This Day in Beatle History

February 3

1959 (Feb 3) - Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper Die in Plane Crash

22 year old Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, aged 17, died in a crash shortly after take-off from Clear Lake, Iowa, the pilot of the single-engined Beechcraft Bonanza plane was also killed. Holly hired the plane after heating problems developed on his tour bus. All three were travelling to Fargo, North Dakota, for the next show on their Winter Dance Party Tour which Holly had set – covering 24 cities in three weeks, to make money after the break-up of his band, The Crickets, the previous year.

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.

1966 (Feb 3) - Paul Sees Stevie Wonder in Concert

Paul McCartney meets Stevie Wonder for the first time after Wonder’s show at London’s Scotch of St. James nightclub.

1968 (Feb 3) - Beatles Begin Work on 'Lady Madonna'

The Beatles started work on their new single ‘Lady Madonna’ at Abbey Road studios in London. Recording three piano and drum takes with overdub bass, fuzz guitars, drums, and vocals. Paul calls it an ‘homage to Fats Domino’. (And the official video is actually footage of the band playing ‘Hey Bulldog’.)

1969 (Feb 3) - Allen Klein Appointed Beatles Business Manager

Allen Klein is appointed business manager for the group. He is wanted by John, George and Ringo.  Paul had wanted Linda’s father, John Eastman.  At his request, Eastman is named Apple’s General Counsel to keep an eye on Klein.

1969 (Feb 3) - Ringo Begins Filming 'The Magic Christian'

Ringo begins a 13 week filming of the Peter Sellers’ movie ‘The Magic Christian’. Filming takes place at Twickenham Studios.

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 4

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.

1968 (Feb 4) - 'Across The Universe' Recorded

Working at Abbey Road studios, London, The Beatles recorded ‘Across The Universe’. John and Paul decided the song needed some falsetto harmonies so they invited two girl fans into the studio to sing on the song. The two were Lizzie Bravo, a 16-year-old Brazilian living near Abbey Road and 17-year-old Londoner Gayleen Pease.

1970 (Feb 4) - John and Yoko Meet Malcolm X

John and Yoko meet Malcolm X.

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