The Beatles: Timeline 1969

May 04
Sunday Ringo, John and Paul, with Maureen, Yoko and Linda, attend an end-of-filming party for `The Magic Christian' at Les Ambassadeurs Club, London.

May 04
Sunday Maclen, on behalf of John, buys `Tittenhurst', at Sunningdale, Ascot, Berkshire, for 145,000 pounds.

May 05
Monday US single release: `Get Back'/`Don't Let Me Down'.
May 05
Monday Olympic Sound Studios. Start of recordings of the 1st LP of Billy Preston.
May 05
Monday Studio 1, Olympic Sound Studios. 7.30pm-4.00am. Recording: `Something' (overdub onto take 36). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Steve Vaughan.
May 06
Tuesday Studio 1, Olympic Sound Studios. 3.00pm-4.00am. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (takes 1-36). Stereo mixing: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (remix 1, from take 30). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Steve Vaughan. 1st explicit recording for the `Abbey Road' medley.
May 06
Tuesday It is announced that John and Yoko are recording a record about their lives and Yoko's miscarriage, up until their honeymoon in Amsterdam.
May 07
Wednesday Studio 1, Olympic Sounds Studios. 8.00pm-7.30am. Stereo mixing: Inserts for the `Get Back' LP. Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Steve Vaughan.
May 07
Wednesday The Beatles and Allen Klein negotiate with Joseph Lockwood an increase of the group royalties. EMI decides to balt negotiations until seeing what happens with the group businesses and NEMS's purchase by Triumph Investment.
May 08
Thursday Klein flies to New York for a meeting with the board of directors of ABKCO. John, George and Ringo order Peter Brown and Neil to sign Klein's contracts. The contracts are signed, with the sole exception of Paul's. Alistair Taylor is fired as Apple's director.
May 09
Friday UK LP release: `Unfinished Music Number 2-Life With The Lions'. UK LP release: `Electronic Sounds'.
May 09
Friday Studio 1, Olympic Sound Studios. 3.00-11.00pm. Stereo mixing: Inserts for the `Get Back' LP. Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Steve Vaughan. Besides, playback of complete and mixed titles.
May 10
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 17th week in the Top 100 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 10, entering the ranking; 1st week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
May 11
Sunday Recording of `Never Tell Your Mother She's Out Of Tune', of Jack Bruce. George on guitar.
May 13
Tuesday On a front-page article of the `Financial Times', ATV announces it lacks less than 150 000 shares to have the 47 % of Northern Songs.
May 13
Tuesday EMI House. 6pm. Photographic session with Angus McBean for the `Get Back' LP cover.
May 15
Thursday Failure of a possible meeting of the Beatles and minor Northern Songs Ltd. share owners, to avoid ATV's control over the company.
May 15
Thursday John goes to the US Embassy in London, to try an American visa.
May 16
Friday Ringo boards the `Queen Elizabeth II' to sail to the USA for the filming of `The Magic Christian'. He travels with Maureen, their two children, Peter Sellers, George and Pattie. John and Yoko decide to live permanently in the USA. John and Yoko are scheduled to join Ringo and the others on the trip, but had to cancel at the last moment since John does not get his visa.
May 17
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 18th week in the Top 100 (Billboard). `Get Back', 2nd week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
May 19
Monday The 3 main Northern Songs share owners and ATV sign an agreement. John and Paul lose control over the company.
May 19
Monday US gold certification: `Get Back'/`Don't Let Me Down'.
May 20
Tuesday John and George visit Bruce Ormrod at offices of Henry Ansbacher & Co., to discuss ATV's bid with the syndicates.
May 24
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 19th week in the Top 100 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 1, 1st week; 3rd week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
May 24
Saturday John, Yoko and Kyoko fly from London to Bahamas. John, Yoko and Kyoko in Bahamas, for a campaign for peace: `Lie-in'.
May 24
Saturday John and Yoko create Bag Productions.
May 25
Sunday John, Yoko and Kyoko go to Canada during their campaign for peace.
May 26
Monday US LP release: `Unfinished Music Number 2-Life With The Lions'. US LP release: `Electronic Sounds'.
May 26
Monday John, Yoko and Kyoko arrive in Toronto. They spend two hours and a half in customs. Start of 2nd John and Yoko's bed-in in Montreal, Room 1742, Queen Elizabeth Hotel.
May 28
Wednesday Studio 1, Olympic Sound Studios. Time unknown. Stereo mixing: `Let It Be' (of take 27). Master tape banding and compilation: `Get Back' LP. Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Glyn Johns; 2nd Engineer: Steve Vaughan.
May 30
Friday UK single release: `The Ballad of John and Yoko'/`Old Brown Shoe', 1st single in Britain and 1st Beatles release not mixed for mono.
May 31
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 20th week in the Top 100 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 1, 2nd week; 4th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jun 01
Sunday Recording of `Give Peace A Chance'. End of bed-in in Montreal.
Jun 03
Tuesday John, Yoko and Kyoko leave Canada.
