The Beatles with Ringo Starr, far right, who joined them in 1962. (Courtesy Apple Corps)
On this date in 1961, the Beatles - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best - played a gig at Litherland Town Hall in northern Liverpool (scroll down on the page for a picture of the hall). Among those in the audience watching the show were two members of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes -- Johnny Guitar and Ringo Starr, not yet a Beatle. The Hurricanes had just returned from a gig in Hamburg.
Also, on this date in 1966, the Beatles secretly went into CTS Studios in London to do some repair work on the soundtrack for the TV film "The Beatles at Shea Stadium." Mark Lewisohn, in "The Complete Beatles Chronicle," says Paul McCartney overdubbed new bass tracks on "Dizzy Miss Lizzy," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Baby's In Black" and "I'm Down." John Lennon also overdubbed a new organ track on the latter, which featured him doing a wild attack on the keyboard with his elbow (see below). New recordings were made for "I Feel Fine" and "Help!" "Act Naturally" was replaced with the studio recording. The finished reel aired on the BBC May 1, 1966, and in the United States on Jan. 10, 1967 on ABC. It's one of those projects rumored to be considered for release and one that's on many a Beatle fan's wish list.
Source: "The Complete Beatles Chronicle" by Mark Lewisohn.
Have our Beatles Examiner columns delivered conveniently to your inbox. Just click SUBSCRIBEbelow.It's free.(And we promise we'll never send spam or give out your information.)