This Day in Beatle History

May 20

1967 (May 20) - George Visits Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

George Harrison visits the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time.

1967 (May 20) - BBC Bans 'A Day In The Life'

Because of the line, “I’d love to turn you on,” the BBC bans ‘A Day In The Life’. Their reasoning? They think it might promote drug use.

1967 (May 20) - Special Preview of 'Sgt Pepper's' on the BBC

The Beatles new album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band had a special preview on the Kenny Everett BBC Light program, ‘Where It’s At’, playing every track from the album, (except ‘A Day In The Life’ which the BBC had banned saying it could promote drug taking).

1968 (May 20) - Impromptu Recording Session at George's House

The Beatles armed with a bunch of new songs after their visit to India, met at George Harrison’s home in Esher, Surrey. They taped 23 new songs on George’s 4-track recorder, many of which would end up on The Beatles’ next two albums, (The White Album) and Abbey Road. The demos include: ‘Cry Baby Cry’, Revolution’, ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’, ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Child of Nature’ (a Lennon song that became ‘Jealous Guy’).

1970 (May 20) - George Harrison Demos For Phil Spector

George Harrison meets producer Phil Spector at Abbey Road Studios. He plays demos of the songs which will appear on his debut album ‘All Things Must Pass’.

1970 (May 20) - The Film 'Let It Be' Debuts in London and Liverpool

Let It Be, the final feature film involving The Beatles was premiered simultaneously in London and Liverpool a week after the film’s US release.

1978 (May 20) - 'With A Little Luck' #1 in the US

Paul McCartney went to No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘With A Little Luck’, his sixth solo US No.1.

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.

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