Days in the life: The Beatles’ history

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90 thoughts on “Days in the life: The Beatles’ history”

  1. John Frum

    This list is very uneven: Maureen Cox’ birthday is there, but not Barbara Bach’s (27 August 1947). John’s half-sister Victoria is mentioned, but not George’s well-known sister Louise (b. 16 August 1931), or George’s brothers.

    A work in progress?

    Reply
    1. Joe

      Yes, of course it’s a work in progress – the list certainly isn’t finished (at the time of writing I’m midway through 1964). However, I’m not going to list the birth dates of every sibling and wife. The partners I’ve written about played key roles in the story up to the 1970 break-up (Barbara Bach came in afterwards), and the siblings are mentioned when there’s a particularly interesting background story (hence Victoria’s inclusion).

      Life’s too short to detail absolutely everyone, and I don’t think there’s really a demand for it. And where do you stop? Should I mention the births of The Beatles’ parents? Grandparents? School teachers, promoters and studio staff? I’d probably only add Louise Harrison et al if/when I’d covered everything else, but it’s unlikely I’ll do it.

      Reply
      2. hal

        i think johns other half sister julia is at least as important since she wrote a book that shed some light on their family life and was the one john was in touch with towards the end of his life.

        Reply
      4. Carole Westwood

        The Beatles performed at The lack Cat Club City Road Sheffield. Pete Stringfellows first night club originally At Aidens Church . before the played the Azena. It is said that they didn’t because enter was too small but I was there.

        Reply
      5. Scott Morris

        Worth mentioning Brian Epstein’s death as that might have been one of the main causes of The Beatles’ splitting – especially as far as John was concerned. Yet it WAS mentioned that Brian was hospitalised, and later (or possibly at the same time) denied a Beatles split.

        Still, as you are presently upto 1964, there’s plenty of time to fill in the more momentous occasions still to come.

        Reply
    2. jeff

      There is always one of you trying to prove something. I say we give the creator a break.
      There is a lot of great stuff here and to chime in with your comment is a bit unnecessary.

      PEACE

      Reply
      1. Wendy Babbitt

        This is one of the best websites of any subject on the internet. It is comprehensive; well-researched; well- written and edited; and user-friendly. As someone who has dabbled in editing, I know how hard it is to accomplish all of this. Thank you. Very impressive.

        Reply
    1. whymsfit

      Hey, neighbor… I grew up in Detroit/in the ‘burbs now. I can’t remember very much about last week – but I CAN remember VIVIDLY being 9 years old, & seeing the Beatles for the first time in 1962 at Olympia stadium in Detroit. I saw them again in 64. My “rich” aunt splurged on buying all her nieces tickets, which at the time was an outrageous price, something like $5-$7, LOL. One of those experiences you will NEVER forget. Will check out your blog…many thanks!

      Reply
      1. MikeP

        LOL! Your memory of back then isn’t so great either.
        The years of the two Olympia (great hockey arena!) concerts were 1964 and 1966.
        I dare say you hadn’t heard of the Beatles in 1962.
        (BTW- remember WKNR – Keener 13? Huge supporters of the Beatles and other British Invasion groups as well as Motown, of course).

        Reply
      2. Charles J Pan

        You must have been a 9 yr.old on acid in 1962. The Beatles didn’t arrive in US until Feb. 9th 1964. Some idiots might believe you but you can’t pull the wool over a true fan’s eyes….

        Reply
      3. David Molton

        George Harrison was the first Beatle to visit the United States in September of 1963. He came to Visit his sister Louise with his brother Peter. The Beatles first arrived in NYC in February 1964. Check out Louise Harrison’s book ‘My Kid Brothers Band’.
        You have your dates wrong. Don’t be sad… it happens.

        Reply
  6. marc

    Hello !
    Realy great Page ! Thanx a lot !
    Ich have some dates for your History:
    22.10.89 Paul live in Munich Olympiahall Germany
    09.09.93 Paul live in Munich Olympiahall Germany
    13.07.2011 Rino Starr and his all Star Band live Munich Cirkus Krone Germany
    (The Place the Beatles played in 1966)

    All these Concerts where Parts of a tour, so I think it must be possible to find out the other tour Dates !
    Greetings from munich !
    marc

    Reply
    1. Joe

      Thanks. I’m not taking user submissions at this stage. There are a great many other tour dates and other incidents to include, and this comments section would be awash with suggestions if everyone got involved. I have plenty of information still to add, I just need to find time to make all the pages.

