Leo Fender’s Reaction to The Beatles’ Use of Vox Amplifiers

The relationship between Leo Fender and The Beatles was strained by the band's decision to use Vox amplifiers instead of Fender products. As the founder of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Fender was proud of his amplifiers and guitars. The Beatles' choice to use Vox amplifiers, which were gaining popularity in the UK, was seen as a personal slight.

Was Leo Fender Angry About The Beatles Using Vox Amplifiers?

Leo Fender was reportedly upset over the Beatles' use of Vox amplifiers. The band had an endorsement deal with Vox, so their choice to use Vox amplifiers onstage was a natural decision. However, an amp repair guy Fender knew insisted that the band used Fenders in the studio. The root of Fender's anger was multifaceted: not only was the band using a competitor's product, but they were also helping to boost Vox's popularity at the expense of a long-time supporter of Fender's brand. Fender's frustration was heightened by the band's immense influence on music and culture in the 1960s.

The Emergence of a New Alliance: Leo Fender Attempts to Convert the Beatles

Leo Fender was in poor health and decided to sell his stake in the company in 1965, making the Beatles' choice of amp less of a primary concern. However, Fender's pride and the competition in the music equipment market led him to take action against The Beatles' use of Vox amplifiers. This became apparent during a key moment in the album 'The Beatles' when they were recording 'Don’t Pass Me By'.

The Amusing Incident at Abbey Road Studios

During the recording, Leo Fender arrived with several high-end Fender amplifiers, which he presented to the band as a gift. However, the incident that followed was anything but pleasant. Leo Fender's amperage was tested when Yoko Ono used one of the new Fender amplifiers to screech into a microphone, causing a series of reactions.

The noise was so intense that Fender covered his ears and screamed in pain, while Linda McCartney spilled her tea on Paul's bass guitar, causing a crash. The string on George Harrison's guitar snapped, and he quit the band again. George Martin, the band's producer, winced as the feed was cut. The new Fender amplifier began sparking and smoking, ultimately exploding and filling the studio with flames and smoke. Ringo Starr quickly moved to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, exacerbating the situation by burning his fingers.

The band was left reeling, while Fender was left astonished. It was later revealed that Vox had developed a special circuit to withstand Yoko's unpredictable wails. The incident ended the partnership between Fender and the Beatles, and The Beatles continued to use Vox amplifiers.

Conclusion

The story of Leo Fender’s reaction to The Beatles' use of Vox amplifiers is a fascinating tale that highlights the competitive nature of the music equipment industry during the 1960s. Despite Fender's large reputation in the industry, personal pride and competition led to a serious escalation of events that ended in a dramatic and comical incident.

References

Fender, L. (Year). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

The Beatles. (Year). Abbey Road Studios.

Vox. (Year). Endorsement Deals with The Beatles.