Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello everyone,

My name's Alberto and I'm a newbie with my first post.

I was recently hearing ISHST and I've always wondered why George never played the solo that is on the lp version live. I've heard many live recordings from Ed Sullivan to BBC of this song and he always plays a different solo that sounds much simpler. Does anyone have any insight on this? Was it cause it was a tough solo to pull off live? I get the impression that he probably sat down and wrote this solo and then recorded it as opposed to him just improvising it live on the spot. I've read a lot about this song but have no info on the solo itself.

For me, this was the first guitar solo I heard as a kid that made me want to learn how to play guitar. It's one of my favorite George solos.

Would love to hear any insight any of you may have!

-Alberto

I seem to recall hearing that they recorded that song several times that day, and that George played vastly different solos every time.

I guess his favorite solo (you can call it that I guess, since he always plays it live) was not the one that worked best for George Martin, or wasn't on the performance that had the best energy, so they used the solo from the take with the best energy (and the rest of the take too of course!)

Hi, Alberto. Welcome!

That solo made a big impression on me, too, as a baby wannabe rocker. You could say it was one of the reasons I took up with guitar, too.

This one stands out to me because it sounds unlike any other Beatles guitar solo. George gets an almost surfy feel!

I've seen live versions of the song with, and without the solo. Nuts! The solo reminds me a bit of Scotty Moore.

Thanks for responding everyone!

Yes the solo does have a surfy feel and does have a Scotty Moore vibe!

I guess that's why it stands out to me as being a little different than some of his other solos.
It just sounds like its a "let me sit down right here and work this out" type of guitar solo. I know that George isn't really known for his live improv skills so I was wondering if there were any cool stories behind it.

I've heard some of the outtakes and the solos he plays are pretty rough and there really isn't any hint of what will end up being the final solo.

I know they weren't doing any multitracks on that first album but I would think that maybe they laid down the basic vocals/rhythm and then George would've just added his solo on a separate track.

Scotty Moore was the reason I bought an electric guitar(Several actually...).