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.

 

The Beatles Live at Stowe School, Buckingham & Outside BBC Paris Studio, London - Color Home Movie (April 4, 1963)

The Beatles recorded a session for the BBC radio show Side by Side at the BBC's Paris Studio in London. The recording took place between 11 am and 2 pm and featured performances of several songs, including "Too Much Monkey Business," "Love Me Do," "Boys," "I'll Be On My Way," and "From Me To You." The episode aired later that day at 5 pm on the BBC Light Programme. Although "I'll Be On My Way" wasn't initially released, it eventually appeared on the 1994 Live At The BBC collection.

During the recording session, Dezo Hoffmann and his assistant David Magnus captured some photos outside the studio. Some of these photos were later used on Apple's Live At The BBC album cover, albeit with significant alterations. Additionally, an 8mm color film was shot during the photo session outside the studio, which was later featured in the 1994 Baby It's You promo video.

The Beatles also performed at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, an event organized by a pupil who contacted their manager, Brian Epstein. The concert took place in the school's Roxburgh Hall, where the audience, consisting of boys from the school, notably remained composed without the typical hysteria associated with Beatles performances.

A recording of the event surfaced in 2023, thanks to John Bloomfield, then a 15-year-old schoolboy who served as the show's stage manager. The recording, almost complete, was made by Bloomfield using his own equipment, capturing 22 tracks of the performance before running out during a reprise of "I Saw Her Standing There." The setlist includes well-known Beatles songs such as "Love Me Do," "Twist And Shout," and "Please Please Me."

BBC Radio 4's Front Row covered the discovery of this recording, with journalist Samira Ahmed leading the investigation. Ahmed's report, aired in April 2023, shed light on the significance of the recording and efforts to preserve it in a national cultural institution, rather than allowing it to remain in private hands. Discussions were underway to clean up the recording, buoyed by the success of Peter Jackson's audio restoration work on The Beatles' "Get Back" series.

The story offers a glimpse into a lesser-known Beatles performance and underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate their musical legacy.

 

 

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.