20 April in Beatles History – Complete On This Day Timeline

What Happened On 20 April In Beatles History?

This page is part of a complete Beatles history archive covering every day of the year. Below is a chronological list of all known events that took place on 20 April throughout Beatles history.

20 April 1961 – The Beatles Live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg

On Thursday 20 April 1961, The Beatles performed their 20th night at the Top Ten Club on Hamburg's Reeperbahn — one of the legendary residencies that forged the Fab Four into the world's greatest live band. Playing up to seven hours per night, these marathon sessions were instrumental in developing their ferocious live sound.

Read the full story: The Beatles at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg – 20 April 1961

20 April 1963 – The Beatles Live at Mersey View Pleasure Grounds, Frodsham

On Saturday 20 April 1963, The Beatles performed at the Mersey View Pleasure Grounds in Frodsham, Cheshire — their only known concert appearance in the town, and one of the last intimate regional shows before Beatlemania made such venues impossible.

Read the full story: The Beatles at Mersey View Pleasure Grounds, Frodsham – 20 April 1963

20 April 1964 – Paul McCartney Films His Lost Solo Scene for A Hard Day's Night

On Monday 20 April 1964, Paul McCartney spent a full day filming a solo scene for A Hard Day's Night at the Jack Billings TV School of Dancing, 18 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush — above what was then The Bush pub. His scene partner was 18-year-old actress Isla Blair. The sequence, written by Alun Owen, included the now-legendary “treacle toffee” speech. Director Richard Lester cut the scene; the footage was later destroyed. Paul McCartney became the only Beatle without a solo scene in the film.

Read the full story: Paul McCartney's Lost A Hard Day's Night Scene – 20 April 1964

Deep dive: The A Hard Day's Night Sequence That Never Was – Full Script & Story

20 April 1964 – A Hard Day's Night Mixing Session at Abbey Road

Also on Monday 20 April 1964, while McCartney filmed in Shepherd's Bush, producer George Martin and engineer Norman Smith completed mono and stereo mixes of the title track A Hard Day's Night at EMI Studios, Abbey Road — the final recording for the film soundtrack, handed to United Artists the same day.

Read the full story: A Hard Day's Night Mixing Session at Abbey Road – 20 April 1964

20 April 1965 – The Beatles Filming Help! at Twickenham Studios

On Tuesday 20 April 1965, The Beatles filmed interior scenes for Help! at Twickenham Film Studios, including the sequence where a Kali-li follower attempts to remove Ringo's ring while he posts a letter.

Read the full story: The Beatles Filming Help! at Twickenham Studios – 20 April 1965

20 April 1966 – Recording Session: And Your Bird Can Sing & Taxman

On Wednesday 20 April 1966, The Beatles spent 12 hours at Abbey Road recording early versions of And Your Bird Can Sing and Taxman for Revolver. Both were later re-recorded; this session's take of And Your Bird Can Sing was released on Anthology 2.

Read the full story: And Your Bird Can Sing & Taxman Recording Session – 20 April 1966

20 April 1967 – Sgt. Pepper Reprise & Only A Northern Song Session

On Thursday 20 April 1967, The Beatles completed stereo mixes of the Sgt. Pepper Reprise and overdubbed Only A Northern Song for the Yellow Submarine soundtrack at Abbey Road — with Yellow Submarine film producers present in the studio.

Read the full story: Sgt. Pepper Reprise & Only A Northern Song – 20 April 1967

20 April 1969 – The Beatles Attempt Northern Songs Takeover

On Sunday 20 April 1969, The Beatles launched a counter-bid to acquire Northern Songs at 42s 6d per share — but ATV's Lew Grade outmanoeuvred them. By September 1969 the Lennon-McCartney catalogue was lost to ATV, setting in motion a decades-long saga over ownership of the songs.

Read the full story: The Beatles' Northern Songs Takeover Attempt – 20 April 1969

20 April 1969 – Recording Session: I Want You (She's So Heavy) & Oh! Darling

Also on Sunday 20 April 1969, The Beatles recorded 26 takes of Oh! Darling and completed overdubs on I Want You (She's So Heavy) at Abbey Road — with Billy Preston on Hammond organ and George Harrison on bass.

Read the full story: I Want You & Oh! Darling Recording Session – 20 April 1969

20 April 1970 – McCartney Album US Release

On Monday 20 April 1970, Paul McCartney's debut solo album McCartney was released in the United States — three days after its UK release and just days after he had publicly announced the end of The Beatles. It reached number one on both sides of the Atlantic.

Read the full story: McCartney Album US Release – 20 April 1970

20 April 1971 – Yoko Ono Locates Daughter Kyoko Cox in Mallorca

On Tuesday 20 April 1971, Yoko Ono located her daughter Kyoko Cox in Cala Murada, Mallorca, where she was living with father Tony Cox. Lennon and Ono were staying at the Hotel Bellver in Palma under the assumed name Mr and Mrs Curtis.

Read the full story: Yoko Ono Locates Kyoko Cox in Mallorca – 20 April 1971

20 April 1990 – Paul McCartney Live at Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro

On Monday 20 April 1990, Paul McCartney performed at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro as part of his World Tour — one of the largest concerts of his career, with a full 31-song setlist spanning Beatles classics, Wings material, and solo tracks.

Read the full story: Paul McCartney at Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro – 20 April 1990

20 April 1993 – Paul McCartney Live at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces

On Tuesday 20 April 1993, Paul McCartney performed the 17th show of his New World Tour at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to a crowd of 30,058 fans.

Read the full story: Paul McCartney at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces – 20 April 1993

20 April 2016 – Paul McCartney Live at Rogers Arena, Vancouver

On Wednesday 20 April 2016, Paul McCartney performed the 5th show of his One On One Tour at Rogers Arena in Vancouver — with guest appearances by Jimmy Fallon and the Delta Police Band.

Read the full story: Paul McCartney at Rogers Arena, Vancouver – 20 April 2016

Related Hub Pages

The Beatles Films: Complete Guide – A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine & Let It Be
April in Beatles History – All documented events from April across Beatles history