The broadcast was basically live with a little help. According to Mark Lewisohn's The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, "...George Martin greatly decreased the chance of an on-air foul-up by having the Beatles play to their own pre-recorded rhythm track of take 10. Only the vocals, bass guitar, the lead guitar solo in the middle eight, drums and the orchestra were actually live." Hence the headphones.

Equally impressive was how fast they got the song done. The Beatles had agreed to perform a new song for an BBC international broadcast on May 22 and the actual performance took place about a month later on June 25; the Beatles didn't start working the song up as a group in the studio until June 14. The program was to be the first live broadcast across five continents and, to keep it accessible to all audiences, the BBC had requested that the Beatles keep the song simple. The international "snippets" were added for the occasion.

Lennon was apparently very nervous beforehand; the gum chewing was probably just a front to hide his anxiety. There was a whole slew of friends sitting around also: "Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Richard, Keith Moon, Eric Clapton, Pattie Harrison, Jane Asher, Mike McCartney, Graham Nash and his wife, Gary Leeds and Hunter Davies" (Again, from Lewisohn). After the broadcast was over, the Beatles did a little bit of overdubbing (including some of Lennon's vocals) and the final mix was finished the next day. The single was out in stores on July 7, less than two weeks later.

Yeah, according to Wikipedia "It had been prearranged for this session to be filmed by NEMS Enterprises for use in a planned television special. However, the film was never released in its entirety, although portions of it can be seen in the "A Day in the Life" promotional film, including shots of studio guests like Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithfull, Keith Richards, Donovan, Pattie Boyd and Michael Nesmith."

I love this song so much it hurts.

is this taken from the actual recording of this song? whats mick jagger doin there?

Someone's a Mick Jagger fan^

Tags changed from "mick jaggar, keith richards, rock, 70's" to "mick jagger, keith richards, rock, 70's" by gold star member lisacat.

Legendary Singer James Brown Dies at 73
By GREG BLUESTEIN 12.25.06, 3:10 AM ET

James Brown, the dynamic, pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73.

Brown was hospitalized with pneumonia at Emory Crawford Long Hospital on Sunday and died around 1:45 a.m. Monday, said his agent, Frank Copsidas of Intrigue Music. Longtime friend Charles Bobbit was by his side, he said.

Copsidas said Brown's family was being notified of his death and that the cause was still uncertain. "We really don't know at this point what he died of," he said.

Along with Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and a handful of others, Brown was one of the major musical influences of the past 50 years. At least one generation idolized him, and sometimes openly copied him. His rapid-footed dancing inspired Mick Jagger and Michael Jackson among others. Songs such as David Bowie's "Fame," Prince's "Kiss," George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" were clearly based on Brown's rhythms and vocal style.

If Brown's claim to the invention of soul can be challenged by fans of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, then his rights to the genres of rap, disco and funk are beyond question. He was to rhythm and dance music what Dylan was to lyrics: the unchallenged popular innovator.

"James presented obviously the best grooves," rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy once told The Associated Press. "To this day, there has been no one near as funky. No one's coming even close."

<ahref="http://www.forbes.com/business/services/feeds/ap/2006/12/25/ap3281366.html">More from AP