This Day in Beatle History

July 4

2002 (Jul 4) - George Harrison Attacker Michael Abram Released

Michael Abram, the man who attacked and nearly murdered George Harrison some 19 months earlier, is given a conditional release by a Mental Health Review Tribunal, to the fury of George’s widow, Olivia. Says Abram: “If I could turn back the clock I would give anything not to have done what I did. But I have come to realise that I was very ill at that time, really not in control.”

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.

2009 (Jul 4) - Allen Klein Dies

77-year-old Allen Klein, the former manager of The Rolling Stones and later The Beatles, died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The assets of his company, ABKCO Music & Records, include recordings by The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Bobby Womack, The Kinks, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell and many others.

2014 (Jul 4) - 'A Hard Day's Night Re-released'

The first Beatles movie, A Hard Day’s Night, is re-released in American theaters to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

July 5

1963 (Jul 5) - Beatles In West Midland, Denny Laine On The Bill

The Beatles played at the Plaza Ballroom in Dudley in the West Midlands. Appearing The Beatles was Denny and the Diplomats, led by Denny Laine, who went on to join the Moody Blues and eventually, Paul McCartney’s group Wings.

2008 (Feb 20) - Beatles' Autographed Rolling Stones Album Auctioned

July 6

1957 (Jul 6) - Paul McCartney Meets John Lennon

John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time at The Woolton Church Parish Fete where The Quarry Men were appearing. As The Quarry Men were setting up for their evening performance, McCartney eager to impress Lennon picked up a guitar and played ‘Twenty Flight Rock’ (Eddie Cochran) and ‘Be-Bop-A-Lula’ (Gene Vincent). Lennon was impressed, and even more so when McCartney showed Lennon and Eric Griffiths how to tune their guitars, something they’d been paying someone else to do for them.