      Reply
      1. Jamie S.

        You’ve done a yeoman’s job creating this website. I have a question. I attended The Beatles concert at The Paramount Theatre in NYC…September 1964. It was an incredible night with many fantastic acts. I remember Ed Sullivan. He was the emcee and when he introduced The Beatles the place went NUTS. I was in the balcony (right in front of Paul) and it shook the whole night! I remember The Shanghai-las and The Tokens. But, I don’t remember other acts. This concert never gets discussed…very frustrating. Thank you for making mention of one of my most precious memories. My father bought 2 tickets…$11.00 each. That was A LOT of money back then. What a night. Actually, it was a wonderful day. We got there at around 3:00 and waited in line for hours. It was fun being with other people who loved The Beatles as much as I did. I’m 71 yrs old now, but I can picture everything as if it were last night. Sigh…

        Reply
  7. roy lomas

    the beatles played at the majestic club in oldham on a friday night in 1961/2 I help them up the stair into the ballroom and on to the stage derrick johns was the campare ican remember they was £5

    Reply
  10. mja6758

    Don’t know if this is any use but here are the dates I’ve tracked down over the years from my own notes on people. Never been able to find b’day for, say, Rod Davis, but I have a lot – though you may already have them all.

    Len Garry (6 January 1942)
    Eric Griffiths (31 October 1940-29 January 2005)
    Colin Hanton (12 December 1938)
    Johnny “Hutch” Hutchinson (18 July 1940)
    John Charles “Duff” Lowe (13 April 1942)
    Thomas Henry “Tommy” Moore (12 September 1931-29 September 1981)
    Peter Shotton (4 August 1941)
    Ivan Vaughan (18 June 1942-16 August 1993)
    Nigel Whalley (30 June 1941)

    Reply
  11. edward slack

    Hello. I saw the Beatles at Luton Odeon September 6th 63. I am desperately seeking an answer to the following. I was at Luton Airport on my bike sometime 64 I think. A chauffeur driven car stopped by me to ask the way to the terminal. In it was John, George, Cynthia and I suppose Patti. They took a chartered DH125 (red and white I think). When was this ? Where were they going ? I’ve checked all history sites to no avail. Please help.

    Reply
  12. Michael K

    As a result of Eminem having all of his albums in the Billboard 200 currently, some interesting data has emerged for two dates in 2010 on which The Beatles beat set records for number of simultaneous albums on the BB200 and which I think duly must be added to ‘Beatles history’, especially as they break, at the end of 2010, the record they set at the beginning of 2010!

    On the Jan. 9, 2010 chart, folliowing the 090909 release of their remasters on CD, they logged 11 albums
    simultaneously on the chart
    On the Dec. 4, 2010 chart, following their iTunes debut, they logged 14 albums
    simultaneously on the chart

    Reply
  14. Nicolas

    Hi ! Thanks for your amazing work !

    One other suggestion for this section : on September 13, 1966 Paul and Ringo received a NME Pop Poll award on behalf of the group on the Post Office Tower in London.

    Reply
  15. Ron Nasty

    I hate this page. I hate it with a vengeance! So fecking long to load. 3000+ entries, what else can be expected?!!!

    Anyway way to subdivide it beneath years? Front page gives years, open the year and it gives you that year’s diary entry links. I’m sure it would speed up loading if front page was years, and the specific was behind that.

    Reply
  16. Michael Wolf

    Thanks for this, Joe. Of particular interest to me were the pre Beatlemania years and how hard those guys worked. Night after night after night with the occasional lunch gig, no wonder they were so tight. I’ve worked in hard working bands like that from time to time and it was killer! Clearly you’ve put a lot of work into this excellent diary as we’ll (so much so you’ve made poor ron nasty’s head spin) and for that I applaud you! Now on to the rest of your site and my ongoing Beatles retrospective. With glass raised – Cheers!

