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The Beatles special report
1962
January 1, 1962The Beatles audition for Decca Records but are turned down, as "guitar bands are on the way out". They sign for Parlophone later that year.
August 16, 1962
Manager Brian Epstein fires drummer Pete Best and hires Ringo Starr.
October 5, 1962
The group release their first single, Love Me Do. Epstein reportedly buys 10,000 copies to ensure it a place in the top 20.
1963
February 11, 1963Please Please Me, their first album, is recorded in a 10-hour session, and released on March 22.
February 16, 1963
Please Please Me becomes the Beatles' first number one single in England
October 13, 1963
The band appears on the TV show Sunday Night at the London Paladium. Several weeks later they perform at the Royal Variety Show (the occasion of Lennon's famous 'those in the cheap seats clap your hands, the others rattle your jewellery' remark).
November 22, 1963
The release of their second album, With the Beatles.
1964
Febuary 9, 1964Their performance on America's Ed Sullilvan show is seen by an estimated 73m people.
April 4, 1964
Beatles records occupy the first five spots on the American singles chart. 1 to 5 are Can't Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Please, Please Me.
July 6, 1964
A Hard Day's Night, directed by Richard Lester, premieres in London. The film is a fictional day in the life of the fab four, and garners rave reviews.
July 10, 1964
Album number three, A Hard Day's Night, a soundtrack to the film.
August 18, 1964
The band begin their second tour of America. Mass Beatlemania ensues.
December 4, 1964
Beatles for Sale released. The album features six covers, including a Buddy Holly song.
1965
October 16, 1965The Beatles receive the MBE (Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) awards from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Several previous recipients of the award feel the award is demeaned, and return theirs.
July 29, 1965
Help!, the group's second movie, a James Bond spoof, premieres in London.
August 6, 1965
Help!, the soundtrack to the Beatles second feature film.
August 27, 1965
The Beatles meet Elvis Presley in Beverly Hills.
December 3, 1965
Rubber Soul issued.
1966
March 4, 1966The London Evening Standard publishes an interview with John Lennon in which he claims that the Beatles are "bigger than Jesus".
July 31, 1966
The interview is published in America. People begin to burn Beatles albums and boycott Beatle merchandise. John apologised for his remarks in a press conference on August 12.
August 5, 1966
Revolver released. The band subsequently admitted to being "under the influence" while many of the songs were recorded.
August 26 1966
The Beatles play their last concert at Candlestick park in San Francisco. Their decision to stop touring allows them to spend more time in the studio.
1967
June 1, 1967After more than 700 hours in the studio recording it, the group release Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
June 25, 1967
The band performs All You Need Is Love on the live television show Our World. It is the first time a program has ever been broadcast live around the world; about 400m people watch the show.
August 27, 1967
Brian Epstein is found dead in his home following an accidental sleeping pill overdose. The Beatles return to London for the funeral. John Lennon later claims this signalled the beginning of the end for the Beatles.
1968
November 22, 1968The Beatles (White Album) - the band's only double album.
1969
January 17, 1969The soundtrack to the film Yellow Submarine.
March 20, 1969
John marries Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. They then head for Amsterdam where they hold a "bed in" for peace.
September 26, 1969
Abbey Road.
November 26, 1969
John Lennon returns his MBE to the Queen in protest at British involvement in Biafra, and American involvement in Vietnam.
1970 and beyond
April 15, 1970Paul McCartney releases his solo LP McCartney along with an interview saying he is quitting the Beatles.
November 15, 1970
Paul files a lawsuit to officially break up the Beatles.
December 8, 1980
John Lennon is murdered in New York.
November 30, 2001
George Harrison dies of cancer.
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