12 August in Beatles History

From Pete Best’s audition in 1960 to Paul McCartney performing live in 2014, 12 August is one of the richest dates in Beatles history. This page collects every confirmed event — concerts, recording sessions, releases, press conferences and more — in chronological order.

← 11 August   |   13 August →

1960

Pete Best auditions for The Beatles – 12 August 1960
Pete Best auditioned for The Beatles at the Casbah Coffee Club in Liverpool, impressing the group enough to be invited to join as their drummer ahead of their first Hamburg trip.

Paul McCartney offers audition to mystery drummer – 12 August 1960
On the same day, McCartney was also in contact with another potential drummer candidate, reflecting the urgency of finding a replacement before the Hamburg engagement.

1961

The Beatles live: Aintree Institute, Liverpool – 12 August 1961
The Beatles performed at the Aintree Institute in Liverpool during their busy residency period on the local circuit.

1962

The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening) – 12 August 1962
The Beatles performed an evening session at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, one of hundreds of appearances at the venue that defined their early career.

1963

The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Llandudno – 12 August 1963
The Beatles performed at the Odeon Cinema in Llandudno, Wales, during the height of Beatlemania in Britain.

1964

Radio: The Teen Scene – 12 August 1964
A Beatles-related radio broadcast aired as part of the Teen Scene programme during the group’s peak commercial period.

1966

Press conference: Astor Tower Hotel, Chicago – 12 August 1966
The Beatles held a press conference at the Astor Tower Hotel in Chicago at the start of their final North American tour, addressing the controversy over John Lennon’s ‘more popular than Jesus’ remarks.

The Beatles live: International Amphitheatre, Chicago – 12 August 1966
The Beatles performed two shows at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago — the opening night of what would prove to be their final concert tour.

1968

Recording, mixing: Not Guilty – 12 August 1968
The Beatles recorded and mixed George Harrison’s ‘Not Guilty’ at Abbey Road during the White Album sessions. The song was left off the album and not officially released until Harrison’s 1979 solo album.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono attend an Ossie Clark fashion show – 12 August 1968
John Lennon and Yoko Ono attended a fashion show by designer Ossie Clark, one of the defining figures of London’s swinging sixties scene.

1969

Mixing: Oh! Darling, Because, Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – 12 August 1969
The Beatles worked on mixing sessions for three Abbey Road tracks at Abbey Road Studios.

1970

Recording: All Things Must Pass by George Harrison – 12 August 1970
George Harrison continued recording sessions for his landmark triple album All Things Must Pass, produced by Phil Spector, at Abbey Road Studios.

1971

Travel: John Lennon – London to New York City – 12 August 1971
John Lennon and Yoko Ono flew from London to New York City, a move that would prove permanent — Lennon never returned to live in England.

1972

Wings live: Fyns Forum, Odense – 12 August 1972
Wings performed at the Fyns Forum in Odense, Denmark — the 17th night of the Wings Over Europe Tour, Paul McCartney’s first European concerts since 1966.

1973

Recording: Mind Games by John Lennon – 12 August 1973
The third overdub session for John Lennon’s fourth solo album Mind Games took place at the Record Plant in New York City, featuring the core band of Spinozza, Ascher, Edwards and Keltner.

1980

Recording: You’ve Got A Nice Way, Red And Black Blues by Ringo Starr – 12 August 1980
Ringo Starr began recording two songs for Stop And Smell The Roses at Devonshire Sound Studios in Los Angeles, produced by Stephen Stills.

Recording: I’m Losing You, I’m Moving On, Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) by John Lennon and Yoko Ono – 12 August 1980
The fifth Double Fantasy session at the Hit Factory featured Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen and Bun E Carlos, and the recording of ‘Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)’ — home to the line “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

1989

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh – 12 August 1989
The first All-Starr Band — featuring Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Rick Danko, Dr John, Billy Preston, Clarence Clemons, Levon Helm and Jim Keltner — performed the first of two consecutive nights at Jones Beach Theatre, New York.

1992

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles – 12 August 1992
The second All-Starr Band performed the second of two consecutive nights at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles. Stevie Nicks, Doug Fieger, Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold joined for the finale.

1995

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Sunken Gardens, San Antonio – 12 August 1995
The third All-Starr Band — featuring John Entwistle, Billy Preston, Randy Bachman, Mark Farner, Felix Cavaliere and Zak Starkey — performed at the Sunken Gardens in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio.

1997

Album release: Ringo Starr And His Third All-Starr Band – Volume 1 – 12 August 1997
A limited edition of 10,000 copies, available exclusively from Blockbuster video stores in North America for $5.99, recorded at the Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, on 27 June 1995.

1998

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Freilichtbühne, Stuttgart – 12 August 1998
The fourth All-Starr Band — featuring Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker and Simon Kirke — performed in searing heat at the Freilichtbühne in Stuttgart, Germany.

2003

Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont – 12 August 2003
The eighth All-Starr Band — featuring Colin Hay, Paul Carrack, John Waite and Sheila E — performed at the Rosemont Theatre in Illinois.

2010

Paul McCartney live: Bell Centre, Montreal – 12 August 2010
McCartney performed ‘Michelle’ for the first time on the Up And Coming Tour and signed a fan’s arm during ‘Yesterday’ after she held up a sign about a tattoo appointment. Attendance: 16,993.

2013

Paul McCartney live: Investors Group Field, Winnipeg – 12 August 2013
McCartney received the keys to the city of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Police Band joined on stage for ‘Mull Of Kintyre’. Attendance: 30,149.

2014

Paul McCartney live: US Airways Center, Phoenix – 12 August 2014
McCartney officiated a mock wedding on stage for Andrea Copado and Adam Kowal, who held up a sign reading “You’re ordained, we’re engaged. Please marry us tonight!” Attendance: 14,035.

← 11 August in Beatles History   |   13 August in Beatles History →

→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub