Today in Beatles History: June 22

** The following events in Beatles history all took place on June 22. **

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Beatles * [J] John * [P] Paul * [G] George * [R] Ringo * [O] Other
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1957
The Quarry Men play from the back of a parked coal truck on
Rosebery St., Liverpool, during street celebrations marking the
750th anniversary of King John's issuance of a charter for the
settling and development of Liverpool. A group of toughs from
Hatherley St. threaten to beat up the group, especially "that
Lennon", but the Quarry Men beat a hasty retreat when their
performance is over, avoiding a fight. Rosebery St. wins newspaper
awards for best-decorated street outside of the city center. The
Rosebery St. residents celebrate with a second party, but the
Quarry Men aren't invited back for a second appearance. [Note:
Mark Lewisohn reports this event on June 22, as does Allen Wiener,
but Ray Coleman gives the date of May 24.] (1455)

1961
Several Beatles scholars have set June 22-23, 1961, as the most
probable dates for The Beatles' first professional recording
sessions, which took place in Hamburg, West Germany, for producer
Bert Kaempfert. Four Beatles participated (John Lennon, Paul
McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best), while Stu Sutcliffe
(who was really an ex-Beatle at this point) looked on. Backing
Tony Sheridan, they recorded a rock version of "My Bonnie Lies Over
the Ocean", later issued as simply "My Bonnie". This song was a
popular request at the Top Ten Club from visiting seamen. Other
songs recorded with Sheridan: "When the Saints Go Marching In"
(released as simply "The Saints"), "Why (Can't You Love Me Again)"
(a Tony Sheridan composition), "Nobody's Child", and "Take Out Some
Insurance On Me Baby" (also known as "If You Love Me Baby"). There
is debate as to whether this last song was recorded on June 24th.
The Beatles also recorded two songs without Sheridan: "Ain't She
Sweet" (John Lennon sings lead vocal) and "Cry For a Shadow" (a
George Harrison/John Lennon instrumental originally called "Beatle
Bop"). When "My Bonnie" was released as a single in Germany in
June 1961, it was cre***ed to Tony Sheridan and the Beat
Brothers--the name "Beatles" sounded too much like the German word
"peedles" (*****). The single sold 100,000 copies in Germany,
according to Bert Kaempfert. (1113)

1961
The Beatles perform at the Top Ten Club, Reeperbahn, Hamburg, West
Germany. (1197)

1962
The Beatles perform at the ****rn Club at lunchtime and then again
at night. (1477)

[J] 1963
While George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney travel to
Wales with road manager Neil Aspinall, John Lennon remains in
London to tape an appearance on the very popular television program
"Juke Box Jury". This show features a four-person jury reviewing
new singles just released, the jury being selected to represent
different areas of show business. On the "jury" with Lennon is TV
personality Katie Boyle, actor Bruce Prochnik, and actress Caroline
Maudling. John causes a bit of a stir when he states negative
opinions of every one of the records being reviewed, whereas it was
customary to be discreet about saying anything critical. For
instance, in reviewing Elvis Presley's "Devil in Disguise", John
says that Presley "now sounded like Bing Crosby" (Lewisohn). Due
to John's comments and votes, all but one of the singles reviewed
are voted to "Miss". The sole record judged to be a "Hit" is
Presley's. The other songs 'judged' were: Cleo Laine's "Southend";
The Tymes' "So Much In Love"; Miriam Makeba's "The Click Song"; Tom
Glaser's "On Top of Spaghetti"; Russ Conway's "Flamenco"; Paul and
Paula's "First Quarrel"; and Julie Grant's "Don't Ever Let Me
Down". The taping of the program runs until 40 minutes before The
Beatles are scheduled to perform in Wales. John is driven to
Battersea Heliport, where a helicopter chartered at a cost of 100
pounds flies John to Abergavenny, arriving just in time for The
Beatles' performance. The "Juke Box Jury" show is broadcast on
June 29. (1825)

1963
The Beatles perform at Town Hall Ballroom, Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire. (1826)

1964
The Beatles perform two shows at Town Hall in Wellington, North
Island, New Zealand. For the first time since joining John, Paul,
and George in Melbourne, Ringo is able to sing the song "Boys", the
song being added back to The Beatles' performance song-list. (2136)

1965
The Beatles, on a two-week European tour, perform two shows at the
Palais d'Hiver de Lyon, Villeurbanne, Lyon, France. (2381)

1966
Final mono and stereo mixing for the album "Revolver". Other
titles considered for the LP are "Abracadabra", "Magic Circles",
and "Beatles on Safari". "Revolver" is released in the UK on
August 5, 1966. (2544)

[G] 1973
UK release of George Harrison LP "Living in the Material World"
(Apple). Songs: "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)", "Sue Me,
Sue You Blues", "The Light That Has Lighted the World", "Don't Let
Me Wait Too Long", "Who Can See It", "Living in the Material
World", "The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)", "Be Here
Now", "Try Some, Buy Some", "The Day the World Gets 'Round", and
"That Is All". (602)



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