    Reply
  21. Jonathan

    Hi Joe. another for your history section:
    On May 30th 1966, The Beatles are stopped for speeding in John Lennon`s Rolls Royce in a police radar trap in Bushy Park, Teddington.

    William Anthony, a Beatles chauffeur, was driving at 48mph to shake off “fans” when he was stopped by a radar trap in Bushy Park, Teddington on May 30th 1966, it was said at Feltham Magistrates Court, Middlesex, yesterday. Anthony, of Rutterwyk Road, Chertsey, was fined £1 for exceeding the speed limit.
    His solicitor, Mr David Jacobs, pleaded Guilty on his behalf, and said that three of The Beatles were in John Lennon`s Rolls Royce when some fans in a mini car saw them and persisted in driving alongside them, trying to peer into the windows.
    “The only thing Mr Anthony could do was accelerate, as traffic was coming towards them and there might have been an accident”, Mr Jacobs said.
    A policeman said later that the occupants of the mini car got The Beatles autographs when police stopped the Rolls Royce.

    The Times Aug 23rd 1966

    Reply
  23. Vera Baker

    Why is Paul McCartney apparently not in the Walk of Fame stars in Hollywood, CA?? Think I saw where George and Ringo got their stars but don’t remember seeing where Paul got his?? Also, one could be put for John Lennon beside Paul’s but it wouldn’t have the handprints they usually do. Can somebody ck. on this for me? Paul was upset that Ringo never got into the Music Hall of Fame and told them that it just wouldn’t do! Ringo was inducted almost immediately after Paul found out their error as the other 3 were already in the Hall of Fame. Come on peeps, I think Paul has more than earned his star. Let’s get ‘er done now !!!!

    Reply
  25. Nathan

    When you add Paul’s gig at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace on October 13, 2016 let me know! I was there and would be happy to provide pictures and comments. It was absolutely amazing!!

    Reply
  27. manteau

    I just want to add a little data : In the autumn of 2005, the cité de la musique in Paris hosted a John Lennon exhibition, It was quite comprehensive. I ‘ve forgotten the name but a research on internet should bring it back. It’s a fantastic job you’ve done/are still doing Joe, all the best!

    Reply
    1. Rose Prulx

      Neither of John’s half sisters are mentioned (Julia and Jackie) now is Heather Eastman, or Mary McCartney (born in 1969).Definitely needs more working on. Oh, and Roag Best ( what was Mona thinking carrying on with Neil Aspinall when she was married?!!).

      Reply
  30. Csaba M.

    I discovered this site two weeks ago – it is simply amazing! Since then I have been here whenever I have some free time. What a huge amount of work must have been put into it…!!! I am speechless.
    Greetings from Hungary.
    P.S.: I have got a quick question: Is there a list of the concerts recorded in any way – audio or video?

    Reply
  31. Jeff Bogue

    it is been a long time since I’ve had a computer, probably at least 10 years but I’m glad I found the site again . This is the most comprehensive site out of any band that I have ever seen in my life …what an awesome job . Thank you very much

    Reply
  32. Nancy Riley

    Paul was interviewed at his London home on his birthday June 18, 1967, which was when he admitted to taking LSD, not the 19th. I also saw an interview of his brother Mike who said it was on his birthday.

    Reply
  33. Bartt

    Great job with this timeline, though I think that there is one flaw to it… there has been some events in The Beatles history that just cannot be pinpointed to a one, single date… for example, we know that sometime in June 1966 George Harrison met Ravi Shankar, asked to be his student and was accepted, but we don’t know when exactly.. or we know that the video for “Something” was filmed sometime in late October 1969, but we also don’t know the exact date.. therefore these events don’t appear on the timeline at all, as if they didn’t happen. That’s the only flow of trying to be so precise 🙂 But other than that it’s an amazing site!

    Reply
  34. Laurie Starobin

    I’m trying to remember exactly what year I saw them live at Suffolk Downs Raceway in East Boston. It was my very first concert and I was either 14 or 16, making it either 1964 or 1966. Does anybody know? Or is there any way to find out when they appeared there?

    Reply
  35. dougpitts

    In 1995, you don’t have the premiere on American television of the Beatles Anthology, the cd sets of same and the release of the Free as a Bird single.

