How bad can a recording session get? Larry Carlton found out in 1973. The studio was booked, the band was ready, and yet they spent hours waiting for John Lennon to show up. When he finally arrived, he was drinking, distracted, and the music barely moved forward. Producer Phil Spector added to the chaos, turning what should have been magic into mayhem.
The mood was all wrong. Instead of a focused, creative night, Carlton saw a room spinning out of control. Lennon’s drinking, Spector’s erratic behavior, and the constant waiting made the atmosphere tense. Carlton was there to make music, but what he saw was not the kind of work he wanted to be part of.
Larry Carlton Reveals the Chaotic John Lennon ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Sessions
Fans who have heard Carlton tell this story say it completely changed how they view the album. One listener said it “put a whole new light on the record.” Another commented that they could not believe none of Carlton’s guitar ended up on the album after all that drama.
That experience was enough to push Carlton away from the project entirely. Years later, he recalled that he was supposed to play for a full week but walked out after just one night. The decision was not about ego but about protecting his time and sanity. It was a moment where he chose professionalism over chaos.
Why Guitar Legend Larry Carlton QUIT John Lennon Recording Session
In his own words, Carlton explained how Lennon struggled to even call out the right chord changes. The fans who heard him tell this part of the story often laugh and shake their heads at how wild it all was. Many say it makes them respect Carlton more for staying true to himself, even with a Beatle in the room.
Larry Carlton has always been about music first, not drama. His decision to leave those sessions showed integrity. Follow Larry Carlton on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. His journey proves that sometimes walking away from chaos is the most rock and roll thing you can do.