Jun 04
Wednesday Single release: `Give Peace A Chance'. [?]
Jun 04
Wednesday US single release: `The Ballad Of John And Yoko'/`Old Brown Shoe'.
Jun 07
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 21st and last week in the Top 100 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 1, 3rd week; 5th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jun 07
Saturday John and Yoko appear on the `David Frost Show'.
Jun 11
Wednesday `The Ballad Of John And Yoko' number 1 (UK Record Retailer chart).
Jun 14
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 22nd week in the Top 200 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 1, 4th week; 6th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jun 14
Saturday John and Yoko appear on the `David Frost Show'.
Jun 15
Sunday `The Ballad Of John And Yoko' number 1.
Jun 21
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 23rd week in the Top 200 (Billboard). `Get Back' number 1, 5th and last week; 7th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jun 27
Friday Ringo and Maureen go on holiday to the south of France. Mary Hopkin arrives in Chile.
Jun 28
Saturday `Yellow Submarine' LP, 24th and last week in the Top 200 (Billboard). `Get Back', 8th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jun 29
Sunday John, Yoko, Kyoko and Julian go to Scotland on holiday.
Jul 01
Tuesday Studio 2. 3.00-7.30pm. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (overdub onto take 30). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Chris Blair. Start of a new era of recordings.
Jul 01
Tuesday John, Yoko, Julian and Kyoko are involved in a car accident in Golspie, Scotland. They are hospitalised.
Jul 02
Wednesday Studio 2. 3.00-9.30pm. Recording: `Her Majesty' (takes 1-3); `Golden Slumbers' (working title of `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight') (takes 1-15). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Chris Blair.
Jul 02
Wednesday The Official Beatles Fan Club runs several clubs derived from the main one.
Jul 02
Wednesday Cynthia takes Julian from the hospital and takes him to Greece.
Jul 03
Thursday Studio 2. 3.00-8.30pm. Editing: `Golden Slumbers'(working title of `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight') (of takes 13, 15, called take 13). Recording: `Golden Slumbers'(working title of `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight') (overdub onto take 13, tape reduction take 13 into takes 16, 17). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Chris Blair.
Jul 03
Thursday Media launch of the Plastic Ono Band. Press reception for the release of `Give Peace A Chance', at the Chelsea Town Hall. John and Yoko do not attend, due to their being hospitalised in Scotland; Ringo and Maureen substitute them.
Jul 04
Friday Studio 2. 2.45-5.30pm. Recording: `Golden Slumbers' (working title of `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight') (overdub onto take 17). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Chris Blair. Listening, through the mixing console and the studio speakers, of the Wimbledon ladies tennis final, live on BBC Radio 2. Anne Jones (UK) beating Billy-Jean King in 3 sets (71 minutes).
Jul 04
Friday UK single release: `Give Peace A Chance'/`Remember Love'. 1st commercial Beatle solo single.
Jul 05
Saturday `Get Back', 9th week in the Top 30 (Billboard).
Jul 06
Sunday John and Yoko leave the hospital, after their car crash in Scotland. They return to England.
Jul 06
Sunday Brian Jones dies.
Jul 07
Monday Studio 2. 2.30-11.45pm. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun' (takes 1-13). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. 10.45-11.45pm. Re-recording and perfecting of acoustic guitar. Recording of rythm track for `Here Comes The Sun'.
Jul 07
Monday US single release: `Give Peace A Chance'/`Remember Love'.
Jul 07
Monday The Plastic Ono Band plays at the Chelsea Town Hall to promote the single `Give Peace A Chance'/`Remember Love'.
Jul 08
Tuesday Studio 2. 2.30-10.45pm. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 13, tape reduction take 13 into takes 14, 15). Studio 2 (control room only). 10.45-11.45pm. Mono mixing: `Here Comes The Sun' (unnumbered rough remix, from take 15). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Mix for George.
Jul 09
Wednesday Studio 2. 2.30-10.15pm. Recording: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (takes 1-21). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; Engineer: John Kurlander. 1st John's session after his accident. A bed is brought into the studio so that Yoko could stay by John's side.
Jul 10
Thursday Studio 2. 2.30-11.30pm. Recording: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (overdub onto take 21). Stereo mixing: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (remixes 1-13, from take 21). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Jul 11
Friday Studio 2. 2.30-12.00pm. Recording: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (overdub onto take 21); `Something' (overdub onto take 36). Stereo mixing: `Something' (remixes 1-4, from take 36). Recording: `Something' (tape reduction take 36 into take 37); `You Never Give Me Your Money' (overdub onto take 30). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Jul 12
Saturday Ringo expresses his opinion about the banning of `The Ballad Of John And Yoko' decided by some US radios.
Jul 12
Saturday `Get Back', 10th week in the Top 30 (Billboard). `Give Peace A Chance', 1st week in the Top 28; 1st week in the ranking (Billboard).
Jul 15
Tuesday Studio 3. 2.30-6.00pm. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (overdub onto take 30). Studio 2 (control room only). 6.00-11.00pm. Stereo mixing: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (remixes 1-6, from take 30). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of bell sounds for `You Never Give Me Your Money'.
