The Beatles took on a lot of collaborations through the years, both in the studio and on the road. Dozens of session musicians and roadies worked with them, some of which were quite famous. Let’s look at just a few examples! You might just be surprised to see a few of these names.
1. Billy Preston
This wouldn’t be a list of Beatles collaborations without mentioning the incomparable Billy Preston. He was one of several people to earn the label “The Fifth Beatle”, and for good reason.
Videos by American Songwriter
He’s the only musician to earn a co-credit on a Beatles album, and he helped keep the band from deteriorating beyond control during the Let It Be sessions. A strong musician on his own, Preston deserves so much more love for his contributions to the Fab Four and music as a whole.
2. Donovan
Did you know that folk singer/songwriter Donovan once worked with the Fab Four? A bit of an unsung hero of Beatles collaborations, this British folk icon contributed vocals to the famed Beatles track “Yellow Submarine”.
3. Mal Evans
Mal Evans was The Beatles’ road manager for a time. Outside of being one of the most famous roadies ever, he also contributed quite a bit to The Beatles’ recorded works. He contributed a harmonica track to “Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite” and drum and vocals to “Yellow Submarine”. He also took on less conventional instruments and tools for sound effects, such as the alarm clock in “A Day In The Life” and a shovel digging gravel for “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)”.
Evans’ story is pretty tragic, and a fascinating look at what it was like working with The Beatles. The above-embedded video is a must-watch for music history buffs.
4. Brian Jones
Yep, I’m talking about that Brian Jones. Even diehard Beatles fans may not know about the collaborations between The Rolling Stones’ late guitarist and the Fab Four. Jones contributed his vocal chops to “Yellow Submarine” and an alto saxophone track to “You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)”. Sadly, Jones passed away just a few years after those famous collaborations.
Photo via Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More The List
-
Picture taken in 1974 in Stockholm shows the Swedish pop group Abba with its members (L-R) Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus posing after winning the Swedish branch of the Eurovision Song Contest with their song "Waterloo". – Sweden's legendary disco group ABBA announced on April 27, 2018 that they have reunited to record two new songs, 35 years after their last single. The quartet split up in 1982 after dominating the disco scene for more than a decade with hits like "Waterloo", "Dancing Queen", "Mamma Mia" and "Super Trouper". (Photo by Olle LINDEBORG / TT News Agency / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo credit should read OLLE LINDEBORG/AFP via Getty Images) -
IN CONCERT – Airdate: March 1, 1974. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) LINDA RONSTADT -
HOLLYWOOD, CA – 1979: Teens dance to the music at the 1979 Hollywood High School prom held in Hollywood, California. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) -
British musician Christine McVie, of the group Fleetwood Mac, performs onstage at the Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, Wisconsin, July 19, 1978. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
Singer Patsy Cline poses for a portrait circa 1961. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
BLOOMINGTON, MN – SEPTEMBER 4: Tom Petty performs on the Touring The Great Wide Open Tour at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota on September 4, 1991. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 28: <> at ACL Live on February 28, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)