This Day in Beatle History

1967 - Paul McCartney & Jane Asher Announce Engagement

1970 - George Harrison #1 with 'My Sweet Lord'

George becomes the first former Beatle to have a #1 in the US.  He had written the song thinking it would be a good vehicle for Billy Preston.

1979 - 'People of Kampuchea' Benefit Concerts Begin

These concerts were organized by Paul McCartney and Kurt Waldheim, and were designed to raise money for victims in Cambodia.  Among the artists appearing were Queen, The Clash, The Pretenders, The Who, Elvis Costello and Wings.

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.

1960 - The Beatles Appear at Litherland Town Hall Ballroom (Liverpool)

The group was added at the last minute.  Banners were pasted on posters saying ‘Direct From Hamburg, The Beatles!’.  Most of the audience assumed they were a German group.

1962 - 'Love Me Do' reaches #17 on the British charts

17 was the highest position the single would reach.

1963 - Lennon/McCartney Named 'Outstanding Composers of 1963'

The honor was bestowed by ‘The Times’.  Two days later, Sunday Times music critic Richard Buckle proclaimed the two as “the greatest composers since Beethoven”.

1980 - 'Double Fantasy' #1 in the US

The John and Yoko collaboration would be #1 for eight weeks.  Also on this date, ‘Just Like Starting Over’ began a five week run as #1 on the singles charts.

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.

2008 - Delaney Bramlett Dies

Died from complications due to gall bladder surgery. A member of ‘Delaney, Bonnie & Friends’, and had worked with John Lennon, George Harrison and Eric Clapton.