18 May in Beatles History

From The Beatles' Hamburg residency in 1961 to Paul McCartney postponing his Tokyo shows in 2014, the 18th of May spans over five decades of Beatles and solo history. This page collects every confirmed event on this date.

→ May in Beatles History | 17 May | 19 May

Events on 18 May

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

Night 48 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.

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

Night 35 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.

1963 — The Beatles Live at the Adelphi Cinema, Slough

Part of the Roy Orbison/Gerry and the Pacemakers UK tour. The Beatles topped the bill despite Orbison's star power, with audiences demanding they close the show every night.

1965 — Post-Sync Recording for Help!

Post-synchronisation recording session at Twickenham Film Studios for the Help! film. John Lennon also attended a luncheon for the publication of his second book, A Spaniard in the Works.

1966 — Recording and Mixing: Got To Get You Into My Life

Recording and mixing session at Abbey Road for 'Got To Get You Into My Life', produced by George Martin and engineered by Geoff Emerick. The track would appear on Revolver, released in August 1966.

1970 — Let It Be – US Album Release

The Beatles' twelfth and final studio album was released in the United States on 18 May 1970, accompanied by the United Artists film of the same name. The UK release followed on 8 May 1970.

1970 — Let It Be Press Screening at the London Pavilion

The press screening of the Let It Be film took place at the London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus. None of The Beatles attended.

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

Lennon and Ono flew from Barcelona to Nice to attend the Cannes Film Festival, where their films Fly and Apotheosis were being screened.

1972 — John Lennon and Yoko Ono Interview for WNBC News

Lennon and Ono were interviewed at their Bank Street home in Greenwich Village for WNBC News, during the period of their US immigration battle.

1973 — Wings Live at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Night 7 of 18 on the Wings 1973 UK Tour. McCartney's first concert in his home city since The Beatles' last Liverpool show in 1963. Lineup: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough, Denny Seiwell.

1976 — Wings Live at the Omni Coliseum, Atlanta

Part of the Wings Over the World Tour — one of the largest-grossing concert tours of 1976. Lineup: Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, Joe English.

1977 — Recording: Deliver Your Children and Morse Moose And The Grey Goose

Wings recording session aboard the Fair Carol in the US Virgin Islands for the London Town album, engineered by Geoff Emerick. Both tracks feature Denny Laine on lead vocals.

1997 — Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Live at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater

Show 16 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). 22-song set.

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

Show 27 of 58 on the Driving World Tour — second of two consecutive nights in Sunrise, Florida. 37-song set. McCartney's band: Paul 'Wix' Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr.

2003 — Paul McCartney Live at Königsplatz, Munich

Show 28 of 33 on the Back In The World Tour — second of two outdoor nights at the Königsplatz. 38-song set. The same tour included the first rock concert ever held at Red Square, Moscow (24 May 2003). McCartney's band: Paul 'Wix' Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr.

2013 — Paul McCartney Live at the Amway Center, Orlando

Show 4 of 91 on the Out There Tour — first of two consecutive nights in Orlando and the first US show of the tour. 38-song set including 'Eight Days A Week', 'Paperback Writer', 'Helter Skelter', and 'Golden Slumbers'. McCartney's band: Paul 'Wix' Wickens, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson, and Abe Laboriel Jr.

2014 — Paul McCartney Postpones Tokyo National Stadium Shows

McCartney was forced to postpone both his Tokyo National Stadium shows — scheduled for 17 and 18 May — after contracting a virus on 16 May. He issued personal statements of apology to Japanese fans. The Out There Tour resumed at the Nippon Budokan on 21 May.