Jul 16
Wednesday Studio 3. 2.30-7.00pm. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 15). Studio 2. 7.00pm-12.30am. Recording: `Something' (overdub onto take 36, tape reduction into takes 38, 39). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
Jul 16
Wednesday US gold certification for `The Ballad Of John And Yoko'.
Jul 17
Thursday Studio 3. 2.30-6.30pm. Recording: `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 16). Studio 2. 6.30-11.15pm. Recording: `Octopus's Garden' (overdub onto take 32). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of Paul's lead vocal trial for `Oh! Darling' and vocals and sound effects for `Octopus's Garden'.
Jul 18
Friday Studio 3. 2.30-8.30pm. Recording: `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 26); `Octopus's Garden' (overdub onto take 32). Studio 2 (control room only). 8.00-10.30pm. Mono mixing: `Octopus's Garden' (remixes 1-7, from take 32). Stereo mixing: `Octopus's Garden' (remixes 10-14, from take 32). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of Paul's vocal trial for `Oh! Darling'.
Jul 19
Saturday `Get Back', 11th week in the Top 30 (Billboard). `Unfinished Music No. 2-Life With The Lions' number 179 (Billboard). `Give Peace A Chance', 2nd week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Jul 21
Monday Studio 3. 2.30-9.30pm. Recording: `Come Together' (takes 1-8). Studio 2 (control room only). 9.30-10.00pm. Tape copying: `Come Together' (of take 6, called take 9). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Copy of `Come Together' from 4-track to 8-track tape. First full day of Geoff Emerick back as Beatles' balance engineer.
Jul 22
Tuesday Studio 3. 2.30-9.30pm. Recording: `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 26); `Come Together' (overdub onto take 9). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Recording of lead vocal trial for `Oh! Darling'.
Jul 23
Wednesday Studio 3. 2.30-11.30pm. Recording: `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 26); `Come Together' (overdub onto take 9); `Ending' (working title for `The End') (takes 1-7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Recording of lead vocal (released version) for `Oh! Darling'. 11.30pm-12.30am. Playback of finished titles for `Abbey Road' LP.
Jul 24
Thursday Studio 2. 2.30-3.30pm. Recording: `Come And Get It' (take 1). Stereo mixing: `Come And Get It' (remix 1, from take 1). Tape copying: `Come And Get It' (of remix stereo 1). Producer: not assigned; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Studio 2. 3.30-10.30pm. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun-King' (working title of `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard') (takes 1-35). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Paul's solo session, recording a demo of `Come And Get It' for Badfinger. During recording of `Sun King', jam of `Be-Bop-A-Lula', `Who Slapped John?' and `Ain't She Sweet'.
Jul 25
Friday Studio 2. 2.30pm-2.30am. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun-King' (working title of `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard') (overdub onto take 35); `Come Together' (overdub onto take 9); `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (takes 1-39). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. 10.30pm-2.30am. Re-recording of bass and drums, and recording of lead vocal for `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window'.
Jul 26
Saturday `Get Back', 12th and last week in the Top 30 (Billboard). `Give Peace A Chance', 3rd week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Jul 28
Monday Studio 3. 2.30-8.00pm. Recording: `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (overdub onto take 39). Studio 2 (control room only). 8.00-8.30pm. Recording: `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (tape reduction take 39 into take 40). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Jul 29
Tuesday Studio 3. 2.30-10.45pm. Recording: `Come Together' (overdub onto take 9); `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (overdub onto take 35). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Recording of guitar solo for `Come Together'.
Jul 30
Wednesday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.00-3.30pm. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (tape reduction take 30 into takes 37-42). Studio 3. 3.30-10.30pm. Recording: `Come Together' (overdub onto take 9); `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (overdub onto take 40); `You Never Give Me Your Money' (overdub onto take 40) ; `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' (overdub onto take 17). Studio 2 (control room only). 10.30pm-2.30am. Stereo mixing: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (remix 1, from take 40); `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (remix 1, from take 35); `Her Majesty' (remix 1, from take 3); `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (remix 1, from take 40); `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' (remix 1, from take 17); `Ending' (working title of `The End') (remix 1, from take 7). Editing, crossfading and tape compilation: `You Never Give Me Your Money'; `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard'; `Her Majesty'; `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window'; `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight'; `Ending' (working title of `The End'). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Rough compilation to judge the progress of the medley. Paul decides to eliminate `Her Majesty'. The piece of tape is cut carelessly, leaving on it the end of `Mean Mr Mustard' and missing the last chord of `Her Majesty', but since this was just a rough mix, things went on. John Kurlander, second engineer for this session, disobeying Paul, conserved the tape, appending it to the end of the complete tape, but clearly apart from the rest, 15 seconds after `The End'.
