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Late October 1966

Recording "From Head To Toe"

For The Escorts

Last updated on October 11, 2023


Location

  • Recording studio: Maximum Sound Studios, London, UK

Timeline

AlbumSome of the songs worked on during this session were first released on the "From Head To Toe / Night Time" 7" Single

Some of the songs from this session also appear on:

The Escorts were a Merseybeat band formed in October 1962 in Liverpool, England. In October 1966, they recorded their last record, “From Head to Toe”, a cover of the track written by Smokey Robinson.

Paul McCartney contributed to the record, playing the tambourine, but also helping with the recording process.


We went to Maximum Sound Studios in the Old Kent Road and started recording in the late afternoon. Things didn’t seem to be going too well recording-wise, although the boys spent about four hours routining.

We then decided to take a break for a meal — and Paddy Chambers made a call to Paul McCartney. The result was he wanted to come down to the session, so we picked him up. He listened to what we’d recorded, then made several suggestions and took over at the controls. We were amazed at the results. Paul virtually engineered the ‘A’ side — and he actually picked up a tambourine and joined in on the actual recording.

Roger Stinton – Manager of The Escorts – From Record Mirror – November 19, 1966

S.O.S. PAUL TO THE RESCUE

OFFICIALLY it is quite right to call PAUL McCARTNEY co-producer of THE ESCORTS’ next disc, which is being released on Columbia on December 2nd. Manager Roger Stinton tells me: “We went to Maximum Sound Studios in the Old Kent Road and started recording in the late afternoon. Things didn’t seem to be going too well recording-wise, although the boys spent about four hours routining.

“We then decided to take a break for a meal — and PADDY CHAMBERS made a call to Paul McCartney. The result was he wanted to come down to the session, so we picked him up. He listened to what we’d recorded, then made several suggestions and took over at the controls. We were amazed at the results. Paul virtually engineered the ‘A’ side — and he actually picked up a tambourine and joined in on the actual recording.”

Roger has been responsible for launching many top artistes for various organisations — and he’s delighted with the opportunity of really going to town on the promotion of his own group. Incidentally, he wants me to point out the fact that although Paddy Chambers is now a member of the group, few people are aware of the change because it hasn’t been widely publicised.

From Record Mirror – November 19, 1966
From Record Mirror – November 19, 1966

[…] The name of THE ESCORTS should not be new to you. They are a Liverpool group who have been on the scene for quite a while, although now with a new line-up. Previously they made five records, the first of which, “Dizzy Miss Lizzie,” made the charts. Following this they toured Britain with Gene Pitney, Cilla Black and Billy J. Kramer and also appeared in a film. Now the boys come up with their first release for Columbia titled “From Head To Toe”. It was made with the assistance of somebody who certainly knows a thing or two about hit records.

Officially it is quite correct to call Beatle Paul McCartney co-producer of this disc. It didn’t start out that way, but let manager Roger Stinton explain:

“We went into a well-known studio in London’s old Kent Road and started recording in the late afternoon. The boys spent hours routining, but things just didn’t seem to be going very well. We decided to take a break for some food, and Paddy Chambers, ex of Paddy, Klaus and Gibson, made a phone call to Paul McCartney. The result was that Paul wanted to come down to the session, so we collected him. He listened to what we had done, then made several suggestions and took over at the controls. He virtually produced the A-side and even picked up a tambourine to join in on the recording.”

Roger has been responsible for launching many artistes for other people, but now he’s delighted with the chance to promote his own group. […]

From The Runcorn Guardian – December 29, 1966
From The Runcorn Guardian – December 29, 1966

Session activities

  1. From Head To Toe

    Written by Smokey Robinson

    Recording


Staff

Musicians

Musicians on "From Head To Toe"

Paul McCartney writing

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