This Day in Beatle History

August 23

1963 (Aug 23) - 'She Loves You' Released

In the UK, The Beatles release “She Loves You,” which becomes the best-selling UK single of all time, a record that isn’t broken until 1977, when Paul McCartney releases “Mull Of Kintyre.”

1966 (Aug 23) - Beatles #1 in Britain With 'Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine'

The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with the double a sided ‘Yellow Submarine – Eleanor Rigby’. The group’s eleventh No.1. Paul McCartney said he came up with the name Eleanor from actress Eleanor Bron, who had starred with The Beatles in the film Help! Rigby came from the name of a store in Bristol, Rigby & Evens Ltd, Wine & Spirit Shippers.

1966 (Aug 23) - Beatles Play Shea Stadium on Final US Tour

On their final tour of America, The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium in New York City, New York. Unlike the previous year’s performance, which had sold out, there were 11,000 empty seats in the 55,600 seat stadium. The Beatles earn more than the previous year, receiving $189,000 for their performance.

1967 (Aug 23) - Beatles Record 'Your Mother Should Know'

The Beatles record “Your Mother Should Know.”

1974 (Aug 23) - John Lennon Sees UFO

John Lennon claims to see a UFO from his New York apartment. He describes it as an archetypal flying saucer, surrounded by lights with a red one on top. In his next album, Walls and Bridges, he includes this note in the booklet: “On the 23rd August 1974 at 9 o’clock I saw a U.F.O. – J.L.”