Jul 31
Thursday Mal Evans takes the tape containing the `Abbey Road' medley compiled on 30 July to Apple for acetate cutting purposes. He returns the tape this same day to EMI. Malcom Davies, at Apple, cuts a lacquer of the complete medley sequence. On his own he decides to include the `Her Majesty' piece, although it had been placed detached from the main sequence to make it clear it was not intended to be part of the medley.
Jul 31
Thursday Studio 2. 2.30pm-1.15am. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (overdub onto take 30); `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' (overdub onto take 17). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Aug 01
Friday Studio 2. 2.30-10.30pm. Recording: `Because' (takes 1-23, overdub onto take 16). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. First of three 3-part vocal recordings.
Aug 02
Saturday Badfinger records in one day `Come And Get It', at Abbey Road Studios. Paul produces the session.
Aug 02
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance' number 2, 4th week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Aug 04
Monday Studio 2. 2.30-9.00pm. Recording: `Because' (overdub onto take 16). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Studio 3. 7.15-8.45pm. Stereo mixing: `Something' (unnumbered rough remix, from take 39); `Here Comes The Sun' (unnumbered rough remix, from take 15). Producer: George Harrison; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. 2nd and 3rd set of 3-part vocal recordings for `Because'. Remix of `Something' for Martin, for scoring purposes.
Aug 05
Tuesday Studio 3 (control room only) . 2.30-6.30pm. Recording: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (sound effects takes 1-5). Abbey Road, Room 43 and Studio 2. 6.30-10.45pm. Recording: `Because' (overdub onto take 16) ; `Ending' (working title of `The End') (overdub onto take 7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Paul brings home-made tape loops, to use in the crossfade at the end of `You Never Give Me Your Money'. First Beatle use of a synthesizer (`Because'). Studio 3 (control room). 8.00-9.30pm. Tony Clark, balance engineer, and Alan Parsons, 2nd engineer, make a copy from an ordinary cassette of some recent private recordings of John and Yoko. It's taken away by Anthony Fawcett, assistent of the Lennons.
Aug 06
Wednesday Studio 3. 2.30-11.00pm. Recording: `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 15). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Abbey Road, Room 43 and Studio 2 (control room). 2.30-11.00pm. Recording: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (tape reduction take 21 into takes 22-27, with simultaneous overdub). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Tony Clark; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Studio 2 (control room only). 11.00pm-1.00am. Stereo mixing: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (remixes 14-26, from take 27). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Tony Clark/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Recording of synthesizer for `Maxwell's Silver Hammer'.
Aug 07
Thursday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30-6.00pm. Stereo mixing: `Come Together' (remixes 1-10, from take 9). Studio 3. 6.00-12.00pm. Recording: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (overdub onto take 7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Aug 08
Friday 11.35am. Appointment with photographer Iain MacMillan at EMI Studios, for the photographic session for the `Abbey Road' cover. After this, Paul chooses out of the 6 pictures taken the best one for the LP. Before the recording session, Paul takes John home, at Cavendish Avenue, George and Mal go to the London Zoo at Regent's Park, and Ringo goes shopping.
Aug 08
Friday Studio 2. 2.30-9.00pm. Recording: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (overdub onto take 7); `I Want You' (later known as `I Want You (She's So Heavy)') (overdub onto unnumbered Trident master). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Studio 3. 5.30-9.45pm. Recording: `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 26). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Tony Clark; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording synthesizer for `I Want You (She's So Heavy)'.
Aug 09
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance', 5th week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Aug 11
Monday Studio 3 (control room only). 1.00-2.00pm. Mono tape copying: `Dig It' (of 13 March stereo mix); `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (of remix stereo 18). Producer: not assigned; Engineer and 2nd Engineer: Phil McDonald. Studio 2. 2.30-11.30pm. Recording: `I Want You (She's So Heavy)' (overdub onto take 1); `Oh! Darling' (overdub onto take 26); `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 15). Tape copying: `I Want You (She's So Heavy)' (of take 1). Editing: `I Want You (She's So Heavy)' (from take 1 into unnumbered Trident master). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander. Mal Evans takes the copies of `Dig It' and `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' to Malcolm Davies, at Apple, for acetate cutting purposes. Re-recording of `She's So Heavy' vocal harmonies. The song gets its complete title.
Aug 11
Monday John and Yoko move to `Tittenhurst'.
Aug 12
Tuesday Studio 2 (control room only). 7.00pm-2.00am. Stereo mixing: `Oh! Darling' (remixes 5-9, from take 26); `Because' (remixes 1, 2, from take 16); `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (remixes 27-36, from take 27). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: John Kurlander.
