On this day in 1968, fresh from their spiritual retreat in India, The Beatles gathered at George Harrison’s home in Esher, Surrey, armed with a collection of new songs that would shape their next two albums. Using George’s 4-track recorder, the band laid down 23 acoustic demos, capturing the raw essence of their creativity before heading into Abbey Road Studios.

These recordings, known as the Esher Demos, include early versions of classics such as ‘Cry Baby Cry,’ ‘Revolution,’ ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps,’ ‘Blackbird,’ and ‘Child of Nature’—a John Lennon composition that later evolved into ‘Jealous Guy’. The session was a rare moment of camaraderie, with the band still reveling in their shared musical journey before tensions would rise during the making of The White Album.

The Esher Demos offer a fascinating glimpse into The Beatles’ songwriting process, showcasing stripped-down arrangements and intimate performances. Many of these tracks would go on to be polished and transformed into some of the most iconic songs in rock history.

For fans and historians alike, these recordings remain a cherished artifact, preserving a moment when The Beatles were still, at their core, a group of friends making music together.