17 May in Beatles History

From The Beatles' Hamburg residency in 1961 to Paul McCartney becoming the UK's first billionaire musician in 2024, the 17th of May spans six decades of Beatles and solo history. This page collects every confirmed event on this date.

→ May in Beatles History | 16 May | 18 May

Events on 17 May

1961 — The Beatles Live at the Top Ten Club, Hamburg

Night 47 of 92 at the Top Ten Club on the Reeperbahn — the longest single residency of The Beatles' Hamburg years, totalling 503 hours on stage. Lineup: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best. Weekday hours: 7pm–2am, 15-minute break per hour.

1962 — The Beatles Live at the Star-Club, Hamburg

Night 34 of 48 at the Star-Club on the Große Freiheit — The Beatles' first of three 1962 residencies at Hamburg's newest rock and roll venue. Lineup: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best. Stuart Sutcliffe had died five weeks earlier.

1963 — The Beatles Live at the Grosvenor Rooms, Norwich

The Beatles' only concert in Norwich — booked by promoters Peter Holmes, Ray Aldous, and Geoffrey Walker for £250 (initial offer: £45). 1,700 people attended. Afterwards The Beatles joined the queue at Valori's takeaway in Rose Lane for cod and chips. Their only visit to the city.

1967 — Recording: You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)

The first recording session for one of The Beatles' most unusual songs, at Studio Two, Abbey Road. George Martin was absent; Geoff Emerick supervised. 14 takes of the rhythm track were recorded. The song — inspired by a London phone book slogan seen by Lennon at McCartney's home — was not released until March 1970 as the B-side of 'Let It Be'.

1971 — Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney – US Album Release

Paul McCartney's second post-Beatles album — the only album credited to both Paul and Linda McCartney — was released in the US, four days before its UK release. It reached number two in the US (held off by Carole King's Tapestry) and number one in the UK. 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey' became McCartney's first post-Beatles US number one single.

1971 — John Lennon and Yoko Ono Travel from Nice to Barcelona

Lennon and Ono flew from Nice to Barcelona to consult Spanish lawyers regarding the Kyoko custody case. They had been in Cannes for screenings of Fly and Apotheosis. Lennon and Ono had been arrested in Majorca on 23 April on suspicion of kidnapping Kyoko; charges had been dropped in May.

1972 — John Lennon and Yoko Ono Attend US Immigration Hearing

A follow-up hearing in New York City. Lennon pleaded: “I don't know if there's any mercy to plead for… but if there is any, I'd like it, please.” Ono, asked what she would do if her husband were deported, replied: “You're asking me to choose between my husband and my child.” An adjournment was granted until 1 July. Lennon received his green card on 27 July 1976.

1973 — Wings Live at the Hardrock Concert Theatre, Manchester

Night 6 of 18 on the Wings 1973 UK Tour, with Brinsley Schwarz in support. Second of two consecutive nights at the Hardrock Concert Theatre on Withy Grove. Fan Alan Fielding wrote in the Wings Fun Club newsletter: “Wings rocked all the way… when everyone had 'Hi, Hi, Hi' blasting out the roof nearly came off!”

1997 — Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Live at Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise

Show 15 of 30 on the 1997 US tour, featuring the fourth All-Starr Band: Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce (Cream), Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Mark Rivera, and Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Company). 23-song set including four Procol Harum songs from Gary Brooker — including 'Homburg', not played the previous night in Atlanta.

2000 — Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Live at Westbury Music Fair, Jericho

Show 5 of 32 on the 2000 North American tour, featuring the sixth All-Starr Band: Dave Edmunds, Jack Bruce (Cream), Eric Carmen (Raspberries), Mark Rivera, and Simon Kirke (Free/Bad Company). Second of two consecutive nights at the Westbury Music Fair, Jericho, Long Island.

2002 — Paul McCartney Live at the National Car Rental Center, Sunrise

Show 26 of 58 on the Driving World Tour — first of two consecutive nights in Sunrise, Florida. 37-song set. Performances of 'Lonely Road' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' from this show appear on the live albums Back In The US and Back In The World. → Night 2: 18 May 2002

2003 — Paul McCartney Live at Königsplatz, Munich

Show 27 of 33 on the Back In The World Tour — first of two outdoor nights at the Königsplatz, one of Munich's most historically significant public squares. 38-song set. The same tour included the first rock concert ever held at Red Square, Moscow (24 May 2003). → Night 2: 18 May 2003

2016 — Paul McCartney Live at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, Tolosa

Show 11 of the One On One Tour — first of two nights in Tolosa, Argentina. 39-song concert set plus a 12-song soundcheck including rarities 'Ram On', 'Mrs Vandebilt', and 'San Francisco Bay Blues'. Notable inclusions: 'Temporary Secretary', 'In Spite of All the Danger', and 'FourFiveSeconds'.

2021 — McCartney 3,2,1 Documentary Announced for Hulu

Hulu announced the six-part documentary series McCartney 3,2,1, featuring Paul McCartney in intimate conversation with producer Rick Rubin. All six episodes premiered on 16 July 2021. Directed by Emmy Award-winner Zachary Heinzerling.

2022 — Paul McCartney Live at Dickies Arena, Fort Worth

Show 7 of 80 on the Got Back Tour — 36-song set with an expanded seven-piece band including a brass section (Kenji Fenton, Mike Davis, Paul Burton). Notable inclusions: 'Junior's Farm', 'Helter Skelter', 'Women and Wives', and 'I've Got a Feeling' performed as a live video duet with John Lennon using archival footage.

2024 — Paul McCartney Becomes UK's First Billionaire Musician

The Sunday Times Rich List reported that Paul McCartney, jointly with his wife Nancy, had reached an estimated combined wealth of £1 billion — making him the UK's first billionaire musician. The £50 million increase from 2023 was driven by the Got Back Tour, 'Now and Then' royalties, and Beyoncé's cover of 'Blackbird' on Cowboy Carter.