We’re saddened to announce the passing of the wonderful Phil McDonald.
“It was when I first walked round the studios that I realised recording was the career for me.” – Phil in Beat Instrumental 1974
Phil was a highly skilled, deeply trusted, and much-loved engineer who started working here in 1964 at the age of eighteen. A man who went on to become one of the few credited on the back cover of Abbey Road, he started out in our tape library and worked in the cutting rooms before making the transition to tape op, and soon, balance engineer.
His first session with The Beatles is documented as 17 June 1965 for Yesterday. The following years working on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and The White Album, he would’ve been trained up by the likes of Geoff Emerick and Ken Scott before taking a central role in the recording of Abbey Road. Phil’s philosophy was always to get as close as possible to recording the true sound he heard in the studio.
Transitioning to Apple Records around 1971 and through 1974, Phil worked with all four Beatles on their first solo projects, before lending his talents to some of the world’s biggest artists including Eric Clapton, Harry Nilsson, Deep Purple, Squeeze and Roy Orbison. Across his career Phil contributed to some of the most influential albums of all time: All Things Must Pass, Imagine, McCartney I, The Madcap Laughs, Plastic Ono Band, Deep Purple In Rock, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Living In The Material World, A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, Traveling Wilburys Vol.1, Mystery Girl and so many more.
We were lucky to welcome him back to the studios last year for a look around his old home, a moment we all treasured - now even more. Phil had a fantastic sense of humour, a quiet calm and a clear passion for recording and music.
He is remembered by his wife Sandra, his past colleagues and friends, and so fondly by all of us here at Abbey Road.
Thanks Phil. Rest in peace.
