The Beatles - Live at EMI House, Manchester Square, London (April 5, 1963)

On April 5, 1963, The Beatles received their first silver disc for selling over 250,000 copies of their single "Please Please Me." The award was presented during a ceremony at EMI House in central London. The group performed privately for record company executives during the event, with their producer George Martin also in attendance. A video of the performance was later uploaded to YouTube in January 2022, capturing this significant moment in The Beatles' early career.

 

John Lennon & Yoko Ono on The Eamonn Andrews Show (April 3, 1969)

John Lennon and Yoko Ono's appearance on The Eamonn Andrews Show on April 3, 1969, was a notable television moment marked by both tension and wit. Hosted at the Café Royal restaurant in London and broadcast live by Thames Television, the show featured an eclectic mix of guests including singer Rolf Harrison, comedian Jack Benny, violinist Yehudi Menuhin, and singer Gaynor Jones.

The atmosphere was charged with curiosity and criticism regarding Lennon and Ono's unconventional peace activism, particularly their recent "bed-in" protest. Jack Benny's humorous quip about not wanting to get involved in the controversy set the tone for a lively exchange. Yehudi Menuhin added a touch of irony by pointing out the absence of Jesus's commentary on staying in bed in the New Testament.

The interview itself was confrontational, with Lennon and Ono defending their actions against audience hostility. Lennon emphasized their commitment to peace and their use of media attention to promote activism. However, audience members expressed skepticism and disapproval, accusing Lennon of being out of touch with reality and criticizing his influence on youth.

Despite the tension, Lennon and Ono maintained their composure, engaging in witty banter with the audience. Lennon's playful comparison of acorns to symbols of growth elicited both laughter and further criticism. The exchange encapsulated the complexity of public perception surrounding Lennon and Ono's activism, showcasing their resilience in the face of adversity.

 

John Lennon on Juke Box Jury (June 22, 1963)

On June 22, 1963, John Lennon appeared on the BBC-TV program "Juke Box Jury" at Television Theatre in London. The episode aired a week later on June 29, 1963. "Juke Box Jury" was a weekly show where a panel of celebrities rated newly released records as either 'HIT' or 'MISS' based on their personal opinions.

Lennon's appearance on the show caused a stir as he rated every record as a 'MISS,' prompting criticism from some who viewed him as cynical. During the taping, Lennon gave a scathing review of Elvis Presley's new record "Devil In Disguise," expressing disappointment with Presley's departure from his earlier style.

After the taping, Lennon was flown by helicopter from Battersea Airport to Abergavenny, where The Beatles were scheduled to perform at the Abergavenny Town Hall Ballroom in Wales.

Unfortunately, the video recording of Lennon's appearance on "Juke Box Jury" no longer exists. However, most of the audio from the show has survived, providing insight into Lennon's candid and sometimes humorous critiques of the featured songs.

This appearance marked a notable moment in Lennon's outspokenness and honesty, further solidifying his reputation as a provocative figure in the music industry.

 

The Beatles - The Decca Audition (2024 Stereo Remix)

The Beatles' pivotal audition for Decca Records on January 1, 1962, marked a significant moment in music history, despite the outcome initially being a rejection. A&R representative Mike Smith, inspired by their performance at the Cavern, arranged the audition. The group, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best, traveled from Liverpool to London for the session.

The audition, scheduled for 11 am, faced delays as Smith arrived late and insisted on using Decca's amplifiers rather than The Beatles' own equipment. The group recorded 15 songs in roughly an hour, including three Lennon-McCartney originals. Although nerves affected their performance, they were confident it would lead to a contract.

However, Decca opted for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead, citing guitar groups as passé. This decision, attributed to Dick Rowe, later known as "the man who turned down The Beatles," became infamous. Epstein's persistence led to further negotiations with Decca, including a promise to buy 3,000 copies of any Beatles single released, but to no avail.

Despite the rejection, the audition tapes proved fortuitous. They provided Epstein with high-quality recordings to shop around other labels, eventually leading to an audition at Abbey Road with George Martin at Parlophone. This pivotal encounter ultimately propelled The Beatles to global stardom.

 

Listen To This Album: John Lennon - Menlove Ave.

Menlove Ave. is a posthumous album by John Lennon, released in 1986. It is a compilation of unreleased tracks and alternate versions of songs recorded during Lennon's solo career, spanning from 1973 to 1974. It is the second posthumous release of Lennon's music (after Milk and Honey), having been recorded during the sessions for his albums Walls and Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll. Menlove Ave. was released under the supervision of Yoko Ono.

The first side of the LP comprises session outtakes from the Rock 'n' Roll sessions with Phil Spector in late 1973, apart from "Rock and Roll People", which is from the Mind Games sessions. The remainder features rehearsal recordings in mid-1974 for Walls and Bridges.

