCartney on piano and guide vocals, George Harrison playing bass guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums.
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