This Day in Beatle History

April 30

2008 (Apr 30) - 'Give Peace A Chance' Lyrics to be Auctioned

Gail Renard, who was given the hand written lyrics to ‘Give Peace A Chance’ by John Lennon in 1969, announced plans to sell the lyric sheet at a Christie’s auction. At the time, Lennon told Renard to hang on to the piece of paper, saying “It will be worth something someday.” The piece of music history was expected to fetch around $400,000, but when it was actually sold in July of this year, it went for $790,000 (£400,000).

2008 (Feb 20) - Beatles' Autographed Rolling Stones Album Auctioned

A 1976 Rolling Stones album bought for £2 at a car boot sale sold for £4,000 at an auction. The ‘Black and Blue’ LP was signed by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Paul and Linda McCartney and George Harrison as well as members of the Rolling Stones. The seller obtained the album after haggling the cost down from £3.

2019 (Apr 30) - DJ Russ Gibb Dies. Launched the 'Paul Is Dead' Rumor

American concert promoter and media personality Russ Gibb died. He was best known for his role in the “Paul McCartney is dead” phenomenon, a story he broke as a disc jockey on radio station WKNR-FM in Detroit.

May 1

1962 (May 1) - Beatles at 'The Star Club', Hamburg

The Beatles started a month long residency at The Star Club, Hamburg, Germany. American musicians including Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Everly Brothers, Bill Haley, Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Lee Lewis also all appeared here.

1964 (May 1) - Beatles Get 'Bubble Gum' Contract

The Beatles received $140,000 dollars for the rights to having their pictures included in packages of bubble gum in the USA.

1966 (May 1) - Beatles Last 'Live' UK Appearance

The Beatles played live for the last time in the UK when they appeared at the NME Poll Winners concert at Wembley Empire Pool. The Beatles set included; ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Nowhere Man’, ‘Day Tripper’, ‘If I Needed Someone’ and ‘I’m Down’. Also on the bill, The Spencer Davis Group, The Fortunes, Herman’s Hermits, Roy Orbison, The Rolling Stones, The Seekers, The Small Faces, Dusty Springfield, The Walker Brothers, The Who and The Yardbirds.

1968 (May 1) - Paul and John Attend Bill Haley Concert

Paul and John watch Bill Haley at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

1999 (May 1) - 'The Paintings of Paul McCartney' Exhibit Opens

The Paintings of Paul McCartney exhibit opened at the Lyz Art Forum, Siegen, Germany. The exhibit featured 70 paintings by the former Beatle, including a piece called ‘Bowie Spewing’ McCartney’s representation of a young David Bowie.

2008 (Feb 20) - Beatles' Autographed Rolling Stones Album Auctioned

A 1976 Rolling Stones album bought for £2 at a car boot sale sold for £4,000 at an auction. The ‘Black and Blue’ LP was signed by John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Paul and Linda McCartney and George Harrison as well as members of the Rolling Stones. The seller obtained the album after haggling the cost down from £3.

May 2

1963 (May 2) - 'From Me To You' #1

The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘From Me To You’, the group’s first No.1 and the first of eleven consecutive No.1’s. The title of the song was inspired from a letters column called From You To Us that ran in the British music newspaper, The New Musical Express.

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