August 22 has been a landmark date across The Beatles’ career, from their first filmed performance to later solo projects and lasting legacy moments. Here’s a look back at what happened on this day.
1962
- Granada Television filmed The Beatles performing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. This became the first filmed record of the band.
1963
- It was announced that over 500,000 advance orders had been received for the single She Loves You / I’ll Get You.
- Concert at the Gaumont, Bournemouth, supported by Tommy Quickly and Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas.
1964
- Concert at the Empire Stadium, Vancouver (30 minutes), filmed for newsreels.
- The album A Hard Day’s Night stayed at #1 for the fifth consecutive week (UK Record Retailer chart).
- The Liverpool Echo reported that Brian Epstein was attempting to manage The Searchers.
- On the same day, Liberty Records revealed that The Chipmunks Sing the Beatles was selling 25,000 copies a day.
1965
- Concert at the Portland Coliseum, Oregon.
- Mike Maxfield, lead guitarist of the Dakotas, left the group.
1966
- In the US, The Beatles’ Revolver album was certified Gold (1 million copies sold).
1967
- At Chappell Recording Studios, the band worked on Your Mother Should Know (takes 1–8) with George Martin producing.
1968
- In Studio Two, Abbey Road, sessions began for Back in the U.S.S.R. (takes 1–5).
- Tape copying was done for Baby You’re a Rich Man.
- This was the first Beatles session without Ringo, who had temporarily quit the band.
- On the same day, Cynthia Lennon filed for divorce, citing John’s adultery.
1969
- At Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, The Beatles undertook their last official group photo session, shot by Ethan Russell, Monty Fresco, and Mal Evans. Locations included the gardens, balconies, trees, and even shots with donkeys.
- A short promotional film was also shot for The Long and Winding Road.
1970
- Live Peace in Toronto by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band ended its 33-week run on the US Billboard charts.
1971
- At the Alexandra Palace, London, John and Yoko screened five of their films (Cold Turkey, The Ballad of John and Yoko, Give Peace a Chance, Instant Karma!, Up Your Legs Forever) as part of the Art Spectrum exhibition.
1979
- George Harrison’s autobiography I Me Mine was published in a limited edition of 2,000 copies.
1983
- Abbey Road’s Studio Two hosted public shows of The Beatles at Abbey Road (performed three times daily).
1986
- Paul McCartney released his new album Press to Play.
1998
- Mark David Chapman stated he did not want to profit from the sale of John Lennon’s signed Double Fantasy album, autographed on the day of Lennon’s murder.
2014
- On this date, it was reported that Mark David Chapman was denied parole for the eighth time.
