Video: 'The Beatles INSIDER - John Lennon & Ringo Starr Recordings Session 03/13/1973'
(Tuesday, March 13, 1973) — Three of the four ex-Beatles (John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr) gathered tonight at Sunset Sound Recorders Studios in Los Angeles to record Lennon’s song “I’m The Greatest” with Starr on lead vocals (overdubbed later) for his forthcoming album Ringo.
The sessions for Ringo coincided with a spirit of reconciliation among the four ex-Beatles. This was partly due to Starr, Lennon, and Harrison’s decision to sever their business ties with Allen Klein, whose control of Apple had been the cause of bitter division between them and the fourth ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, who was in London on this night.
Lennon played piano, Starr was on drums, and Harrison, who was on guitar, was in Los Angeles for meetings relating to two upcoming Beatles compilations, 1962–1966 and 1967–1970, and to produce a new album by Ravi Shankar.
Video: 'George Harrison - Living In The Material World (1973) Full Album' (first 12 clips constitute original LP)
Harrison had flown from London to Los Angeles (reportedly just four days before on Mar. 9, 1973) after completing recording sessions for his fourth studio album, Living In The Material World.
Hearing that Starr and Lennon were working together, Harrison phoned the studio and asked producer Richard Perry if he could attend. Lennon said, “Hell yes … Tell him to get down here right away and help me finish [writing] this bridge.”
Starr subsequently recorded a lead vocal for the track, although part of Lennon’s singing was retained, creating an occasional harmony beside Starr’s vocal.
Video: 'I'm The Greatest'
Other overdubs included contributions from keyboardist Billy Preston (organ, Mar. 14, 1973), who was often referred to as a “Fifth Beatle” due to his close association with the band.
In addition, Perry overdubbed the sound of an audience applauding Starr’s mention of Billy Shears, providing a further quote from The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper”/”With a Little Help from My Friends” medley.
Harrison added more lead guitar parts, creating a guitar arrangement that author Simon Leng views as a “summary” of some of his best-known contributions to The Beatles’ work. These include, in Leng’s description, “stabbing ‘Get Back’ rhythms” and “Help!”-style arpeggios, as well as a slide guitar solo that provides “an unexpected twist to the melody.”
