Recording: All Things Must Pass, I Live For You, Art of Dying – 10 June 1970

Wednesday 10 June 1970 | Studio Session | Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London

Producers: George Harrison, Phil Spector | Engineers: Phil McDonald, John Leckie

Wednesday 10 June 1970 was the tenth recording session for George Harrison's third solo album, All Things Must Pass. Three songs were worked on during the session: 'All Things Must Pass', 'I Live For You', and 'Art of Dying'. The session produced the final released take of the title track, added 32 more takes to the already extensive recording of 'I Live For You', and made one further unsuccessful attempt at 'Art of Dying', which would need to be re-recorded again on 1 July.

'All Things Must Pass': 18 Takes

The title track went through 18 takes during the 10 June session, with changes in tempo and instrumentation between attempts. Harrison was searching for a feel that was simultaneously relaxed and propulsive. Between takes 5 and 6, he addressed the other musicians directly:

"What's the timing? It tends to be, like, a bit not relaxed enough. Seems to be going slow and fast, not just easy."

— George Harrison, 10 June 1970

Take 18, the final attempt of the session, was deemed the best and was the version released on the album. The song — written by Harrison and originally offered to The Beatles during the Let It Be sessions in January 1969 — became the centrepiece of the triple album and one of the most celebrated songs of Harrison's solo career.

'I Live For You': 48 Takes Across Two Days

Harrison had recorded 16 takes of 'I Live For You' on 9 June. On 10 June, 32 more takes were recorded, bringing the total to 48. The last take of the 10 June session was marked best and became a contender for inclusion on All Things Must Pass. It was ultimately shelved — not released until the 2001 reissue of the album, on which only the lead vocals and Pete Drake's pedal steel guitar were retained.

Harrison spoke about Drake's contribution in characteristically generous terms:

"The main thing about it for me is the Pete Drake solo on pedal steel guitar. He died [in 1988], and I often thought if his family is still around, then suddenly they'll be hearing him playing this thing that they've never heard before. I really loved his pedal steel guitar – the bagpipes of country & western music."

— George Harrison

Pete Drake: The Bagpipes of Country & Western Music

Pete Drake was one of the most sought-after session musicians in Nashville in the 1960s and 1970s. He had worked with Bob Dylan on John Wesley Harding (1967) and Nashville Skyline (1969), and it was through Dylan that Harrison came to know his work. Drake travelled to London to participate in the All Things Must Pass sessions. He died in Nashville in July 1988, aged 56.

'Art of Dying': Take 10

'Art of Dying' had been through nine takes on 29 May 1970. One further attempt — take 10 — was recorded on 10 June, but was again considered unsatisfactory. The song would be re-recorded on 1 July 1970. Written as early as 1966 and offered to The Beatles during the White Album sessions, it draws on Harrison's engagement with Hindu philosophy and the concept of reincarnation.

Phil Spector as Co-Producer

Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound' approach — multiple guitars, orchestral strings, massed backing vocals — suited the grandeur of Harrison's material. The engineers on the 10 June session were Phil McDonald and John Leckie. Leckie would go on to become one of the most respected record producers in British music, working with XTC, Stone Roses, Radiohead, and Muse.

All Things Must Pass: The Album

All Things Must Pass was released on 27 November 1970 as a triple album. It was the first solo album by a former Beatle to reach number one in both the UK and the US. The sessions involved an extraordinary cast of musicians, including Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Gary Wright, Leon Russell, and Pete Drake.

Key Facts: 10 June 1970

• Date: Wednesday 10 June 1970
• Studio: Studio Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road, London
• Session number: 10th session for All Things Must Pass
• Producers: George Harrison, Phil Spector
• Engineers: Phil McDonald, John Leckie
• Songs: 'All Things Must Pass' (18 takes; take 18 released), 'I Live For You' (32 takes; shelved until 2001), 'Art of Dying' (take 10; unsatisfactory; re-recorded 1 July)
• Album release: All Things Must Pass, 27 November 1970

Frequently Asked Questions

When was All Things Must Pass recorded?

Sessions ran from May to October 1970 at Abbey Road. The 10 June session was the tenth, covering the title track, 'I Live For You', and 'Art of Dying'. The album was released 27 November 1970.

How many takes did it take to record All Things Must Pass?

18 takes on 10 June 1970 alone. Take 18 was released. Harrison noted between takes that the tempo was going slow and fast, not just easy.

What happened to I Live For You?

48 takes across two days (16 on 9 June, 32 on 10 June). The best take was shelved and not released until the 2001 reissue, retaining only Harrison's lead vocals and Pete Drake's pedal steel.

Who was Pete Drake?

A Nashville session musician and pedal steel guitarist who worked with Bob Dylan and travelled to London for the All Things Must Pass sessions. Harrison called his pedal steel 'the bagpipes of country & western music'. Drake died in July 1988, aged 56.

Why was Phil Spector involved in All Things Must Pass?

Spector was co-producer. His Wall of Sound approach suited Harrison's material and the partnership was more harmonious than his controversial work on The Beatles' Let It Be.

What is Art of Dying about?

A song about reincarnation drawing on Hindu philosophy, written as early as 1966. It required multiple sessions before a satisfactory take was achieved on 1 July 1970.

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