    Reply
  37. Dominique

    I’m trying to find more about The Beatles/ 1962-1966 and The Beatles/ 1967-1970. The only thing I heard they came out in 1973 by Klein. Do you know where I can find something about those two albums on here?

    Reply
  38. MVP

    Curious – no entry for September 8th, 1969?

    Seems like this connects with the timeline of John deciding to leave the Beatles several days later (09-12-1969). Then after they lost control of Northern Songs on 09-19-1969, he tells them about his departure a day later.

    Reply
  39. Speed skater

    The History section is really amazing. Such a passionate description of all these events under specific dates is a real world championship. Only between May 1970 and July 2008, not much happens. Joe, is this still work in progress?

    Reply
    1. Joe

      Sort of. I know there are huge gaps, and I’d like to fill in the key dates from 1970, but at the moment I’m focusing my time on http://www.bowiebible.com, my other site. When that’s in a more finished state I’ll get back to the Beatles history.

      Please don’t suggest dates though – I’ll research everything in my own time.

      Reply
  40. Eric Kmentt

    Joe,

    First of all, thank you for your tireless work on everything that went into constructing and maintaining this amazing site. There is an incredible amount of information and accuracy! Please note, the following is not in any way a complaint or criticism, and I hope it is not taken as such. Missing from the timeline is Jimmie Nicol briefly filling in for Ringo on a Beatles tour in summer 1964 as Ringo was ill and unable to go. As you know, he played several concerts and even appeared on TV during that time. As Nicol is the only person to ever fill in for a Beatle, it seems appropriate for inclusion on the timeline. I am certain you’re thoroughly aware of this and it was simply overlooked in your exhaustive work. Again, I hope you will not take this as a criticism or attempt to find mistakes. Thanks once again for all your incredible work!

    Reply
  41. enrico rosetti

    Hi.

    I love this site. I’ve spent hours on it over the years. But I’m just now looking over the whole History section. No one expects you to get everything, but I would think Linda McCartney’s death would get a line. When was that? 1997? or ’98?

    Reply
    1. Joe

      17 April 1998. I’ve added some post-1970 dates, but I know there are many holes to be filled (they had to count them all). One day I hope there will be none.

      Reply
  42. chicagogal44

    Hi! Wonderful, wonderful list! I’d like to suggest: George Harrison married Olivia Arias on September 2, 1978. Dhani Harrison was born August 1, 1978.

    Reply
  44. William

    I just stumbled on this website, as I was listening to my vinyl copy of the UK release of HELP! I did not read through all of comments but does anyone have a good chronolgy for the “Paul is dead” hoax? A friend of mine in college (in the late 1970s) told me an FM radio station in Buffalo did a very comprehensive hour on the hoax but the sites I have looked at are not very well-researched.

    Reply
  45. Maya

    You should add the interview Paul did with Life magazine on November 7th, 1969. The reporter trespassed on his farm so Paul threw a bucket of water at him. Then he did an interview and posed for a photo so the initial photo of the incident didn’t get released. Paul actually says “the Beatle thing is over” in this interview but somehow no one picked up on it. Here are my sources: https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/interview/the-case-of-the-mising-beatles-paul-is-still-with-us/amp/ and http://www.beatlesinterviews.org/db1969.1107.beatles.html .

    Reply
  46. LGM

    Do we know the approximate date of changing the band’s name to the Beatles? Was it at the same time that they travelled to Germany the first time?

    Reply
    1. Joe

      There might be. As you can see, I have barely scratched the solo years. Although I have some good sources to fill in some of the gaps, it’s an enormous undertaking. If I have time in the future it’ll be added, but don’t hold your breath (and please don’t send more requests).

      Reply
  48. Aurora

    Great site, excellent work! Nothing else like it on the internet. You’re doing God’s work. Any information re a brief trip Paul took to Sardinia, with his cousin and Maggie McGivern, in Sept ’68? It would have been either the 1st few days that month or the last week. McGivern claims they spent a weekend there, flying in from London. Ringo came back from Sardinia to re-join the group on Sept 2nd, I wonder if Paul took a quick trip down to see him there or maybe visited on his recommendation.

    Reply

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