This Day in Beatle History

May 20

1989 (May 20) - 'Ferry 'Cross the Mersey' by Ferry Aid #1. Paul Appears on the Recording

Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey’ by Ferry Aid started a three week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart. The song was recorded to raise funds for the Hillsborough Football victims, Gerry Marsden, Paul McCartney, Holly Johnson and The Christians all featured on the recording.

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 21

1940 (May 21) - Beatles Collaborator Tony Sheridan Born

English rock and roll singer-songwriter and guitarist Tony Sheridan. He was best known as an early collaborator of The Beatles and the only non-Beatle to appear as lead singer on a Beatles recording (‘My Bonnie’) which charted as a single. Sheridan died on 16 February 2013.

1962 (Jun 6) - First Beatles Recordings at What Will Become 'Abbey Road'

The first Beatles recording session took place at EMI studios. The group recorded four tracks, one of which was ‘Love Me Do’ the four musicians received payments for the session of £7.10 ($12.07) each.

1963 (May 21) - Beatles Record Two BBC Radio Programs

The Beatles recorded two BBC radio programs at the Playhouse Theatre in London. They recorded five songs for Saturday Club and six songs for Steppin’ Out.

1966 (Feb 18) - Brian Wilson Finishes 'Good Vibrations'

Beach Boy Brian Wilson finished recording the future classic song ‘Good Vibrations’, which went on to become the band’s third US number-one hit. As a child, his mother told him that dogs could pick up “vibrations” from people, so that the dog would bark at “bad vibrations” Wilson turned this into the general idea for the song.