Aug 13
Wednesday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30-9.15pm. Stereo mixing: `You Never Give Me Your Money' (remixes 20-27, from take 30). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
Aug 14
Thursday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30pm-2.30am. Stereo mixing: `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (remixes 20-24, from take 35); `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (edit piece remix 37, from take 27); `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (remixes 20-32, from take 40); `You Never Give Me Your Money' into `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (stereo crossfade remixes 1-11, from sound effects take 5 of `You Never Give Me Your Money'). Mono recording: John Lennon interviewed by Kenny Everett. (The only interview documented on a recording sheet, because studio equipment and tape was used. Everett took away the only copy.) Editing: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (of stereo remixes 34, 37); `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (of remix stereo 22) joined to `Polythene Pam'/`She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' (of remix stereo 32). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
Aug 15
Friday Studio 1 into Studio 2 (control room). 2.30-5.30pm. Recording: `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' (overdub onto take 17); `Ending' (working title of `The End') (overdub onto take 7). Studio 1 into Studio 2. 7.00pm-1.15am. Recording: `Something' (overdub onto take 39); `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 15). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of all orchestral overdubs for `Abbey Road'. For the first time in a Beatles session a closed circuit of television is used to communicate two studios. George re-records, on the floor of Studio 2, his guitar solo for `Something'.
Aug 16
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance', 6th week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Aug 18
Monday Studio 2. 2.30-10.30pm. Stereo mixing: `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' (remixes 1, 2, from take 17). Recording: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (overdub onto take 7). Stereo mixing: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (remixes 1-6, from take 7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of 4 seconds of piano for `The End'.
Aug 19
Tuesday Studio 2. 2.00pm-4.00am. Stereo mixing: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (remixes 1-3, from take 7); `Golden Slumbers'/`Carry That Weight' and `Ending' (working title of `The End') (crossfade/edit for master); `Something' (remixes 1-10, from take 39). Recording: `Here Comes The Sun' (overdub onto take 15). Stereo mixing: `Here Comes The Sun' (remix 1, from take 15). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. The instrumental jam in the coda of `Something' disappears at last in today's remixes. Recording of synthesizer for `Here Comes The Sun'.
Aug 20
Wednesday Studio 3 (control room only). 2.30-6.00pm. Stereo mixing: `I Want You (She's So Heavy)' (remixes 1-8, from take 1, remixes 9, 10, from unnumbered Trident master). Editing: `I Want You (She's So Heavy)' (of stereo remixes 8, 10). Studio 2 (control room only). 6.00pm-1.15am. Master tape banding and tape copying: `Abbey Road' LP. Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Last reunion of all 4 Beatles in the studio.
Aug 21
Thursday Abbey Road, Room 4. 1.00-2.00pm. Tape copying/Editing/reinserting: `Ending' (working title of `The End') (take 7). Producer: not assigned; Engineer: Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: not assigned. Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30-12.00pm. Stereo mixing: `You Never Give Me Your Money' into `Sun King'/`Mean Mr Mustard' (stereo crossfade remix 12, from sound effects take 5 of `You Never Give Me Your Money'); `Ending' (working title of `The End') (remix 4, from take 7). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/ Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons.
Aug 22
Friday `Tittenhurst', Suningdale, Ascot, Berkshire. Last photographic session. Photographers: Ethan Russell, Monty Fresco and Mal Evans. Partially shot. Locations: 1) Pillars in front of the main house; 2) Main garden path; 3) Paddock of high grass; 4) John and Yoko posing with donkeys; 5) Cypress tree by the Diana statue; 6) Weeping blue Atlas cedar trees; 7) Atlas trees; 8) Lawn near main house; 9) Balcony; 10) Side doorway in the assembly hall; 11) Arched porches; 12) Walled path between cottages and main house; 13) Indoors; 14) Southern balcony of main house.
Aug 23
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance', 7th week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Aug 24
Sunday Morning: John writes `Cold Turkey'. Afternoon: John rehearses `Cold Turkey'. Evening: John records `Cold Turkey'.
Aug 25
Monday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30-8.00pm. Editing: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (of master); `Ending' (working title of `The End') (of master). Recording: `Maxwell's Silver Hammer' (unnumbered sound effects takes). Tape copying: `Abbey Road' LP masters. Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Recording of sound effects for `Maxwell's Silver Hammer', not used. Copy of `Abbey Road' LP masters for Geoff Emerick, who will take them to Malcolm Davies, at Apple, to cut the disc. End of sessions for `Abbey Road'.
Aug 28
Thursday George presents a new record by the members of the Radha Krishna Temple.
Aug 28
Thursday Avenue Clinic, London. Mary McCartney is born to Paul and Linda. Paul attends the birth.
Aug 30
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance', 8th week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Aug 31
Sunday George, Ringo, John, Pattie, Maureen and Yoko attend the Festival of the Isle of Wight, to see the Dylan show.
Sep 05
Friday End of negotiations of Allen Klein and EMI Records. Allen Klein successfully re-negotiates contracts with EMI for Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The band would now earn 58 cents per album up until 1972 and then it would jump to 72 cents after that. Part of the new EMI contractual agreement required the Beatles to release at least two albums per year until 1976. Prior to this re-negotiated agreement, the Beatles 1966 contract with EMI had them earning 39 cents per album and when the Beatles first signed up with EMI, they only made 6 cents per album.
Sep 06
Saturday `Give Peace A Chance', 9th and last week in the Top 28 (Billboard).
Sep 08
Monday Start of Ringo's stay for observation at the Middlesex Hospital, London.
