This Day in Beatle History - The Beatle Zone

December 17

1960 (Dec 17) - Back From Hamburg, To The Casbah

Returning from Hamburg, The Beatles appeared at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool. Chas Newby joined The Beatles on bass guitar (to replace Stuart Sutcliffe, who had remained in Hamburg), a position he would hold for only two weeks and four performances. When Newby bowed out to return to college, Paul McCartney became The Beatles’ bass player.

1963 (Dec 17) - First Beatles Record on US Radio

James Carroll at WWDC in Washington, DC, became the first disc jockey to broadcast a Beatles record on American radio. Carroll played ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, which he had obtained from his stewardess girlfriend, who brought the single back from the UK. Due to listener demand, the song was played daily, every hour. Since it hadn’t been released yet in the States, Capitol Records initially considered court action, but instead released the single earlier than planned.

1967 (Dec 17) - Beatles Fan Club Secretaries Party

The Beatles’ John Lennon and George Harrison throw a party in London for the area secretaries of their official Fan Club. The film Magical Mystery Tour is screened here for the first time.

1977 (Dec 17) - George Plays Unannounced Live Set

George Harrison played an unannounced live set for the regulars at his local pub in Henley-On-Thames near his home in the UK.

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.

2010 (Dec 17) - Sir Paul Plays Benefit at the 100 Club

Sir Paul McCartney performed an intimate lunchtime gig at the 100 Club on London’s Oxford Street, the historic music venue threatened with closure. Around 300 fans were treated to a set lasting almost two hours, in what was McCartney’s smallest gig in the UK for nearly 10 years. A campaign to keep the 100 Club open had attracted support from Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and Sir Mick Jagger.

December 18

1962 (Dec 18) - Beatles Begin Fifth Visit to West Germany

On their fifth visit to West Germany The Beatles played the first night of a two-week engagement at the Star-Club, Hamburg. A 13 night run, playing 3 hours each night. The final night’s performance, on New Year’s Eve, was recorded and became known as ‘The Star-Club Tapes’, released in 1977 against the wishes of the ex-Beatles themselves.

1963 (Dec 18) - One Beatle Tune Replaces Another

“I Want To Hold Your Hand” replaces “She Loves You” at #1 on the UK singles chart.

1966 (Dec 18) - Car Crash Inspires 'A Day In The Life'

Tara Browne was killed when driving at high speed in his Lotus Elan after it collided with a parked lorry in South Kensington, London. A close friend of The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Brian Jones his death was immortalized in The Beatles song ‘A Day In The Life’ after John Lennon read a report on the coroner’s verdict into Browne’s death.

1972 (Dec 18) - Ringo Directed 'Born To Boogie' Premieres

The Ringo Starr-directed T. Rex documentary, Born to Boogie, premieres at Oscar’s Cinema in Brewer Street, Soho (UK). In attendance are Starr, the members of T. Rex, and Elton John.

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