“They did have a lot of fun,” he recalled. “I don’t remember any animosity. You arguewith your mates occasionally and walk off, but there didn’t seem to be any long-term nastiness going on.”
Anthony Richmond, who was the cinematographer for the film and had also worked with Michael Lindsay-Hogg on the
Rock And Roll Circus,
has fond memories of January 1969 as well. “There are moments where they’re having a rough time,” he begins, “but you could also see moments where they’re just mucking about and having a good time and laughing and joking, and Lennon’s dancing. I can only remember it as a good time.”
The verdict on whether the Twickenham sessions verged on being one big laugh or something close to a funeral for the Beatles depends on who you talk to and when you talk to them. Contradictions abound, as when one listens to John Lennon laughing, joking and having fun just jamming on the bootlegs and then hears him reflecting on the sessions. When Lennon gave a long interview in 1971 to Jann Wenner of
Rolling Stone
magazine, he remarked about the filming, “It was just a dreadful, dreadful feeling in Twickenham Studio, being filmed all the time, I just wanted them to go away. We’d be there at eight in the morning in a strange place, with people filming you and colored lights flashing.”
As for George, he didn’t simply go off to his mum’s house in Liverpool and await the premiere of
Wonderwall.
That weekend he wrote a song that laterdebuted on
All Things Must Pass.
The song, “Wah Wah,” effectively stated his complete disillusionment with the Beatles and allowed him musically to vent his anger over the months of turmoil that included the laborious
White Album
sessions, various Apple business dealings and the Twickenham filming.
On January 13, Paul and Ringo returned to Twickenham and, in the absence of both George and John, did no more than sit around and chat. George’s absence was paid little notice, but there was much animosity directed at Yoko’s presence. John finally showed up around mid-afternoon and attempts were made to work on “Get Back.” By then, the lyrics closely approximated those of the final version of the song.
The next day was pretty much a repeat of the previous one. Paul and Ringo showed up, and John arrived quite late again. He appeared ill, a result of his by then obvious drug intake. Yet, even with John initially being out of sorts and George gone from the group, the three seemingly had a grand old time making up fake movie scenarios and joking around. The conversations, which also included Denis O’Dell, George Martin, and, it would appear, Glyn Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg, all sounded very relaxed and collegial. John was on a non-stop rap that mixed lots of off-color humor, drug references (aided by Paul), word-play, sending up of the music and film biz, and tangential satire, all seeminglythoroughly enjoyed by Paul. Paul even baited John and Yoko into discussing what
Two Virgins
was all about. Adding to the joy, though tinged with sarcasm and some discomfort, was the arrival on the set of Peter Sellers. Once again, very little music was rehearsed.
Wednesday, January 15, would prove to be the last day of filming at Twickenham and nothing of any note was done on that day. It is not clear whether anyone other than Paul actually showed up.
While it has been chronicled that there was a meeting held the previous Sunday, January 12, at Ringo’s house in Elstead, it was apparently not very productive. Reportedly, George, incensed at John’s obstinate behavior, walked out. On the evening of the 15th, another meeting, which reportedly lasted nearly five hours, took place at Ringo’s house. All four Beatles attended.
George had returned from Liverpool and told the others he was prepared to leave the group unless some conditions were met. Filming at Twickenham was to end and talk of a live concert was also to be abandoned. By “live concert,” George meant
Anthony Richmond, who was the cinematographer for the film and had also worked with Michael Lindsay-Hogg on the
Rock And Roll Circus,
has fond memories of January 1969 as well. “There are moments where they’re having a rough time,” he begins, “but you could also see moments where they’re just mucking about and having a good time and laughing and joking, and Lennon’s dancing. I can only remember it as a good time.”
The verdict on whether the Twickenham sessions verged on being one big laugh or something close to a funeral for the Beatles depends on who you talk to and when you talk to them. Contradictions abound, as when one listens to John Lennon laughing, joking and having fun just jamming on the bootlegs and then hears him reflecting on the sessions. When Lennon gave a long interview in 1971 to Jann Wenner of
Rolling Stone
magazine, he remarked about the filming, “It was just a dreadful, dreadful feeling in Twickenham Studio, being filmed all the time, I just wanted them to go away. We’d be there at eight in the morning in a strange place, with people filming you and colored lights flashing.”
As for George, he didn’t simply go off to his mum’s house in Liverpool and await the premiere of
Wonderwall.
That weekend he wrote a song that laterdebuted on
All Things Must Pass.
The song, “Wah Wah,” effectively stated his complete disillusionment with the Beatles and allowed him musically to vent his anger over the months of turmoil that included the laborious
White Album
sessions, various Apple business dealings and the Twickenham filming.
On January 13, Paul and Ringo returned to Twickenham and, in the absence of both George and John, did no more than sit around and chat. George’s absence was paid little notice, but there was much animosity directed at Yoko’s presence. John finally showed up around mid-afternoon and attempts were made to work on “Get Back.” By then, the lyrics closely approximated those of the final version of the song.
The next day was pretty much a repeat of the previous one. Paul and Ringo showed up, and John arrived quite late again. He appeared ill, a result of his by then obvious drug intake. Yet, even with John initially being out of sorts and George gone from the group, the three seemingly had a grand old time making up fake movie scenarios and joking around. The conversations, which also included Denis O’Dell, George Martin, and, it would appear, Glyn Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg, all sounded very relaxed and collegial. John was on a non-stop rap that mixed lots of off-color humor, drug references (aided by Paul), word-play, sending up of the music and film biz, and tangential satire, all seeminglythoroughly enjoyed by Paul. Paul even baited John and Yoko into discussing what
Two Virgins
was all about. Adding to the joy, though tinged with sarcasm and some discomfort, was the arrival on the set of Peter Sellers. Once again, very little music was rehearsed.
Wednesday, January 15, would prove to be the last day of filming at Twickenham and nothing of any note was done on that day. It is not clear whether anyone other than Paul actually showed up.
While it has been chronicled that there was a meeting held the previous Sunday, January 12, at Ringo’s house in Elstead, it was apparently not very productive. Reportedly, George, incensed at John’s obstinate behavior, walked out. On the evening of the 15th, another meeting, which reportedly lasted nearly five hours, took place at Ringo’s house. All four Beatles attended.
George had returned from Liverpool and told the others he was prepared to leave the group unless some conditions were met. Filming at Twickenham was to end and talk of a live concert was also to be abandoned. By “live concert,” George meant
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