Recording "Rock Of All Ages"

From 18 September 1969: Paul McCartney performs on Badfinger’s Rock Of All Ages (beatlesbible.com):

Paul McCartney assisted in a number of sessions for Badfinger’s album Magic Christian Music in 1968 and 1969, producing several songs and writing ‘Come And Get It’.

Rock Of All Ages, the b-side to the Come And Get It single, was recorded on this day. McCartney co-produced the song with Mal Evans, and helped write it, although the latter gesture went uncredited.

During the session McCartney played piano and sang a guide vocal alongside Badfinger’s Tom Evans, which was later replaced by a second vocal part by Evans.

Two stereo mixes of Rock Of All Ages were released. The single version had McCartney’s piano in the right channel, while the album version had it centred. The latter version of the song also faded 10 seconds earlier.

Paul continued assisting at sessions for Badfinger’s Magic Christian soundtrack recordings. According to some sources, he coproduced the basic tracks for the songs “Crimson Ship” and “Midnight Sun” and may have even played piano on them. He also assisted Mal Evans in producing the lovely ballad “Carry On till Tomorrow,” which was scored for strings and conducted by George Martin. Paul’s most tangible contribution was to the B-side of “Come and Get It,” a hard-driving rocker titled “Rock of All Ages.” In addition to coproducing the song and assisting in its composition (uncredited), he plays the pounding piano track that features throughout. Paul even went so far as to sing a shared lead vocal track with Tom Evans, although this was probably meant as a guide vocal, and was erased by a second vocal from Tom. Paul’s influence remains clear in the “I’m Down”–style shouting and Little Richard “woo’s.”

Winn, John C.. That Magic Feeling: 2 (The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy) (p. 324). Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed. Kindle Edition.

1969: A was released on the B-side of the single “Come and Get It.” In 1970, it was included on the Apple LP Magic Christian Music, which was reissued on CD in 1991. The original single mix isolates Paul’s piano in the right channel, while the mix used on the LP and CD centers the piano and fades nearly 10 seconds early.

Winn, John C.. That Magic Feeling: 2 (The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy) (p. 324). Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed. Kindle Edition.

Session activities

1. Rock of All Ages

   Written by Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Mike Gibbins

   Recording

Staff

Production staff

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