Sep 10
Wednesday Two films produced by John and Yoko are exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London: `Rape' and `Self-Portrait'. During the evening (7.00pm-about 12.00pm), two people sit on stage shrouded in a white bag.
Sep 11
Thursday Studio 3 (control room only). 2.30-5.30pm. Stereo mixing: `What's The New Mary Jane' (remixes 1-3, from take 4). Tape copying: `What's The New Mary Jane' (of stereo remixes 1-3). Producer: Malcolm Davies; Engineer: Tony Clark; 2nd Engineer: Chris Blair. Copies of `What's The New Mary Jane' for John, to refresh his memory, in order to release it as a POB single.
Sep 11
Thursday End of Ringo's stay for observation at the Middlesex Hospital, London.
Sep 12
Friday John accepts to participate in the Toronto Peace Festival.
Sep 13
Saturday Trip of the Plastic Ono Band to Toronto. Rock and Roll Festival at the Varsity Stadium, Toronto. Filmed. John and Yoko perform live with Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman, and Alan White. Together, at this performance, the band records an Apple album later released as "The Plastic Ono Band - Live Peace in Toronto 1969" .
Sep 19
Friday ATV obtains the 50 % of the shares of Northern Songs Ltd.
Sep 20
Saturday John Lennon announces to the others that he is leaving the band. Lennon's announcement never made it to the press because of their newly negotiated royalty contract they signed with EMI.
Sep 22
Monday Broadcast of WBCN `Get Back' reference acetate.
Sep 22
Monday A tape of the Beatles playing `The Ballad Of John And Yoko' is shown on the programme `Music Scene'. [25 September?]
Sep 25
Thursday ATV obtains the 54% of the shares of Northern Songs Ltd, becoming its main shareholder.
Sep 25
Thursday EMI. John records `Cold Turkey'. Remix of tapes of POB Toronto performance. First Beatle returning to Abbey Road.
Sep 25
Thursday A tape of the Beatles playing `The Ballad Of John And Yoko' is shown on the programme `Music Scene'. [22 September?]
Sep 25
Thursday Press reception for the release of a White Trash cover of `Golden Slumbers'. John and Yoko appear. London Pavilion. Premiere of John Schlesinger's `Midnight Cowboy'. Paul and Linda attend.
Sep 26
Friday UK LP release: `Abbey Road'.
Sep 30
Tuesday Recording of `Cold Turkey'.
Oct 01
Wednesday US LP release: `Abbey Road'.
Oct 02
Thursday Abbey Road, Room 4. 9.00-11.00am. Stereo mixing: `Across The Universe' (remixes 1, 2, from take 8). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Jeff Jarratt; 2nd Engineer: Alan Parsons. Remix of `Across The Universe' for `No One's Gonna Change Our World'. Addition of sound effects, and speeding up of the tape.
Oct 02
Thursday John, in an interview, says that Apple is like a big black hole that takes all his benefits as an author and singer.
Oct 03
Friday Abbey Road. Compilation and banding by George Martin of `No One's Gonna Change Our World'.
Oct 03
Friday Lansdowne Recording Studios, London. John, Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band record `Don't Worry Kyoko'.
Oct 04
Saturday `Abbey Road' number 1 (UK Record Retailer chart).
Oct 06
Monday US single release: `Something'/`Come Together'.
Oct 09
Thursday Yoko is taken to the King's College Hospital, London. She suffers a miscarriage.
Oct 12
Sunday Russ Gibbs, of the WKNR-FM, affirms he has received an anonymous phone call saying that Paul has died.
Oct 12
Sunday Yoko miscarries. End of Yoko's stay at the King's College Hospital, London.
Oct 13
Monday The press reports that Yoko has had a miscarriage.
Oct 13
Monday Savoy Theatre, London. London debut concert of Mary Hopkin. Paul, Linda, Ringo and Maureen attend.
Oct 15
Wednesday Ringo and Maureen travel to Los Angeles.
Oct 16
Thursday The Beatles are ready to sell their Northern Songs Ltd. shares.
Oct 17
Friday Hot Chocolate releases a cover of `Give Peace A Chance' in the USA.
Oct 20
Monday US LP release: `The Wedding Album'. US single release: `Cold Turkey'/`Don't Worry Kyoko'.
Oct 20
Monday George and Pattie attend a Ravi Shankar concert in London.
Oct 22
Wednesday Paul goes to Scotland, on vacations.
Oct 24
Friday UK single release: `Cold Turkey'/`Don't Worry Kyoko' UK LP release: `Space', with the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Oct 27
Monday US gold certification for `Abbey Road'. US gold certification for `Something'/`Come Together'.
Oct 27
Monday Abbey Road. Ringo begins, with George Martin, the recording of `Sentimental Journey' LP. 1st Beatle formally recording a solo LP.
Oct 29
Wednesday The `Rat Magazine' publishes the `Paul is dead' theory.
Oct 30
Thursday It is announced the release of a record by the Plastic Ono Band called `Gossip'.