The song "Rock and Roll People" was originally recorded and released on Johnny Winter's seventh studio album John Dawson Winter III.

The title refers to Lennon's childhood home, 251 Menlove Avenue, in Liverpool. Menlove Avenue is a long road in South Liverpool, part of the Liverpool ring road. While it is mainly residential, it is also a primary route: the A562. It also passes Woolton Village where Lennon and Paul McCartney first met.

Yoko Ono's liner notes mention that "John's American rock roots – Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and Phil Spector – are evident in these tracks. But what I hear in John's voice are the other roots of the boy who grew up in Liverpool, listening to 'Greensleeves,' BBC Radio and Tessie O'Shea."

The artwork for the release was effected by artist Andy Warhol, just months before Lennon's death in 1980. It was later used as the cover for the 2005 compilation album Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.

Though Menlove Ave. included previously unreleased material of John Lennon, it failed to chart in the United Kingdom. It did manage to reach number 127 in the United States, making it Lennon's least-successful album. Menlove Ave. was issued on CD in 1987, and remains available from Capitol Records in that format.

Side 1, tracks 3–5 appeared as bonus tracks on the 2004 remastered version of Rock 'n' Roll. The song "Here We Go Again" was included on the 2006 soundtrack album The U.S. vs. John Lennon and 2010 box set Gimme Some Truth.

The album is the only one of Lennon's not available on music streaming platforms.

00:09 Here We Go Again  

05:01 Rock and Roll People 

09:26 Angel Baby  

13:11 Since My Baby Left Me  

17:01 To Know Her Is to Love Her  

21:49 Steel and Glass  

26:02 Scared  

30:25 Old Dirt Road  

34:22 Nobody Loves You When You’re Down and Out  

38:55 Bless You

The Beatles - She Said She Said - (Guitars Only)

The Beatles: Inside "Revolver" - Paperback Writer

The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Orchestra Session Excerpt for LOVE)

The Beatles - Lady Madonna (SI Onto Take 3)

Paul McCartney & Wings - Band On The Run ("Basic" Keyboards & Bass Mix)

The Beatles - Lovely Rita (basic track)

Paul McCartney/John Lennon Demos: "Abbey Road" Era (1969)

- ?? February 1969
- Goodbye [00:00]

 - 1 June 1969
- Give Peace A Chance (Demos + Basic Track) [04:54]

 - 24 July 1969
- Come and Get It (Demo) [02:24]

 - ?? September 1969
- Cold Turkey [09:40]
- Woman Is the Nigger Of the World [13:09]

Beatles Demos: "Yellow Submarine" Era (1968)

February 1968
- She Can Talk to Me [00:00]

March 1969
- I Want You (She's So Heavy) [02:15]

November 1968
- A Case Of the Blues [04:09]
- Don't Let Me Down [07:02]
- Everybody's Had A Hard Year [09:13]

Beatles Demos: "Magical Mystery Tour" & "White Album" Era (1967/1968)

- ?? March 1967
- You Know My Name (Look Up the Number) [00:00]

- 21 November 1967
- Step Inside Love [01:01]

- ?? February 1968
- Across The Universe [03:17]
- Cry Baby Cry (Piano Demo) [04:59]
- Cry Baby Cry (Electric Guitar Demo) [06:56]

 - 20 May 1968
- Honey Pie [07:49]
- Sour Milk Sea [09:51]

Beatles Demos: "Revolver" Era (1966)

- January/February 1966
- He Said, He Said [00:00]

- ?? March 1966
- She Said, She Said [01:52]

Beatles Demos: "A Hard Day's Night" & "Rubber Soul" Era (1964/1965)

- 13 January 1964
- If I Fell [00:00]


- 20 January 1964
- A World Without Love [04:01] - not the Beatles
- One and One Is Two [06:19]


- ?? September 1965
- We Can Work It Out [08:15]

Beatles Demos: "With the Beatles" Era (1963)

- ?? May 1963
- Bad To Me [00:00]


- July/August 1963
- Michelle [01:29]


- 19/24 August 1963
- Don't Bother Me & Guitar Exercises [02:35]


- ?? October 1963
- I'm in Love [08:10]

The Quarrymen Demos (1958/1960)

- Summer/Spring 1958 (as The Quarrymen)
- That'll Be The Day [00:00]
- In Spite Of All the Danger [02:07]


- ?? April 1960 (as The Beatals)
- Cayenne [04:52]


- ?? June 1960 (as The Beatals)
- One After 909 [07:10]

Deconstructing "Dear Prudence": Isolated Tracks

Deconstructing "Get Back": Isolated Tracks