This Day in Beatle History

May 15

1968 (May 15) - George and Ringo Attend Cannes Film Festival

George Harrison and Ringo Starr attended the premiere of ‘Wonderwall’ at the Cannes Film Festival. The 1968 film by first-time director Joe Massot starred Jack MacGowran and Jane Birkin, and featured cameos by Anita Pallenberg. The soundtrack was composed by then-Beatle George Harrison. The film provides the name for the Oasis track ‘Wonderwall’, which was inspired by George Harrison’s score.

1969 (May 15) - John Lennon's 'Life With The Lions' Released

John Lennon’s ‘Life With The Lions’ was released on Apple’s avant-garde imprint Zapple. One side of the album was recorded on a cassette player at London’s Queen Charlotte Hospital during Yoko Ono’s pregnancy which ended in a miscarriage.

1971 (May 15) - Lennon Films Shown at Cannes

Two short John Lennon films are shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

1982 (May 15) - 'Ebony and Ivory' Goes to #1

Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney started a seven week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Ebony And Ivory’. The song gave McCartney his 24th US No.1 as a songwriter. The title was inspired by McCartney hearing Spike Milligan say “black notes, white notes, and you need to play the two to make harmony folks!”.

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.

May 16

1963 (May 16) - Beatles Live on 'Pops and Lenny' Children's Show

The Beatles appeared live on the national BBC TV children’s program ‘Pops and Lenny’, at Television Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush Green, London, in front of an live audience. The Beatles performed ‘From Me to You’ and a shortened version of ‘Please Please Me.’

1969 (May 16) - Ringo Cruises To America With Peter Sellers

Ringo and Maureen travel to America on the QEII with Peter Sellers. John had planned on being there but is denied a visa from a drug conviction.

1975 (May 16) - 'Listen To What The Man Said' Released

‘Listen To What The Man Said’ Released

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.

May 17

1967 (May 17) - Work Begins on 'You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)'

Working at Abbey Road studios The Beatles began recording a new John Lennon song ‘You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)’. The song was not finished until November 1969, and was not released until March 1970 (as the B-side of the ‘Let it Be’ single).

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