The Beatles at their ‘peak’: A new box set sheds light on the making of ‘Revolver’
When the Beatles recorded “Revolver” in June of 1962, they had one less song to get through than they had when recording “The Fool on the Hill,” and another that would ultimately get relegated to the non-album, promotional rounds.
Revolver’s other title track, “From Me to You,” wasn’t slated to appear on the new album until July 23. The Beatles were waiting out the first leg of the “Revolver” tour (which stretched from June 5 to September 4) after the New London Bridge fire on June 17. But “From Me to You” was released on July 16 after the Firemen’s Ball, which became a massive local legend on New York City radio (and which became part of the band’s lore when John Lennon sang, “I’m going to New York City in a big bus/I’m going out on the town tonight”).
The Beatles were also in the midst of recording the Beatles second release, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
And, most importantly, they were still negotiating the release of their new single, “Penny Lane,” which was to be the first single from an album that would be titled “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” When those sessions ended at 11 p.m. on Aug. 9, they were back at Abbey Road recording “Revolver.” They’d be there through the following day. By Aug. 10, they were back to the “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” sessions.
“From Me to You” was released on July 16, 1962.
The “Revolver” sessions began on July 16 as well.
While the Beatles did have two completed songs when they walked in to Abbey Road a little past 9 a.m. for their first session of the day, they quickly realized that they would need a “hump” going into the afternoon session to make the time slot work.
“Revolver” sessions are short, intense sessions