Oct 31
Friday UK single release: `Something'/`Come Together'. 1st release in the UK of a single from an already released LP.
Nov 01
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 1st week in the Top 28, 1st week in the ranking (Billboard). [?]
Nov 06
Thursday `Rape
Nov 06
Thursday art II', John and Yoko's film, is showed at the Mannheim Film Festival, Germany.
Nov 07
Friday UK LP release: `The Wedding Album'.
Nov 07
Friday `Life' magazine with Paul McCartney on the cover photograph and Paul's interview inside issued.
Read the interview on this day
Nov 08
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 2nd week in the Top 28 (Billboard). [?]
Nov 09
Sunday Press reports begin to appear about John and Yoko's film `Apotehosis'.
Nov 10
Monday UK LP release: `Space', with the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Nov 13
Thursday John gives an island of his called Dorinch, by the Ireland coast, so that any hippy who wishes could live there.
Nov 15
Saturday The Beatles appear on the cover of `Rolling Stone' magazine. Last photographic session.
Nov 15
Saturday The magazine `Disc And Music Echo' publishes an interview to John.
Nov 15
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 3rd week in the Top 28 (Billboard). [?]
Nov 22
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 4th week in the Top 28 (Billboard). [?]
Nov 25
Tuesday John returns the MBE.
Nov 26
Wednesday Studio 2. 7.00pm-3.00am. Tape copying: `You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)' (of remix mono 3, called remix mono 4). Editing: `You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)' (of remix mono 4). Stereo mixing: `What's The New Mary Jane' (remix 4, from take 4). Stereo mixing with simultaneous overdub: `What's The New Mary Jane' (remix 5, from take 4). Editing: `What's The New Mary Jane' (of remix stereo 4, called remix stereo 6). Tape copying with simultaneous editing: `What's The New Mary Jane' (of stereo remix 5 into 6). Tape copying: `What's The New Mary Jane' (of stereo remixes 4, 5). Producer: Geoff Emerick/John Lennon; Engineer: Mike Sheady; 2nd Engineer: Nick Webb. For POB single, never released. The editing of `You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)' was released as the B side of `Let It Be'. John's last session.
Nov 28
Friday Ringo continues recordings of `Sentimental Journey' LP, in London.
Nov 29
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 5th week in the Top 28 (Billboard). [?]
Dec 01
Monday Royal Albert Hall, London. Concert of Delaney & Bonney & Friends, with guest Eric Clapton. George, Ringo, Pattie and Maureen attend.
Dec 01
Monday POB single `You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)'/`What's The New Mary Jane' is on hold.
Dec 02
Tuesday Studio 2 (control room only). 2.30-5.30pm. Stereo mixing: `Lady Madonna' (remix 1, from take 5); `Rain' (remix 1, from take 7); `Octopus's Garden' (remixes 1, 2, from take 32). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Richard Lush. Remixes of `Lady Madonna' and `Rain' for LP `Hey Jude'. Remix of `Octopus's Garden' without bass, piano, lead guitar, for use as playback on Ringo's appearance on Martin's show `With A Little Help From My Friends'.
Dec 02
Tuesday Delaney & Bonnie & Friends concert in Bristol. George joins them as guitarist, on tour. First tour of a Beatle since 1966.
Dec 02
Tuesday John Lennon was selected as one of only three people to be featured and interviewed as `Man of the Decade'. The interview was filmed by ATV on December 2nd as John and Yoko walked the grounds of their Tittenhurst estate in Ascot, Berkshire. The footage was broadcast in Britain on December 30th 1969.
Read the interview on this day
Dec 05
Friday Date announced for the POB single release `You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)'/`What's The New Mary Jane'.
Dec 05
Friday Abbey Road, Room 4. 2.30-5.15pm. Stereo mixing: `Hey Jude' (remixes 20, 21, from take 1); `Revolution' (remix 1, from take 16). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Geoff Emerick/Phil McDonald; 2nd Engineer: Neil Richmond. Remixes for LP `Hey Jude'. Last Emerick's session as Beatles' balance engineer.
Dec 05
Friday Ringo and family move from `Brookfields', Elstead, Surrey, to `Roundhill', London.
Dec 06
Saturday Ringo's appearance on the `David Frost Show'.
Dec 06
Saturday `Cold Turkey', 6th and last week in the Top 28 (Billboard). [?]
Dec 07
Sunday Studio E. BBC Lime Grove Studios. John and Yoko appear on BBC-TV's `The Question Why'. Broadcast live.
Dec 08
Monday Studio 2. 10.00am-12.15pm. Tape copying with simultaneous recording: `Octopus's Garden' (takes 1-10). Producer: George Martin; Engineer: Martin Benge; 2nd Engineer: Richard Lush. Re-recording of Ringo vocal for `Octopus's Garden', bass, lead guitar and piano with outside musicians, for his appearance on the show `With A Little Help From My Friends'.
Dec 10
Wednesday Ringo appears on the TV programme `Late Night Line up'.
