This Day in Beatle History

June 11

1965 (Jun 11) - MBE Recipients Return Awards in Protest

Some MBE (Members of the British Empire) recipients return their awards in protest when it is announced that The Beatles will be honored with the award. The group is generally mystified, but their older relatives seem thrilled, so they accept the awards at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

1965 (Jun 11) - Paul & Jane Return From Holiday

Paul and Jane return from holiday. Brian wants them in the country when the announcement is made about the Beatles receiving MBE’s.

1969 (Jun 11) - 'The Ballad of John and Yoko' #1 in the UK

The Beatles were at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘The Ballad Of John and Yoko’ the group’s 17th UK No.1. The only two Beatles that played on the track were John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

2002 (Jun 11) - Paul McCartney Marries Heather Mills

Sir Paul McCartney married Heather Mills at St Salvator Church, Ireland. Guests included Ringo Starr, David Gilmour, Jools Holland and Chrissie Hynde. Heather walked down the aisle clutching a bouquet of 11 ‘McCartney’ roses. Mills had first met McCartney at the Pride of Britain Awards event in London in April 1999, which McCartney had attended to present an award to an animal rights activist. Mills and McCartney separated on 17 May 2006 and when divorced Mills was eventually awarded a lump sum of £16.5m, together with assets of £7.8m.

June 12

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 (Jun 12) - Beatles Arrive in Australia to 250,000 Fans

The Beatles arrived in Adelaide, Australia and were greeted by an estimated 250,000 fans, (the biggest welcome the band would ever receive), who lined the ten mile route from the airport to the city centre. The group gave their first four shows in Australia at the Centennial Hall, Adelaide over two nights, playing: I Saw Her Standing There, I Want To Hold Your Hand, All My Loving, She Loves You, Till There Was You, Roll Over Beethoven, Can’t Buy Me Love, This Boy, Long Tall Sally and Twist And Shout. Temporary member Jimmy Nicol was standing in for Ringo on drums who was recovering from having his tonsils removed.