Paul McCartney Records with The Beach Boys on “Vegetables”
Monday 10 April 1967 | Miscellaneous, Paul McCartney
On 10 April 1967, during The Beatles’ period of intense creative expansion, Paul McCartney spent part of the day in Los Angeles engaging with members of the American music scene, including The Beach Boys and The Mamas And The Papas.
The visit resulted in McCartney contributing an unusual and informal recording appearance on The Beach Boys’ track ‘Vegetables’ (also referred to as ‘Vega-Tables’), which was being developed for the abandoned Smile project and later appeared on Smiley Smile.
Los Angeles Visit and Studio Circles
The day followed The Beatles’ arrival in Los Angeles, with McCartney accompanied by road manager Mal Evans.
The pair spent part of the day at Century Plaza, before visiting John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas And The Papas.
McCartney later left to meet The Beach Boys at the studio, while Evans remained at the Phillips residence.
Contribution to “Vegetables”
During sessions for Smile, Brian Wilson was working on the track ‘Vegetables’, an experimental composition reflecting the album’s surreal studio approach.
McCartney was invited to participate in the recording and contributed by chewing celery as a percussive sound element.
This brief appearance became one of the most unusual documented collaborations between two major 1960s pop innovators.
Paul McCartney’s Account
McCartney later recalled the session as a spontaneous and surreal experience:
“I just went round to the studio because they invited me. I just thought it would be fun… they said, ‘what we want you to do is go in there and just munch!’ …So, if you hear somebody munching celery, that’s me!”
Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys Perspective
Members of The Beach Boys later described the session as part of a broader creative period in which Brian Wilson’s studio experimentation often involved extended recording sessions and evolving arrangements.
During the recording, McCartney briefly interacted with Wilson at the console, contributing to the session’s unusual collaborative dynamic.
Additional Recording Material
McCartney is also reported to have contributed to an unreleased version of ‘On Top Of Old Smokey’ during the same period.
He returned to the Phillips household shortly after midnight following the studio visit.
Location
Century City
Los Angeles, California, USA
1967 Beach Boys recording environment
Location Map
Also on This Day in Beatles History
10 April is one of the most significant dates in Beatles history. Here's what else happened:
- 10 April 1961 – The Beatles live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg
- 10 April 1962 – Stuart Sutcliffe, original Beatles bassist, dies in Hamburg
- 10 April 1964 – The Beatles’ Second Album released in the US
- 10 April 1964 – The Beatles filming A Hard Day’s Night at Twickenham
- 10 April 1965 – The Beatles film Top Of The Pops at Riverside Studios
- 10 April 1970 – George Harrison BBC Fact Or Fantasy interview
- 10 April 1970 – Paul McCartney announces the Beatles split
- 10 April 1970 – The Beatles’ final Apple press release
- 10 April 1972 – FBI surveillance of John Lennon ordered
- 10 April 2002 – Paul McCartney live at United Center, Chicago
- 10 April 2003 – Paul McCartney live at Manchester MEN Arena
- 10 April 2011 – The Beatles’ first contract goes to auction
- 10 April 2019 – Ringo Starr All-Starr Band live in Amagasaki
FAQ
Did Paul McCartney really appear on a Beach Boys recording?
Yes, McCartney contributed a recorded celery-chewing sound during sessions for ‘Vegetables’.
Which Beach Boys song did he appear on?
‘Vegetables’, originally intended for the Smile album and later released on Smiley Smile.
Who was involved in the session?
Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and Paul McCartney, among others.
Was this a formal collaboration?
No, it was an informal studio contribution during a visit to the Beach Boys’ recording sessions.
Explore more Beatles history: The Beatles Knowledge Hub | On This Day in Beatles History
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