Electronic Sound

As a direct result of the Beatles’ keen curiosity about experimental music and other avant-garde artistic expression, Apple Records launched its short-lived Zapple subsidiary in February 1969 as a forum for unfettered sonic exploration, or, as announced at the time, “more freaky sounds.”

George’s Electronic Sound and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Unfinished Music No. 2: Life With the Lions, both released in May 1969, were Zapple’s only releases before it was closed down. Electronic Sound’s cover art, painted by George, depicts his Moog IIIp (which was later used on four tracks by the Beatles on their album Abbey Road) with the four modules from which the sound was synthesized. Each side of the Eletornic Sound LP featured one exploratory long-form work.