Read the interview on this day
Dec 10
Wednesday John and Yoko announce a plan of producing a film called `A6' about a murder, revealing their intention to make public the case of James Hanratty.
Dec 10
Wednesday Delaney & Bonnie & Friends concert at the Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Dec 11
Thursday Odeon Theatre, Kensington, London. Royal charity world premiere of `The Magic Christian', with attendance of the royal family, Princess Margaret, John and Yoko, Ringo, Peter Sellers, George and Pattie. Before the screening, John and Yoko parade outside the cinema carrying placards declaring `Britain Murdered Hanratty'.
Dec 11
Thursday American promoter Mike Belkin offers $ 2 400 000 at least, for a Beatles 12-day US tour, plus 65 % of profits, up to a limit of $ 8 800 000. The Beatles reject it.
Dec 12
Friday UK LP release: `Live Peace In Toronto 1969'. US LP release: `Live Peace In Toronto 1969'.
Dec 12
Friday UK LP release: `No One's Gonna Change Our World'. Debut of `Across The Universe'.
Dec 12
Friday London premiere: `The Magic Christian'.
Dec 13
Saturday `The Wedding Album' number 182, 1st week in the ranking (Billboard).
Dec 14
Sunday John and Yoko arrive in a white bag inside a white Rolls Royce, at Hyde Park (at Cumberland Gate), to protest for James Hanratty, while Hanratty's father addresses the crowd. Later, Hanratty and the Lennons drive to 10 Downing Street, to present a petition at the Prime Minister's residence.
Dec 15
Monday Launch of `War Is Over' campaign organized by John and Yoko. Posters and billboards are displayed in 12 important cities around the world.
Dec 15
Monday The Lyceum, London. `Peace For Christmas' gig in aid of UNICEF, by the Plastic Ono Supergroup (John, Yoko, George, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Delaney & Bonnie, and others). 25 minutes. Last John's performance in Britain. Recorded, included in `Some Time In New York City'. Other acts: the Rascals, Desmond Dekker and the Aces, Blue Mink and Black Velvet.
Dec 15
Monday BBC broadcasts a 1-hour documentary about John in the programme `Twenty-Four Hours'.
Dec 16
Tuesday Lennon and Yoko go to Toronto to play in the Peace Festival. For 5 days they stay at Ronnie Hawkins's farm near Toronto.
Dec 16
Tuesday `War Is Over! If You Want It' billboards go up in eleven cities around the world.
Dec 17
Wednesday John announces a plan for a peace festival in Toronto, to take place from 3 to 5 July 1970.
Dec 18
Thursday John signs 3000 lythographies from his collection `Bag One' at Ronnie Hawkins's farm.
Dec 19
Friday The 7th Christmas Record is sent to the members of the Fan Club.
Dec 19
Friday John and Yoko meet Marshall McLuhan at the University of Toronto, speaking with him for 45 minutes.
Read the interview on this day
Dec 20
Saturday `The Wedding Album', 2nd week in the ranking (Billboard).
Dec 20
Saturday End of John and Yoko's stay at Ronnie Hawkins's farm.
Dec 21
Sunday John and Yoko take a train from Montreal to Ottawa. Press conference in Chateau Champlain, Ottawa.
Dec 23
Tuesday 10.30am. The Ottawa press is surprised by the announcement of an imminent meeting of Lennon and Canada Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. 10.55am. A limousine takes John and Yoko into Canadian Parliament's building, for a 55-minute meeting with Pierre Trudeau. After the meeting, John and Yoko are interviewed by the press. John declares to the Canadian press about his pro-active peace movement: "Peace is no violence, no frustration, no fear," John Lennon said in a C.B.C. interview, "If I smile at you, you're liable to smile back. We're smiling at the world." From the ministerial office the Lennons are driven to the Ministery of Public Health, to meet the Minister of Public Health, John Munro, and members of his department.
Dec 23
Tuesday John and Yoko return to London. [24 December?]
Dec 24
Wednesday 6.00-7.00pm. Broadcast of Martin's `With A Little Help From My Friends' show, produced by Yorkshire Television, transmitted by IBA, with Ringo, Lulu, the Hollies, Spike Milligan, Dudley Moore, Blue Mink, Pan's People. Ringo sings `With A Little Help From My Friends'.
Dec 24
Wednesday John and Yoko return to England. [23 December?]
Dec 27
Saturday `The Wedding Album' number 178, 3rd and last week in the ranking (Billboard). Its highest position.
Dec 29
Monday John and Yoko are visited by Hammrick and Leonard, Canadian hypnotizers who intend to help them to stop smoking. John and Yoko fly to Aalborg, Denmark, to visit Kyoko. Paul prepares Heather's birthday party.
Dec 30
Tuesday John interview with Desmond Morris for ATV's `Man Of The Decade'. Interview was recorded on December 2nd, 1969.
Dec 31
Wednesday BBC's TV programme `The Man Of The Decade', dedicated to John, is broadcast. `Rolling Stone' nominates John the Man Of The Year 1969. John declares to New Musical Express he is considering to leave the group.