This Day in Beatle History

August 9

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.

August 10

1909 (Aug 10) - Clarence Fender (Yes, the Guitar Guy) Born

Clarence Leonidas ‘Leo’ Fender, inventor and founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. The Fender Telecaster (1949) was the first mass-produced electric guitar; the Fender Stratocaster (1954) is among the world’s most iconic electric guitars and the Fender Precision Bass (1951) set the standard for electric bass guitars. Fender died on 21st March 1991 having long suffered from Parkinson’s disease.

1972 (Aug 10) - Paul & Linda Arrested in Sweden

During their Wings Over Europe Tour, Paul and Linda McCartney were arrested in Sweden for possession of drugs. McCartney joked the arrest would “make good publicity” for the tour.

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

August 11

1964 (Aug 11) - Beatles Begin Recording Fourth Album

The Beatles started recording their fourth album (‘Beatles For Sale’, not yet titled), at EMI studios in London, England.

1966 (Aug 11) - John Apologizes for Jesus Remark

At a press conference held at The Astor Towers Hotel in Chicago, John Lennon apologised for his remarks that The Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus’. Lennon told reporters “Look, I wasn’t saying The Beatles are better than God or Jesus, I said ‘Beatles’ because it’s easy for me to talk about The Beatles. I could have said ‘TV’ or ‘Cinema’, ‘Motorcars’ or anything popular and would have got away with it’’.