28 May in Beatles History

From the Silver Beetles performing in Peterhead, Scotland in 1960 to Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band at the Yaamava’ Theater in California in 2024, 28 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 28 May

1960

→ The Silver Beetles live: Rescue Hall, Peterhead, Scotland – 28 May 1960
The Silver Beetles performed at the Rescue Hall in Peterhead during their Scottish tour backing Johnny Gentle — the first time the group performed outside Merseyside.

1961

→ The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg – 28 May 1961
One of the Beatles’ performances at the Top Ten Club during their second Hamburg residency (April–July 1961). Tony Sheridan regularly joined them on stage.

1962

→ The Beatles live: Star-Club, Hamburg – 28 May 1962
One of the Beatles’ performances at the Star-Club during their third and final Hamburg residency, which ran from 13 April to 31 May 1962.

1963

→ The Beatles live: Gaumont Cinema, Worcester – 28 May 1963
One of two performances at the Gaumont Cinema in Worcester during the Roy Orbison/Beatles UK Tour. The Beatles had recently topped the charts with From Me To You.

1967

→ The Beatles attend a party at Brian Epstein’s country house – 28 May 1967
The Beatles attended a party at Epstein’s country house, Kingsley Hill in East Sussex, just weeks before the release of Sgt Pepper’s. One of the last such gatherings before Epstein’s death in August 1967.

1969

→ Mixing, master compilation: Let It Be, Get Back album – 28 May 1969
Glyn Johns completed the master tape for the unreleased Get Back album at Olympic Sound Studios, Barnes, also creating a stereo mix of Let It Be. The 15-track compilation was rejected by the Beatles and not officially released until 2024.

1970

→ Recording: Wah-Wah, My Sweet Lord, I’d Have You Anytime by George Harrison – 28 May 1970
The third All Things Must Pass session and the first with a full band, at Abbey Road Studio Three. Eric Clapton on guitar; Badfinger on four acoustic guitars for My Sweet Lord.

1971

→ Photography: Imagine by John Lennon – 28 May 1971
The Imagine album cover was photographed on the south lawn of Tittenhurst Park by Iain Macmillan, who had also shot the Abbey Road cover in 1969.

→ Radio: John Lennon and Yoko Ono on Woman’s Hour – 28 May 1971
Lennon and Ono were interviewed at Tittenhurst Park for BBC Radio’s Woman’s Hour by Hilary Henson. The encounter was also filmed for the Imagine film.

→ Recording: Oh My Love, Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon – 28 May 1971
The eighth and final backing track session for Imagine at Ascot Sound Studios. Oh My Love was recorded in 20 takes; Gimme Some Truth received its final vocals and George Harrison’s slide guitar solo.

1980

→ Travel: John Lennon – Cape Town to New York, 28 May 1980
Lennon left Cape Town and flew back to New York, arriving 29 May. He had been on a private holiday in South Africa since 23 May, staying at the Mount Nelson Hotel as Mr J Green.

1997

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Bob Carpenter Center, Newark – 28 May 1997
The 22nd date of the fourth All-Starr Band’s 30-date US tour, featuring Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce, Gary Brooker, Simon Kirke, and Mark Rivera.

2000

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Riverport Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights – 28 May 2000
The 13th date of the sixth All-Starr Band’s 32-date North American tour, featuring Dave Edmunds, Jack Bruce, Eric Carmen, Simon Kirke, and Mark Rivera.

2004

→ Paul McCartney live: Parque Bela Vista, Lisbon – 28 May 2004
The second date of the 04 Summer Tour. McCartney played demos to Capitol Records chairman Andrew Slater in Lisbon — material recorded with Nigel Godrich that became Chaos And Creation In The Backyard (2005).

2010

→ Paul McCartney live: Foro Sol, Mexico City – 28 May 2010
The seventh date of the Up And Coming Tour — a second night added after the first show broke the world record for the fastest-selling stadium show in Mexico. Broadcast live in Chapultepec Park and via webcast.

2015

→ Paul McCartney live: Echo Arena, Liverpool – 28 May 2015
The 74th date of the Out There Tour, seen by 9,274 fans. During Can’t Buy Me Love, fan Fabrice Gueho proposed to Diane McEvoy on stage. McCartney quipped: “If I was you, love, I’d get him to ask you again in the morning when he’s not pissed!”

2016

→ Paul McCartney live: Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf – 28 May 2016
The 13th date of the One On One Tour. The soundcheck guitar jam became the basis for Slidin’ on McCartney’s 2020 album McCartney III, released as a bonus track on some versions.

2022

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Casino Rama, Rama – 28 May 2022
The second of two consecutive nights at Casino Rama, Ontario — show two 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.

→ Paul McCartney live: Camping World Stadium, Orlando – 28 May 2022
The tenth date of the Got Back Tour. The 36-song setlist included Can’t Buy Me Love, Blackbird, Hey Jude, Helter Skelter, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, and The End.

2023

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, San Diego – 28 May 2023
The eighth date of the 15th All-Starr Band’s 43-date 2023 tour and the first of two consecutive nights at Humphreys — one of the most frequently visited venues of Ringo’s career, with appearances stretching back to 1995.

2024

→ Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Yaamava’ Theater, Highland – 28 May 2024
The fifth show of the 15th All-Starr Band’s 2024 tour. The 20-song setlist included Photograph, Africa, Down Under, and Give Peace A Chance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on 28 May in Beatles history?

Key events include the Silver Beetles performing in Peterhead on their Scottish tour (1960), the Beatles at Brian Epstein’s Kingsley Hill party (1967), Glyn Johns completing the Get Back master tape (1969), George Harrison recording Wah-Wah and My Sweet Lord at Abbey Road (1970), John Lennon’s final Imagine backing track session (1971), and McCartney’s on-stage proposal moment at the Echo Arena, Liverpool (2015).

What happened on 28 May 1967?

The Beatles attended a party at Brian Epstein’s country house, Kingsley Hill in East Sussex — one of the last such gatherings before Epstein’s death on 27 August 1967, and just days before the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on 1 June 1967.

What was the Get Back album?

An unreleased version of what became Let It Be, compiled by Glyn Johns from the January 1969 sessions. The master tape was completed on 28 May 1969 at Olympic Sound Studios but rejected by the Beatles. Phil Spector’s version was released as Let It Be in May 1970. Johns’ original was finally released officially in 2024.

What was recorded on 28 May 1971?

Oh My Love (20 takes) and Gimme Some Truth (final vocals and George Harrison’s slide guitar solo) at Ascot Sound Studios — the final day of backing track recording for Imagine. The album cover was also photographed that day at Tittenhurst Park.

What happened at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool show on 28 May 2015?

During Can’t Buy Me Love at the Echo Arena, fan Fabrice Gueho proposed to Diane McEvoy on stage after holding up a sign. McCartney told the crowd: “If I was you, love, I’d get him to ask you again in the morning when he’s not pissed!” The couple had met in Liverpool and bonded over The Beatles.

What is the connection between 28 May 2016 and McCartney III?

A soundcheck jam at the Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf on 28 May 2016 became the basis for Slidin’ on McCartney’s 2020 lockdown album McCartney III. The soundcheck recording was released as a bonus track on some versions of the album.

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