4 November in Beatles History – Complete On This Day Timeline
Explore 4 November in Beatles history through 25 detailed articles, from the group’s Hamburg years to Paul McCartney’s 2023 Gold Coast concert. This chronological guide brings together live performances, recording and mixing sessions, record releases and developments involving John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono.
The date includes the Beatles’ 1963 Royal Variety Performance, the recording of “What Goes On” and “12-Bar Original”, four separate events in 1974, and the 2009 announcement of the apple-shaped Beatles USB collection.
1960–1963: Hamburg, Liverpool and the Royal Variety Performance
1960: The Beatles at the Kaiserkeller, Hamburg
The group played its 32nd night at the Kaiserkeller, sharing the bill with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Explore the five-piece line-up, the Hamburg residency and the club’s location.
Read: The Beatles at the Kaiserkeller – 4 November 1960.
1961: Evening show at the Cavern Club
The Beatles returned to Liverpool’s Cavern for their 22nd evening appearance and 72nd known performance there, shortly before Brian Epstein’s first visit to see them.
Read: Cavern Club evening show – 4 November 1961.
1962: Fourth night of the November Star-Club residency
John, Paul, George and Ringo continued their November engagement at Hamburg’s Star-Club. The full account covers the residency contract, personnel and complete run of dates.
Read: The Beatles at the Star-Club – 4 November 1962.
1963: Royal Variety Performance in London
The Beatles performed four songs at the Prince of Wales Theatre before Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. John Lennon’s jewellery remark became one of the evening’s best-known moments.
Read: The Royal Variety Performance – 4 November 1963.
1964–1968: releases, sessions and management
1964: Extracts From The Film A Hard Day’s Night EP
The UK film EP, Parlophone GEP 8920, brought together “I Should Have Known Better”, “If I Fell”, “Tell Me Why” and “And I Love Her”.
Read: A Hard Day’s Night film EP UK release – 4 November 1964.
1964: Beatles For Sale and I Feel Fine stereo mixing
George Martin and Norman Smith worked through the final stereo mixes for Beatles For Sale and prepared a stereo mix of “I Feel Fine” at Abbey Road.
Read: Beatles For Sale and I Feel Fine mixing – 4 November 1964.
1964: Two shows at the Ritz Cinema, Luton
The Beatles made their final Luton concert visit during the autumn UK tour. Explore the setlist, supporting bill, mayoral backstage visit and historic venue.
Read: Ritz Cinema, Luton – 4 November 1964.
1965: What Goes On and 12-Bar Original
A late-night Abbey Road session produced Ringo’s Rubber Soul vocal and the instrumental “12-Bar Original”, later issued in edited form on Anthology 2.
Read: What Goes On and 12-Bar Original recording – 4 November 1965.
1966: NEMS leaves 13 Monmouth Street
Brian Epstein’s management company finally vacated its former London offices. The article traces the Monmouth Street and Argyll Street locations and the later commemorative plaque.
Read: NEMS leaves Monmouth Street – 4 November 1966.
1968: Yoko Ono is admitted to hospital
Yoko entered Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London. The account covers John Lennon’s bedside presence and the hospital recordings associated with their subsequent work.
Read: Yoko Ono’s hospital admission – 4 November 1968.
1972–1980: solo work and Wings
1972: Approximately Infinite Universe mixing
Yoko Ono and John Lennon worked on final mixes at New York’s Record Plant for material associated with Approximately Infinite Universe.
Read: Approximately Infinite Universe mixing – 4 November 1972.
1974: Junior’s Farm reaches US record shops
Wings’ Nashville-recorded single “Junior’s Farm”, backed with “Sally G”, received its American release following the earlier UK date.
Read: Junior’s Farm US single release – 4 November 1974.
1974: Final mixing for One Hand Clapping
Paul McCartney, Geoff Emerick and Mark Vigars worked at Abbey Road on the final mixing session for Wings’ filmed studio project.
