Bill Jackman

About

On February 6, 1968, he was called at the latest minute to play saxophone on The Beatles’ “Lady Madonna“, after Paul McCartney decided he wanted real brass players on the record.

Laurie Gold, a session ‘fixer’ for EMI, often used by George Martin and The Beatles, was called into swift action. Harry Klein, a baritone sax player, has a vivid recollection of events. “They were in a real flap to find four musicians and called on Laurie to conjure some up for them. I was in the bath at about 6:30 in the evening when Laurie called and said, ‘Are you working tonight?’ ‘No, I’m in the bath!’ ‘Well get over to EMI as quick as you can, and how can I find a tenor player?’ I suggested he call Ronnie Scott, the chap who runs the London jazz club, and sure enough, when I got to Abbey Road, Ronnie was there, along with Bill Jackman and Bill Povey. Paul didn’t recognize Ronnie Scott until we told him who he was.“

From “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn

Paul went through the song on the piano and we were each given a scrap of manuscript paper and a pencil to write out some notes. Had there been music we would have been in and out in about ten minutes. As it was, it took most of the evening, recording it in A-major pitch with the rhythm track playing in our headphones.

Bill Jackman​ – From “The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions” by Mark Lewisohn

Bill Jackman also played flute on “Hey Jude“, recorded on August 1, 1968.

Last updated on September 14, 2021