This Day in Beatle History

April 20

1966 (Apr 20) - Work on 'And Your Bird Can Sing' and 'Taxman'

During a 12 hour session at Abbey Road studios in London The Beatles worked on a new John Lennon song ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’, and a new George Harrison song ‘Taxman’.

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 (Apr 20) - The Beatles Record 'Only a Northern Song'

The Beatles record ‘Only a Northern Song’.

1968 (Apr 20) - Apple Music Solicits Artists

Apple Music ran advertisements soliciting tapes from unknown artists, offering financial grants as part of a deal to release records on the Apple label. Artists such as Badfinger, James Taylor, Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, David Peel and Elephant’s Memory were signed up.

1970 (Apr 20) - New York Times Reports on 'Submarine Churches'

The New York Times reports on ‘submarine churches’. These churches are inspired by the Beatles’ ‘Yellow Submarine’. Their logos are variations of a submarine with the periscope forming a peace sign.

1976 (Apr 20) - George Harrison on Stage with Monty Python

George Harrison joins Monty Python on stage at New York’s City Center. Dressed as a Canadian Mountie, he joins the chorus for ‘The Lumberjack Song’. No mention is made of Harrison’s appearance, and few recognize him. He is close friends with Eric Idle.

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.

2012 (Apr 20) - Beatle Influencer Bert Weedon Dies

Bert Weedon, whose Play in a Day guitar guide set some of the biggest names in rock and roll on the road to greatness, died, aged 91. Play in a Day, released in 1957, sold over two million copies and helped inspire a generation of budding musicians including Eric Clapton, Brian May of Queen and the late John Lennon.

April 21

1961 (Apr 21) - Beatles First Concert

The Beatles perform at what is generally acknowledged as their first concert under that name. They played lunch at the Cavern Club. Becoming regulars, they play another 291 shows at the venue.

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.

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