Expert: Nick Marasciulo - 7/20/2006

Question
Ok, but that brings up another question of mine. If George doesn't play guitar on the song, what did he play on the recording? Did he play the bass part like he did in the promo film or just lend backing vocals to the recording?
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Followup To

Question -
Hi, I am always looking to find who plays hwat in each song. A number of internet sources tell me that on Hey Jude, John plays acoustic guitar and George plays lead. However, I can't pick out any lead guitar part in the song and in the promo film it looks like George is playing a bass. I checked a book and it said the same thing. Can you please try to clear this up for me. Thanks.

Answer -
Hi Mark,
In the promo film George is actually playing a Fender VI bass (it's a kind of electric guitar used as bass: more informaton at:
http://www.thecanteen.com/fabguitars.html
where you will find any detail you may need about Beatles' guitars)

There is no lead guitar in Hey Jude: moreover a dispute took place between Paul and George who wanted to put little lead bits repeating each line sung by Paul. Memories of this dispute can be found also in the Let it Be film...
Id suggest You to buy (if you haven't yet) the following books:
Ian Mc Donald "Revolution in the head- The Beatles'records and the Sixties"
Mark Lewinsohn "The Beatles Recording sessions"
Hope it helps,
bye
N.  

Answer
Hi Mark, here is what I've found about Hey Jude Recording Sessions (at Trident Studios and not Abbey Road) and different takes:
- First recording day (68/07/29) Paul Piano, John acoustic guitar, George electric guitar , Ringo Drums
- 68/07/30: as previous day but this time no George playing
- 68/07/31: new take again again with George on electric guitar with the dispute about the bits played after each line;
- 68/08/01: Paul recording bass and lead vocals and orchestra recording.
So that George played an electric guitar (I guess you can hear it sometimes in the middle of the sound).
In the video (David Frost Show) Paul plays piano, John his Epiphone electric guitar, George his Fender VI bass and Ringo drums.
Hope it helps bye  
Nick