1 May in Beatles History

From Hamburg club residencies in the early 1960s to landmark BBC recordings, Abbey Road mixing sessions, and Paul McCartney’s world tours, 1 May is a richly documented date in Beatles history. Here is everything that happened on this day across the decades.

1 May 1961 – The Beatles at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg

The Beatles performed their 31st night of their legendary Top Ten Club residency — part of a 92-night, 503-hour engagement that transformed them into a world-class live act.

1 May 1962 – The Beatles at the Star-Club, Hamburg

The Beatles performed their 18th night at the Star-Club — part of their first 48-night residency at the venue that cemented their reputation as one of the most compelling live acts in Europe.

1 May 1964 – The Beatles: From Us To You, BBC Radio

The Beatles recorded their third From Us To You Bank Holiday special for BBC Radio at the Paris Studio, London — one of their most significant BBC sessions of the Beatlemania era.

1 May 1966 – The Beatles’ Final UK Concert, NME Poll-Winners, Wembley

The Beatles performed at the NME Poll-Winners Concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley — what would prove to be their final ever concert on British soil.

1 May 1969 – The Beatles: Oh Darling Mixing, Abbey Road

The Beatles completed stereo mixing of Oh Darling at Abbey Road — one of the key sessions in the preparation of the Abbey Road album.

1 May 1969 – John Lennon & Yoko Ono: John and Yoko Mixing, Abbey Road

John Lennon and Yoko Ono were at Abbey Road completing mixing sessions for their Wedding Album — one of their most experimental and personal collaborative recordings.

1 May 1970 – George Harrison: WABC Interview, New York

George Harrison gave a wide-ranging interview to WABC Radio in New York, discussing the Beatles split, Apple Corps, and his forthcoming solo work.

1 May 1970 – George Harrison: WABC Interview Full Transcript

The full transcript of George Harrison’s WABC Radio interview — a key primary source document for understanding the Beatles’ breakup from George’s perspective.

1 May 1970 – George Harrison & Bob Dylan: New Morning Session, New York

George Harrison joined Bob Dylan at Columbia Recording Studios in New York for sessions that would contribute to Dylan’s New Morning album — one of the most celebrated musical collaborations of the post-Beatles era.

1 May 1972 – John Lennon US Deportation Halted, New York Court Ruling

A New York court halted the US government’s attempt to deport John Lennon — a landmark ruling in one of the most significant legal battles in rock history.

1 May 1993 – Paul McCartney Live at Georgia Dome, Atlanta

Paul McCartney performed at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta as part of his New World Tour — one of the largest indoor venues on the tour.

1 May 2002 – Paul McCartney Live at The Palace, Auburn Hills

Paul McCartney performed at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan, as part of his Driving World Tour — his first major tour of the 2000s.

1 May 2012 – George Harrison: Early Takes Volume 1 Released

George Harrison’s Early Takes Volume 1 was released — a collection of intimate demo recordings from the All Things Must Pass and Living in the Material World era.

1 May 2014 – Paul McCartney Live at Estadio Nacional, Costa Rica

Paul McCartney performed at the Estadio Nacional in San José, Costa Rica, as part of his Out There Tour — his first ever concert in Costa Rica.

1 May 2022 – The Beatles: Now and Then String Recording, Capitol Studios, Los Angeles

String overdubs for Now and Then — the final Beatles song — were recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, with orchestral arrangements by Giles Martin.