Abbey Road Studios Revisited - Literally

It was just over two years ago that I started writing this blog and one of my first posts documented my first visit to Studio 2 in Abbey Road Studios. It was a remarkable experience and at the time, one I thought would never be repeated. Having been presented with the hefty book 'Recording The Beatles' by Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, I was straining at the leash for another visit and fortuitously three of my friends who had missed out first time round, were eager to put that right. Our tickets were booked and travel arrangements sorted and so it was that on a sunny Sunday morning we set off from Newcastle Central Station full of eager anticipation. And yes, the train we caught was the 'One After 909'. 

It boded well! 

Outside Abbey Road Studios was the usual throng of activity as hordes of tourists trekked backward and forward across that iconic zebra crossing. Buses and taxis blasted their horns and one youngster in a sports car revved his engine to incredible levels before screeching off leaving behind a good portion of his tyre tread. Oh well, it takes all sorts!

Inside the studios we received a warm welcome from the staff and after being given our list of do's and don't's, we were allowed down the photo lined staircase and into the wondrous space that is Studio 2.

As on my last visit, we had about an hour to wander around examining pieces of recording equipment and a variety of keyboard instruments. Having browsed through the aforementioned book, I was a little more knowledgeable about some of the equipment but to be honest, for me, that first hour is more about soaking up the atmosphere of that place. I swear that the spirits of John and George live on there. After all, Studio 2 was like a second home to them for the best part of 8 years.

The main event was once again a talk by the authors of the book but whereas my last visit was to celebrate 80 years of recording at Abbey Road, the theme this year was the sound of Abbey Road Studios. Consequently the talk focused more on how some of those famous sounds were achieved. To add some spice and some wonderful personal anecdotes to the talk, we were joined by Ken Scott who of course worked as an engineer with The Beatles and others between 1964 and 1969. He later went on to produce a host of albums by people such as David Bowie, Supertramp and many others.

Having had the personal contact with The Beatles, his stories added a dimension that was of course missing with Kehew and Ryan, so it was well worth me making my second visit. My favourite insight was into the recording of 'Glass Onion' where after several fractious attempts to add Paul playing a recorder to the only available tape track, Scott pressed the wrong button and erased a whole series of snare drums immediately thinking that his days were well and truly numbered. John however loved the effect and so the track was saved and Scott survived to work with The Beatles again.

As we slowly made our way out at the end, we were allowed admission to the studio canteen where the fab four spent some of their free time while in the studios. Through the back is a very pleasant garden and there I was able to take a snap of this Abbey Road street sign which being unadorned by graffiti must be something of a rarity.

All in all, it was another wonderful day. I wonder if I will ever return for a third visit. 



Watch this space.