Read: One Hand Clapping final mixing – 4 November 1974.
1974: John Lennon mixes Stand By Me
Lennon worked at New York’s Record Plant on “Stand By Me”, part of the recordings released on Rock ’N’ Roll.
Read: Stand By Me mixing – 4 November 1974.
1974: George Harrison in Seattle
Harrison’s North American tour with Ravi Shankar reached Seattle Center Coliseum. The full guide includes the musicians, programme, itinerary and historic venue.
Read: George Harrison in Seattle – 4 November 1974.
1975: Wings at Apollo Stadium, Adelaide
The Wings Over the World tour continued in Adelaide with Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English.
Read: Wings at Apollo Stadium – 4 November 1975.
1976: Wings Over America mixing
McCartney mixed “Let Me Roll It” and “Spirits of Ancient Egypt” at Abbey Road using live recordings from Cincinnati and Seattle.
Read: Wings Over America mixing – 4 November 1976.
1980: Ringo Starr records with Harry Nilsson
Ringo worked at Evergreen in Burbank on “Drumming Is My Madness”, “Stop and Take the Time to Smell the Roses” and “Back Off Boogaloo”.
Read: Ringo’s Evergreen recording session – 4 November 1980.
2005–2023: concerts and catalogue news
2005: Paul McCartney at Portland’s Rose Garden
McCartney’s US Tour reached Portland with Beatles, Wings and solo songs. The article includes the complete setlist and all 37 tour dates.
Read: Rose Garden, Portland – 4 November 2005.
2009: EMI’s BlueBeat lawsuit makes news
The dispute over BlueBeat’s unauthorised Beatles downloads became a major digital-music story. The account distinguishes the filing date from the 4 November news coverage.
Read: EMI and BlueBeat – 4 November 2009.
2009: Apple Corps announces the Beatles USB collection
A limited apple-shaped USB drive was announced with 14 stereo titles, FLAC and MP3 audio, artwork and mini-documentaries, ahead of its December release.
Read: Beatles USB announcement – 4 November 2009.
2011: Ringo Starr at Movistar Arena, Santiago
Ringo and the All-Starr Band performed in Chile. Explore the line-up, setlist, Santiago venue and 2011 tour itinerary.
Read: Ringo in Santiago – 4 November 2011.
2013: Ringo Starr at Teatro Ópera, Buenos Aires
The seven-piece All-Starr Band opened its Argentine run at Teatro Ópera before Córdoba and two Luna Park concerts.
Read: Teatro Ópera, Buenos Aires – 4 November 2013.
2017: Ringo Starr at WinStar, Thackerville
The thirteenth date of Ringo’s autumn US itinerary brought the All-Starrs to Oklahoma’s Global Event Center after their Texas concerts.
Read: WinStar, Thackerville – 4 November 2017.
2023: Paul McCartney’s first Gold Coast concert
McCartney closed his Australian Got Back run at Heritage Bank Stadium. Explore the concert and soundcheck setlists, band and school-band winners’ visit.
Read: Heritage Bank Stadium, Gold Coast – 4 November 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Beatles history on 4 November?
The date includes Hamburg and Liverpool concerts, the 1963 Royal Variety Performance, Beatles recording and mixing sessions, Wings and solo projects, and later catalogue news and concerts. This timeline links 25 detailed event articles.
When was the Beatles’ Royal Variety Performance?
It took place on 4 November 1963 at London’s Prince of Wales Theatre, attended by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
What did the Beatles record on 4 November 1965?
They recorded “What Goes On” and “12-Bar Original” during a late-night session at Abbey Road.
Which solo Beatles performed on 4 November?
This archive covers George Harrison in Seattle in 1974, Wings in Adelaide in 1975, Paul McCartney in Portland in 2005 and the Gold Coast in 2023, and Ringo Starr’s 2011, 2013 and 2017 All-Starr concerts.
Where can I browse other dates?
Visit the November directory, the On This Day in Beatles History archive or the adjacent 3 November timeline.