PAUL MCCARTNEY AND JIMI HENDRIX APPEARED ON THE LP “McGOUGH & McGEAR”

Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles got to know each other from the start of Hendrix’s solo career. During Hendrix’s first months in London, John Lennon and Paul McCartney began turning up backstage at the small clubs where Hendrix’s Experience started playing in late ’66.

Hendrix manager Chas Chandler spoke about that welcome support for the band. “We got a tremendous amount of help from people like Mick Jagger, Paul, McCartney, and John Lennon,” Chandler said. “They would rave about Hendrix.”

Indeed, the Beatles connection directly led to Hendrix’s appearance at Monterey Pop, which represented his big break in America. McCartney personally recommended Hendrix to festival organizers, and they took the Beatle’s word when they booked the Experience.

The friendship grew tighter in May ’67, when McCartney hosted a party for Hendrix following an Experience performance at the Saville Theatre. And when McCartney produced his brother Mike McGear’s record in June, Hendrix played guitar on a few tracks.
Paul McCartney produced brother Mike McGear’s album that featured Jimi Hendrix on 2 tracks.

Hendrix’s May ’67 performance at the Saville (owned by Beatles manager Brian Epstein) has become legendary for a few reasons. Along with McCartney, George Harrison was also in attendance at a show that occurred three days after the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

At the concert, Hendrix performed a cover of the title track, which he’d incredibly worked up with the Experience in the previous day or two. McCartney once said he considered that tribute by Hendrix among the great compliments of his career.

The following month, when McCartney produced his brother Mike McGear’s album, Hendrix and Paul got together again. This time, Hendrix was guesting on guitar (and, reportedly, sitar). John McDermott identified two tracks that featured Hendrix: “So Much” and “Ex-Art Student.”

Both appeared on the LP titled McGough & McGear, though Hendrix’s recording contract wouldn’t have allowed him to appear in the credits on the record.

Graham Nash and ex-Yardbirds bassist Paul Samwell-Smith also played on ‘McGough & McGear’
The McGough & McGear LP also featured Graham Nash, John Mayall, and Paul Samwell-Smith, who previously played bass for The Yardbirds in the Eric Clapton and late Jeff Beck eras.
“So Much” was written by Roger McGough and Mike McGear. It was recorded by McGough & McGear in 1967. It was recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London and was produced by Paul McCartney. The recording features Jimi Hendrix on guitar, Noel Redding on bass, Mitch Mitchell on drums, and Spencer Davis on guitar. The recording also features Graham Nash, Jane Asher and Margaret Asher on backing vocals. It was released on the 1968 album McGough & McGear.