This Day in Beatle History

August 8

1966 (Aug 8) - South African Broadcasting Co. Bans Beatle Records

In response to John Lennon’s remark about The Beatles being bigger than Jesus, The South African Broadcasting Corporation banned all Beatles records. Also on this day The Beatles LP Revolver was released in the US, the bands seventh album featured: ‘Taxman’, ‘Eleanor Rigby’, ‘I’m Only Sleeping’, ‘Here, There and Everywhere’, ‘She Said She Said’, ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. It spent 77 weeks on the Billboard chart peaking at No.1.

1969 (Aug 8) - Abbey Road Photo Session Takes Place

The photo session for the cover of The Beatles Abbey Road album took place on the crossing outside Abbey Road studios. Photographer Iain McMillan, balanced on a step-ladder in the middle of the road took six shots of John, Ringo, Paul, and George walking across the zebra crossing while a policeman held up the traffic. The band then returned to the studio and recorded overdubs on ‘The End’, ‘I Want You (She’s So Heavy)’ and ‘Oh! Darling’.

1980 (Aug 8) - John Records 'Just Like Starting Over'

John is in studio where he records ‘Just Like Starting Over’

2010 (Aug 8) - Mark David Chapman Parole Hearing Delayed

John Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman, had his parole hearing delayed until early September so that officials could gather additional information. The 55-year-old Chapman became eligible for parole in 2000 after serving 20 years, but had been denied his freedom five times.

2019 (Aug 8) - Fiftieth Anniversary of Abbey Road Cover Shoot

Thousands of Beatles fans made a pilgrimage to London’s Abbey Road 50 years after the group walked over its zebra crossing for the cover of the last album the band recorded. Transport for London said two bus routes were briefly diverted as queues to cross the road blocked access.

August 9

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.

1964 (Aug 9) - Futurist Theater in Scarborough

The band appears in concert at the Futurist Theater in Scarborough.

1968 (Aug 9) - Paul Records 'Mother Natures Son'

After the other Beatles had gone home for the evening (2.00 am), Paul McCartney stayed behind and recorded ‘Mother Nature’s Son’, taping 25 takes at Abbey Road studios. The song was included on The White Album.

1977 (Aug 9) - Paul Records 'Mull of Kintyre'

August 10

1909 (Aug 10) - Clarence Fender (Yes, the Guitar Guy) Born

Clarence Leonidas ‘Leo’ Fender, inventor and founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. The Fender Telecaster (1949) was the first mass-produced electric guitar; the Fender Stratocaster (1954) is among the world’s most iconic electric guitars and the Fender Precision Bass (1951) set the standard for electric bass guitars. Fender died on 21st March 1991 having long suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

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