January 1964

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

These were The Beatles' two final shows for January 1964 at the Olympia in Paris, France. The group's residency continued until 4 February.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

A further two houses in The Beatles' residency at the Olympia in Paris, France, which continued until 4 February 1964.

US single release: Please Please Me

Please Please Me had first been released as a single in America on 25 February 1963 but failed to make an impact. To cash in on the success of I Want To Hold Your Hand and in anticipation of The Beatles' first US visit, Vee-Jay re-released the single.

Travel: Lennon and Harrison fly from Paris to London

To take advantage of The Beatles' second consecutive day off from their 18-night concert residency at the Olympia Theatre, Paris, John Lennon and George Harrison flew back to London for an overnight break. In the evening Harrison had dinner with Phil Spector and The Ronettes.

The Beatles at the George V Hotel, Paris

EMI's German counterpart, Electrola Gesellschaft, wanted The Beatles to re-record the vocals on their biggest hits, She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand, in German. Although The Beatles and George Martin thought this unnecessary, the recording session was originally scheduled to take place on this day.

US single release: My Bonnie/The Saints

Credited to The Beatles with Tony Sheridan, the single My Bonnie/The Saints was re-released in America on this day, to capitalise on The Beatles' growing fame. The single, which had the catalogue number MGM K-13213, reached number 26 on the Billboard charts. It had previously been issued by Decca with the catalogue number 31382, on... Read more »

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

The usual two performances at the Olympia, topping a bill that also featured Trini Lopez and Sylvie Vartan. This was the ninth date of The Beatles' Parisian residency.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

The usual two performances at the Olympia, topping a bill that also featured Trini Lopez and Sylvie Vartan. This was the eighth date of The Beatles' Parisian residency.

Radio: American Forces Network

In addition to their two shows at the Olympia that evening, The Beatles recorded an interview at the Paris studio of the American Forces Network (AFN) radio service, which was broadcast the following day. The interviewer was Harold Kelley.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

Another two shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France, for day seven of The Beatles' 18-date concert residency in the city.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

The Beatles performed two more shows on this day during their Parisian residency. This was day six of the 18-date run at the Olympia Theatre.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

The Beatles performed two sets at the Olympia Theatre on this day, continuing their residency which began on 16 January 1964 and ended on 4 February.

US album release: Meet The Beatles!

The Beatles' first LP on Capitol Records was released while the group were in Paris, just three days after they were told I Want To Hold Your Hand had reached number one in America.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

Unusually, The Beatles played three sets at Paris' Olympia Theatre on this day. They normally performed two shows each evening during their concert residency, which began on 16 January 1964 and ended on 4 February.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

The Beatles' residency in Paris continued with two performances at the Olympia Theatre. This was the third date of their 18-night run at the venue, for which they shared top billing at various times with French singer Sylvie Vartan and America's Trini Lopez.

Live: Olympia Theatre, Paris

This was the second date of The Beatles' residency at the Olympia Theatre, on Paris's Boulevard des Capucines.

The Beatles reach number one in America

Following their first night of performances at the Olympia Theatre, Paris, The Beatles arrived back at the Hotel George V where they were told that I Want To Hold Your Hand had reached number one in America.