See the Beatles record 'All You Need Is Love' at Abbey Road

In June 1967, the biggest band in the world descended on Abbey Road for a live recording of their brand new single, 'All You Need Is Love'. Photographer David Magnus was there to capture it

Lonely Heart Club Band

Paul, George, Ringo and John line up for a photo session at the EMI studio. The vast studio 1 at EMI Abbey Road had been partitioned off into a smaller area were The Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” This smaller area was decorated with balloons, statues, flowers, streamers and various outlandish decorations to give a party atmosphere to the recording studio.

The Walrus

John Lennon during their live recording of 'All You Need Is Love' for the 'Our World' worldwide television recording. The Beatles wanted to appear as if they were having a fun party during the broadcast, and this resulted in the display of outlandish clothes and studio decorations to give a very relaxed image.

Send in the trumpets

Brian Epstein watches George, John and Paul briefly become the most celebrated brass section of all time. It’s a perfect example of the intimate moments that Magnus was able to capture due to his familiarity with the band. Says the photographer: “When I look at these photos one can sense the feeling of admiration Brian felt about the Beatles.” In 1997, McCartney said: “If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”

By George

George Harrison was often called 'the quiet Beatle'. The lead guitarist of The Beatles, Harrison was also an accomplished songwriter and among his most famous Beatles compositions are 'Here Comes The Sun' and 'Something'.

Tea for two

George and John share a joke as they wait in line at the EMI canteen. The fact George seems in a more jovial mood than John may not be a trick of a camera. Magnus recalls: “I did sense that John in particular felt rather apprehensive the nearer to transmission we got. However George seemed to be enjoying the moment, while Ringo and Paul showed no apprehension whatsoever.” Even some Beatles got stage fright.

Stoners

Mick Jagger was one of many celebrities invited to the studio during the recording. Others present included Keith Moon, Pattie Boyd, Jane Asher, The Hollies and Marianne Faithfull. Jagger’s pensive expression may be related to his recent arrest for possession of cannabis: on 29 June he would be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, later overturned on appeal. The Stones’ rebellious reputation was forged.

All by himself

Paul McCartney during a break at the EMI studios Abbey Road. The orchestra had left the studio and Paul together with the other Beatles started play a number of their instruments.

Before the live broadcast, press officer Tony Barrow suggested Magnus take a photographic record of this special event. "I wanted to capture these wonderful intimate images and be as unobtrusive as possible. Not wanting the 'posed' shots, I just blended. I had first met and photographed The Beatles in 1963, so they were accustomed to me being in their presence."

1 of 8

Published: Thursday 9th March 2017

Culture

So many people have been anointed the ‘Fifth Beatle’ that the band’s number easily outstrips the actual Fab Four. Yet apart from Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best – the original bassist and drummers of the band, and possibly the most unfortunate men in the history of popular music – few can stake a better claim to this mythical crown than the photographer David Magnus.

Magnus first photographed the band in 1963, during a concert at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. He was only 19 at the time, younger than his four subjects. As the Beatles went stratospheric, Magnus continued to enjoy unprecedented access to the group.

The photos presented above were taken at EMI Studio One in Abbey Road Studios over the weekend of 24-25 June 1967, as the Beatles recorded ‘All You Need Is Love’ for the first time during a live broadcast on the BBC. They include the final photograph of manager Brian Epstein – another pretender to the ‘Fifth Beatle’ throne – with the band he had discovered in the early 1960s. Epstein accidentally overdosed on barbiturates almost precisely two months later.

With the Beatles releasing Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band at the start of June, these photos show the band in their creative pomp. The mop-tops have grown shaggy, the sharp suits replaced by psychedelic jackets. George Harrison waits for some tea. A young Mick Jagger looks positively doe-eyed stood next to a smoking, scowling John Lennon.

Both Magnus and the Beatles had come a long way in the four years since that concert at Stowe. Beatlemania was at its height, and the boys were now icons. Within three years they would split up forever.

The Beatles Unseen: Photographs by David Magnus runs from 16 March-14 May at Proud Chelsea. For more information, see proud.co.uk

Culture

Features