Studio Three - EMI Studios

The Beatles visit to India to study under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was imminent, John and George flying out on February 15th, Paul and Ringo four days later. As they weren't due to return until late April, they decided to record a new single for release in absentia in Mid-March. As it happened, this concentrated series of sessions, ending on February 11th, was more productive than expected and realized four new songs, all mixed and ready for issue.

The first of these was Paul's "Lady Madonna". Three piano drum takes were recorded the Beatles overdubbed bass, fuzz guitars, drums and lead and backing vocals.

Television Rehearsal Rooms, London

While Ringo was engaged in more daytime rehearsals for Cilla, George Martin was working at Abbey Road making a copy of the "Only A Northern Song" vocal track, presumably to aid his incidental soundtrack contribution to Yellow Submarine, now approaching completion.

This day's copy of Harrison's vocals was most likely to help in the construction of certain sections in the score.

None of The Beatles were present for this session, which took place from 12.00-1pm in the control room of Abbey Road's Studio Two.

Television Rehearsal Rooms, Victoria Rd. North Acton, London

Off camera daytime rehearsals for Ringo at the BBC's specially designated premises in North Acton, West London, running through with Cilla Black his guest appearance in her TV series, set for live broadcast the following Tuesday evening.

On this last day of the month, the Beatles took a break.

In UK Hello Goodbye by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits.

The #1 song in the US on January 29, 1968

We Can Work It Out - The Beatles

The Beatles are taking a break.

Radio: The Kenny Everett Show

John Lennon gave an interview on this day to Kenny Everett, for the presenter's BBC Radio 1 show.

It took place at Kenwood, Lennon's home in Weybridge. Everett took a tape recorder to the house, and recorded the interview in the morning.

In the recording, Lennon appears either tired or under the influence of drugs. He attempts to explain the lyrics to Strawberry Fields Forever, but has trouble remembering the song. He does, however, admit that the song took so long to complete that he lost perspective on its meaning, but was gradually realising that it reflected his confused state of mind at the time.

The interview was broadcast eight days later on The Kenny Everett Show, on Sunday February 4th from 10am to midday.

In UK Hello Goodbye by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits.

The Beatles film their Yellow Submarine appearance

All four Beatles were at Twickenham Film Studios on this day to record an on-screen appearance for the end of the Yellow Submarine film. The sequence was carefully scripted, although The Beatles' natural charm recalled the witticisms of their early press conferences, group interviews and fan club recordings.Filming took place following a series of test-runs and camera rehearsals. The sequence was shown towards end of the film, to introduce All Together Now and the closing credits.

The Beatles are taking a break today.

The Beatles are taking a break today.

Apple opens offices at 95 Wigmore Street, London

Keen to expand their new business empire, The Beatles signed a one-year lease for office space for Apple on this day at 95 Wigmore Street, London.

They opened offices on the fourth floor of the building, and spent a great deal of time in the building during the first part of 1968.

Unfortunately for The Beatles, Apple's staff were unable to play records during office hours in case they disturbed the other tenants in the building. This was one of the reasons why they relocated to 3 Savile Row on 15 July, although some parts of Apple remained based at Wigmore Street until their lease expired.

In the UK Hello Goodbye by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits. 

In the UK Hello Goodbye by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits.

The number one song on the UK Singles Chart on January 19, 1968 was Hello, Goodbye by The Beatles ...

Grapefruit Party

January 18, 1968 - Paul McCartney & Jane Asher with Cynthia & John Lennon at the press reception launching Apple Corps newest act, The Grapefruit, and celebrating the release of their first record, Dear Delilah (January 19th). Ringo & Maureen also attended, but George was away in India.

The Beatles taking a break today.

The Beatles enjoying a break today.

In UK Hello Goodbye by The Beatles was in the top 5 hits.

George Harrison (left) and British actress RitaTushingham listen as British film star Michael York (right) strums on a sitar in Bombay, India on January 14, 1968.

The #1 song in the US on January 13, 1968

Hello, Goodbye - The Beatles

Recording: The Inner Light, Wonderwall Music

EMI Recording Studio, Bombay, India
Producer: George Harrison
Engineers: JP Sen, SN Gupta

George Harrison had flown to India on January 7, 1968 to record the soundtrack for the film Wonderwall. The sessions took place from 9-13 January in Bombay (Mumbai). Work was mostly complete by January 12th.

Keen to maximise the use of his studio time, Harrison recorded a number of additional ragas, which he thought might be suitable for future Beatles recordings. One of these, recorded on this day, became The Inner Light.

