I Feel Fine by was recorded by The Beatles in the Abby Road studios of EMI in London in 1964 as an A-side single. A great single by my favorite band, and not without the fab four’s innovations.

Always pushing the envelope in the studio, they incorporated “feedback” into the beginning of the song. Creating an unexpected raw surge at the song’s start.

This is how it happened. Paul McCartney strummed an A string on his bass, and John Lennon’s rhythm guitar which was leaning against the amplifier picked up the feedback in a brilliant “Nnnnnnwahhhhh….” sound. 

This is one of the earliest intentional uses of feedback on a rock and roll record. Bands like The Who and The Kinks experimented with feedback in their music as well. 

Who would’ve thought a happy accident would lead to what many bands would use thereafter even today.  As I can’t fathom grunge, hard rock, or heavy metal without feedback. As those raw sounds round out and punctuate solid guitar riffs. 

-aaa