Merle Frimark was already a huge fan of The Beatles when she started working for them. In 1967, 18 year old Frimark got a job sorting fan mail for the Fab Four in New York. In 1969 she was in the studio in London when they recorded Abbey Road. Here she recalled being in the room as they put the finishing touches on “Come Together” – and revealed her snaps of her encounter:
“In July of 1969, I took a two-week vacation and went to London, paying for my flight and hotel. It was not my first time in London or the UK. While there, I spent time at the Savile Row office, often filling in at the reception desk.
“Lots of folks coming and going (Mal Evans, Peter Brown, Tony Bramwell), fans waiting outside for a mere glimpse of ANY Beatle that might pop in. I also took the train to Liverpool, where I spent time with Freda Kelly, who took me to meet Ringo’s parents, the lovely Elsie and Harry Graves.
“It was the late Derek Taylor, the Beatles Press Officer, and a great mentor to me, who arranged for me to go to EMI Studios where The Beatles were putting the finishing touches on the song “Come Together” for the Abbey Road album.
“On Wed. July 23, 1969 I was off to EMI Studios (later renamed Abbey Road) where I became a fly on the wall and took some candid photos of the boys in their element. The beloved and ever-present Mal Evans was there of course, greeted me warmly, put me at ease and reminded all that I was from the New York office. Hoots and hollers! I quietly moved around trying to be invisible and shared a few winks and glances with John and Paul. John had just returned to the studio following a car accident in Scotland. I brought some white flowers for him and he took one and put it on top of the amp next to him. Everyone could not have been nicer.
“Here are a few of my studio photos taken that day.”
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969
Candid Snaps of The Beatles Taken by an American Teen During the Abbey Road Session at EMI Studios on July 23, 1969