John Lennon playing Ovation Legend 1651 guitar at The Hit Factory, September 8, 1980. Original photograph by David M. Spindel. Via John Lennon Facebook page.

RECORDING

In Bermuda, where Lennon composed ‘Grow Old With Me,’ he had his Ovation Legend 1651 guitar that an assistant had brought to the island from New York.[1] It is likely that this guitar was used for the original demos of the song.

Lennon recorded on a Sony CF-6500II boom box, referred to as the ZILBA'P. An assistant purchased the recorder in Bermuda.[2] Lennon also used a National Panasonic RS-4360 DFT to double track songs while there.[3] However, Lennon is not believed to have double tracked ‘Grow Old With Me’ at this time.

Lennon also had access to a grand piano where he was staying in Bermuda. However, it is not believed that he used that piano to demo ‘Grow Old With Me.’

All of the piano demos of the song are believed to have been recorded at the Dakota in New York City. Ono said in the liner notes to Milk and Honey that Lennon’s final home demo of the song was recorded in the couple’s bedroom with a piano and rhythm box.

[1] Womack, Kenneth. John Lennon: The Last Days in the Life. Blackstone Publishing. 2020. p.120.

[2] Womack, Kenneth. John Lennon: The Last Days in the Life. Blackstone Publishing. 2020. p.123.

[2] Womack, Kenneth. John Lennon: The Last Days in the Life. Blackstone Publishing. 2020. p.127.