This Day in Beatle History

February 1

1967 (Feb 1) - Work Begins on 'Sgt Peppers'


At Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles started work on a new song ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. It wasn’t until The Beatles had recorded the song that Paul McCartney had the idea to make the song the thematic pivot for their forthcoming album.

1986 (Feb 1) - Dick James Dies

Dick James, co-funder of DJM Records and the Beatles’ publishing company Norhtern Songs, dies of a heart attack at age 65.

2008 (Feb 1) - NASA Announces 'Across The Universe' Heading to Deep Space

US space agency Nasa announced that ‘Across the Universe’ by The Beatles was to become the first song ever to be beamed directly into space. The track would be transmitted through the Deep Space Network – a network of antennas – on the 40th anniversary of the song being recorded, being aimed at the North Star, Polaris, 431 light-years from Earth. In a message to NASA, Paul McCartney said the project was an “amazing” feat.”Well done, Nasa,” he added. “Send my love to the aliens. All the best, Paul.” The actual transmission took place on February 4, 2008.

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.

February 2

1959 (Feb 2) - Last Appearance for Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper

Buddy Holly, Richard Valens and The Big Bopper all appeared at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa. This was all three acts last ever gig before being killed in a plane crash the following day.

1962 (Feb 2) - Beatles First Appearance at the Oasis Club Manchester

The Beatles played their first professionally organised gig outside of Liverpool at The Oasis Club, Manchester. The groups set started with their version of ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’.

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.

1963 (Feb 2) - Beatles On The Lineup at Gaumont Cinema

The Beatles play the first show of a package tour headlined by Helen Shapiro. The show is at Bradford’s Gaumont Cinema. The tour will last into March.

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.

1969 (Feb 2) - Yoko Ono Divorces Tony Cox

Yoko Ono divorced her husband Tony Cox, Yoko was granted custody of their daughter Kyoko. John Lennon married Yoko the following month on 30th March.

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