27 May in Beatles History

From Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr flying home from the Virgin Islands in 1964 to Ringo Starr's Las Vegas residency in 2023, 27 May has been a significant date throughout Beatles history. This page collects every event we have documented for this day, in chronological order.

Events on 27 May

1964

→ Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox fly to London from the Virgin Islands – 27 May 1964
After a holiday in the Virgin Islands, Paul McCartney, Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, and Maureen Cox flew back to London.

1966

→ John Lennon is filmed with Bob Dylan – 27 May 1966
Lennon and Dylan were filmed in a limousine travelling from Kenwood to the May Fair Hotel in London for DA Pennebaker's documentary Eat The Document. The full transcript of their conversation is included.

1969

→ John Lennon and Yoko Ono's second bed-in for peace: Montreal – 27 May 1969
Lennon and Ono began their second bed-in for peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, occupying suites 1738, 1740, and 1742. The eight-day event culminated in the recording of 'Give Peace A Chance' on 1 June.

1970

→ Recording: All Things Must Pass demos by George Harrison – 27 May 1970
The second of two consecutive demo sessions at Abbey Road, producing 15 solo recordings including 'Wah-Wah' (with bass by Klaus Voormann), 'Beware Of Darkness', and 'If Not For You'. The full set of 30 demos was released in the 2021 super deluxe reissue.

1971

→ Recording: Imagine, Oh Yoko! by John Lennon – 27 May 1971
The seventh Imagine session at Ascot Sound Studios, Tittenhurst Park. 'Imagine' was recorded in 10 takes (take 10 = master); 'Oh Yoko!' in one. A film crew was present for what became the Imagine film.

1973

→ Wings live: Hammersmith Odeon, London – 27 May 1973
The third of three consecutive nights at the Hammersmith Odeon on the Wings 1973 UK Tour, with support from Brinsley Schwarz. Elton John and Rod Stewart were spotted in the audience.

1975

→ US album release: Venus And Mars by Wings – 27 May 1975
The follow-up to Band On The Run topped the Billboard 200 for one week and spent 77 weeks on the US charts. Held off number one in both the UK and US by the Spice Girls' Spice.

1976

→ Wings live: Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati – 27 May 1976
The 44th date of the Wings Over The World Tour. Seven performances from this show — including 'Venus And Mars', 'Jet', and 'Bluebird' — appear on the live album Wings Over America.

1977

→ Mixing: Café On The Left Bank, Girls School, Girlfriend and more by Wings – 27 May 1977
The final day of Wings' Virgin Islands sessions for London Town. Geoff Emerick mixed 11 tracks aboard the Fair Carol. Wings threw a farewell party that evening, with McCartney on piano and Mary and Stella McCartney performing a play.

1979

→ John Lennon and Yoko Ono publish open letter in The New York Times – 27 May 1979
Lennon and Ono published 'A Love Letter From John And Yoko To People Who Ask Us What, When, And Why' on the back page of the New York Times In Review section — one of the few public statements Lennon made during his years of seclusion at the Dakota.

1997

→ US album release: Flaming Pie by Paul McCartney – 27 May 1997
McCartney's first album in four years peaked at number two in both the UK and US, held off the top by the Spice Girls. Nominated for Album of the Year at the 1998 Grammy Awards.

2000

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Burke Lakefront Airport, Cleveland – 27 May 2000
The 12th date of the sixth All-Starr Band's North American tour, at the Tops Great American Rib Cook-Off. The band featured Jack Bruce, Dave Edmunds, Eric Carmen, Simon Kirke, and Mark Rivera.

2003

→ Paul McCartney live: RDS Arena, Dublin – 27 May 2003
The 31st date of the Back In The World Tour, three days after McCartney's landmark concert at Red Square in Moscow. The 38-song setlist included a 15-song soundcheck.

2010

→ Paul McCartney live: Foro Sol, Mexico City – 27 May 2010
The sixth date of the Up And Coming Tour broke the world record for the fastest-selling stadium show in Mexico. A second date was added the following night. The setlist included the apparently improvised 'Shine A Light In Mexico'.

2015

→ Paul McCartney live: Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham – 27 May 2015
The 73rd date of the Out There Tour, seen by 10,840 fans. The 40-song setlist included 'Temporary Secretary', 'Lovely Rita', and 'Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!'.

2019

→ Paul McCartney live: PNC Arena, Raleigh – 27 May 2019
The 25th date of the Freshen Up Tour, seen by 14,805 fans. McCartney took a rare drink of water after his voice faltered during 'Here Today', his tribute to John Lennon.

2022

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Casino Rama, Rama – 27 May 2022
The opening night of the 15th All-Starr Band's 30-date North American tour, featuring Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Hamish Stuart, Warren Ham, and Gregg Bissonette.

2023

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Venetian Theatre, Las Vegas – 27 May 2023
The last of three consecutive nights at the Venetian Theatre, the seventh date of the 15th All-Starr Band's 43-date North American tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on 27 May in Beatles history?

27 May has been a significant date throughout Beatles history. Key events include John Lennon being filmed with Bob Dylan in a limousine for Eat The Document (1966), John Lennon and Yoko Ono beginning their Montreal Bed-In for Peace (1969), the recording of 'Imagine' in 10 takes at Ascot Sound Studios (1971), the US release of Venus And Mars by Wings (1975), and Paul McCartney breaking the world record for the fastest-selling stadium show in Mexico (2010).

What happened on 27 May 1966?

John Lennon and Bob Dylan were filmed in a limousine travelling from Kenwood, Lennon's home in Weybridge, to the May Fair Hotel in London, where Dylan was staying. The footage was shot by DA Pennebaker for his documentary Eat The Document. Two 10-minute reels were filmed; only a few minutes appeared in the final cut.

When did the Montreal Bed-In begin?

John Lennon and Yoko Ono's second Bed-In for Peace began at around midday on 27 May 1969 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. They occupied suites 1738, 1740, and 1742. The eight-day event culminated in the recording of 'Give Peace A Chance' on 1 June 1969.

How many takes did it take to record 'Imagine'?

Ten takes, recorded on 27 May 1971 at Ascot Sound Studios, Tittenhurst Park. The final take became the master. The string arrangement by Torrie Zito was overdubbed at Record Plant East in New York on 4 July 1971, performed by members of the New York Philharmonic, whom Lennon called The Flux Fiddlers.

What is Wings Over America?

A triple live album by Wings, released in December 1976, recorded during the North American leg of the Wings Over The World Tour. Seven tracks from the 27 May 1976 concert at the Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati appear on the album, including 'Venus And Mars', 'Jet', and 'Bluebird'.

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