Recording & Mixing: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) / Only A Northern Song

Thursday 20 April 1967 | Sgt. Pepper, Studio, Yellow Submarine

On 20 April 1967, EMI Studios at Abbey Road hosted a split session across Studios Two and Three, combining final mixing work for the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) with a new recording session for George Harrison's Only A Northern Song.

The day marked the final stereo mixing of material for the Sgt. Pepper album, alongside The Beatles' first recording session since 3 April 1967. Work was closely connected to the emerging Yellow Submarine film soundtrack project.

Between 5.00pm and 6.15pm, ten stereo mixes of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) were created in Studio Three's control room by balance engineer Geoff Emerick and tape operator Richard Lush, in the absence of George Martin.

Later that evening, from approximately 7.00pm to 2.15am, The Beatles turned their attention to Only A Northern Song. Returning to earlier recordings, they worked with take three from 13 February 1967, erasing two tracks and overdubbing bass guitar, glockenspiel, whistling, and trumpet.

Additional work was carried out on take 11 (a reduction mix from 14 February), with George Harrison adding lead vocals, supported by Paul McCartney on vocals and trumpet. Further instrumentation replaced earlier drum parts with piano, timpani, Mellotron, and organ.

Representatives involved in the Yellow Submarine film production were present during the session, observing the recording process in the studio.

The two versions of Only A Northern Song (takes 3 and 11) were later combined during the following day's session.

🎛️ Session Details

• Date: 20 April 1967
• Studios: EMI Studios, Abbey Road (Studio Two & Three)
• Producer: George Martin (present for evening session only)
• Engineer: Geoff Emerick
• Tape operator: Richard Lush
• Projects: Sgt. Pepper / Yellow Submarine

🎵 Works In Progress

• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) – stereo mixing
• Only A Northern Song – overdubs and remix work

Location Map

FAQ

Was Sgt. Pepper's Reprise newly recorded?

No. This session focused on final stereo mixing rather than new recording.

Who handled the stereo mixes?

Geoff Emerick and Richard Lush completed the mixes while George Martin was absent.

Why was Only A Northern Song revisited?

It was being developed for inclusion in the Yellow Submarine project and underwent further overdubs and restructuring.

Were film producers present?

Yes. Yellow Submarine production staff attended the session and observed the recording process.

More from 20 April in Beatles History

→ 20 April in Beatles History – Full Timeline

→ And Your Bird Can Sing & Taxman Recording Session – 20 April 1966

→ The Beatles' Northern Songs Takeover Attempt – 20 April 1969

→ I Want You & Oh! Darling Recording Session – 20 April 1969

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