The instrumental track was taped in five takes, and was completed back in London on February 6th and 8th 1968. The Bombay musicians included Ashish Khan (sarod), ahapurush Misra (tabla and pakavaj), Sharad Jadev and Hanuman Jadev (shanhais), Shambu-Das, Indril Bhattacharya and Shankar Ghosh (sitar), Chandra Shakher (sur-bahar), Shiv Kumar Sharmar (santorr), SR Kenkare and Hari Prasad Chaurasia (flute), Vinayak Vohra (taar shehnai) and Rijram Desad (dholak, harmonium and tabla-tarang).

The Bombay sessions took place at EMI Recording Studios, based at the Universal Insurance Building, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Rd, Fort, Bombay 400001.

The #1 song in the US on January 11, 1968

Hello, Goodbye - The Beatles

Recording: Wonderwall Music by George Harrison

EMI Recording Studio, Bombay, India
Producer: George Harrison
Engineers: JP Sen, SN Gupta

George Harrison had flown to India on 7 January 1968 to record the soundtrack for the film Wonderwall. The second session took place on this day.

The sessions began on 9 January in Bombay (Mumbai), and the soundtrack was mostly complete by 12 January.

On this day Harrison invited camera crews in to film proceedings. Reuters filmed around 45 seconds of colour footage, and BBC News shot slightly less. In the silent footage the musicians are believed to have been working on the track Fantasy Sequins.

The musicians included Ashish Khan (sarod), ahapurush Misra (tabla and pakavaj), Sharad Jadev and Hanuman Jadev (shanhais), Shambu-Das, Indril Bhattacharya and Shankar Ghosh (sitar), Chandra Shakher (sur-bahar), Shiv Kumar Sharmar (santorr), SR Kenkare and Hari Prasad Chaurasia (flute), Vinayak Vohra (taar shehnai) and Rijram Desad (dholak, harmonium and tabla-tarang).

The Bombay sessions took place at EMI Recording Studios, based at the Universal Insurance Building, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Rd, Fort, Bombay 400001.

JOHN-LENNON-Cover-by-Avedon-The-BEATLES-Pullout-Poster.

People in US were listening to Hello Goodbye by The Beatles.

Recording: Wonderwall Music by George Harrison

EMI Recording Studio, Bombay, India
Producer: George Harrison
Engineers: JP Sen, SN Gupta

George Harrison had flown to India on 7 January 1968 to record the soundtrack for the film Wonderwall. The second session took place on this day.

The sessions began on 9 January in Bombay (Mumbai), and the soundtrack was mostly complete by 12 January.

On this day Harrison invited camera crews in to film proceedings. Reuters filmed around 45 seconds of colour footage, and BBC News shot slightly less. In the silent footage the musicians are believed to have been working on the track Fantasy Sequins.

The musicians included Ashish Khan (sarod), ahapurush Misra (tabla and pakavaj), Sharad Jadev and Hanuman Jadev (shanhais), Shambu-Das, Indril Bhattacharya and Shankar Ghosh (sitar), Chandra Shakher (sur-bahar), Shiv Kumar Sharmar (santorr), SR Kenkare and Hari Prasad Chaurasia (flute), Vinayak Vohra (taar shehnai) and Rijram Desad (dholak, harmonium and tabla-tarang).

The Bombay sessions took place at EMI Recording Studios, based at the Universal Insurance Building, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta Rd, Fort, Bombay 400001.

Top 20 Song Chart for January 6, 1968

1 - Hello Goodbye - The Beatles

2 - Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) - John Fred & His Playboy Band

3 - I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & The Pips

4 - Woman, Woman - The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett

5 - Daydream Believer - The Monkees
 
6 - Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin

7 Bend Me, Shape Me - The American Breed

8 - I Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

9 - Storybook Children -  Billy Vera & Judy Clay

10 - Honey Chile - Martha Reeves And The Vandellas

11 - Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers

12 - You Better Sit Down Kids - Cher

13 - Monterey - Eric Burdon And The Animals

14 - It's Wonderful - The Young Rascals

15 - Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers
 
16 - I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me) - James Brown And The Famous Flames

17 - If I Could Build My Whole World Around You - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

18 - Susan - The Buckinghams

19 - Different Drum - Stone Poneys Featuring Linda Ronstadt

20 - Come See About Me -Jr. Walker & The All Stars

The Beatles' movie "Magical Mystery Tour" is broadcast by BBC2 in the UK, in color (it had been broadcast in black and white on December 26, 1967, by BBC1). The critical response remains almost wholly negative.

Also, George Harrison in the recording studio (Studio Two, EMI Studios, London). Producing another Wonderwall recording session. George does not play any instrument on the soundtrack.