This Day in Beatle History

September 28

2009 (Sep 28) - The 'Lucy' Who Inspired 'Lucy In The Sky' Dies

Lucy Vodden, the childhood pal of John Lennon’s son Julian, passed away at the age of 46 after losing her battle with auto-immune disease lupus. She was the inspiration for The Beatles track ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds’, written mostly by John after Julian showed his father a nursery school drawing he called Lucy – in the sky with diamonds, depicting his classmate.

2010 (Sep 28) - Ringo's Childhood Home Vandalized

Souvenir hunters were being condemned for “wanton vandalism” after sections of masonry were hacked off the house of Ringo Starr’s birthplace. Fans who were campaigning to halt town hall plans to demolish 9 Madryn Street, found that chunks of brickwork had been removed from the house.

September 29

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 (Sep 29) - Beatles Proficient in Studio

The Beatles record “Every Little Thing,” “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party,” and “What You’re Doing.”

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.

1967 (Sep 29) - John Hears Shakespeare and Decides to Incorporate It

John Lennon flips on the radio while working on “I Am The Walrus” and hears a BBC broadcast of the Shakespeare play King Lear, which he decides to mix into the song.

1967 (Sep 29) - Work Continues on 'I Am The Walrus'

Working at Abbey Road in London, The Beatles mixed the new John Lennon song ‘I Am The Walrus’, which included the sound of a radio being tuned through numerous stations, coming to rest on a BBC production of William Shakespeare’s “King Lear”. Lennon composed the song by combining three songs he had been working on. When he learned that a teacher at his old primary school was having his students analyse Beatles’ lyrics, he added a verse of nonsense words.

1968 (Jan 20) - 'Judy In Disguise' is #1. Inspired by 'Lucy In The Sky'?


One Hit Wonders John Fred and the Playboy Band started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Judy In Disguise, (With Glasses)’.  It topped at No.3 in the UK.  The song was allegedly inspired by The Beatles ‘Lucy In The Sky’.

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.

2015 (Sep 29) - Beatles First Contract With Brian Epstein Sold

The original contract signed by The Beatles and manager Brian Epstein sold at Sotheby’s for £365,000, ($548.000). The 1962 document was said to be one of the most important contracts in popular music, marking the beginning of the band’s journey to international fame.

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