The Beatles Bible

The Beatles Bible
The Beatles Bible
  • Home
  • History
  • Songs
  • Albums
  • Discography
  • People
  • Features
  • Books
  • Map
  • Gallery
  • Fab forum
  • Store
  • Subscribe:
  • RSS icon RSS
  • Email envelope icon Email
  • Twitter icon Twitter
  • Facebook icon Facebook
iTunes & App Store
You are here: Home » Beatles diary » 1964 » June » 03 » Ringo Starr is taken ill before The Beatles' world tour

Ringo Starr is taken ill before The Beatles' world tour

3.00pm, Wednesday 3 June 1964 (47 years ago)

In the morning Ringo Starr collapsed with tonsillitis and pharyngitis during a photo session for the Saturday Evening Post newspaper in Barnes, north London.

He was taken to University College Hospital where he was ordered to rest completely. Unfortunately for him, The Beatles were due to begin their world tour in Denmark the following day, and it was too late to cancel.

George Martin suggested they draft in session musician Jimmie Nicol as a temporary replacement.

I was having a bit of a lie down after lunch when the phone rang. It was EMI asking if I could come down to the studio to rehearse with The Beatles. Two hours after I got there I was told to pack my bags for Denmark.
Jimmie Nicol

Between 3pm and 4pm, Nicol and the three remaining Beatles ran through six songs from their current stage set: I Want To Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There, This Boy, Can't Buy Me Love and Long Tall Sally. The rehearsal was not recorded.

After Nicol had left the studios at Abbey Road, John, Paul and George remained behind to record demos and overdubs for several songs in Studio Two.

« Previous post: Recording: Any Time At All, Things We Said Today, When I Get Home
Next post: Recording: You Know What To Do, You're My World, No Reply, Any Time At All, Things We Said Today »
Also on this day...

  • 1966: Recording, mixing: I Want To Tell You, Yellow Submarine
  • 1965: John, George, Cynthia and Pattie attend Allen Ginsberg's 39th birthday party
  • 1964: Recording: You Know What To Do, You're My World, No Reply, Any Time At All, Things We Said Today
  • 1963: Live: Granada Cinema, Woolwich, London
  • 1962: Rehearsal: Cavern Club, Liverpool
  • 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg

Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

Related articles:

  • The Beatles' world tour begins in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Jimmie Nicol
  • George Harrison live at Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen with Delaney & Bonnie
  • George Harrison live at Falkoner Theatre, Copenhagen with Delaney & Bonnie
  • Mixing: I Want To Hold Your Hand

Filed under: People, Studio

Leave a reply

Please note that there may be a delay before comments can be approved for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and/or content. Comments not in the English language may be discarded, and offensive, irrelevant or spam ones will be ignored. For more information please read the full comments policy.
Click here to cancel reply.


  • Latest posts

    • Paul McCartney live at Zócalo de la Ciudad de México, Mexico City, Mexico
    • Paul McCartney live at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
    • Paul McCartney live at Estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara, Mexico
    • Paul McCartney live at Estádio da Ressacada, Florianópolis, Brazil
    • Paul McCartney live at Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil
    • Paul McCartney live at Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil
    • Paul McCartney live at Estadio El Campín, Bogotá, Colombia
    • Paul McCartney live at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay
    • Paul McCartney live at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
    • World première of Paul McCartney's My Valentine videos
  • On this day in Beatles history

    • 1967: Recording: You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
    • 1963: Live: Grosvenor Rooms, Norwich
    • 1962: Live: Star-Club, Hamburg
    • 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg

    Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

  • Twitter updates

  • Things we said today

    • gerry atkins on Live: Odeon Cinema, Southend-on-Sea
    • David on I'm Looking Through You
    • Joe on Chile discography
    • Aldo on Chile discography
    • Casper on Temporary Secretary
  • From the forum

    • Best vocal performances? in The songs
      By meanmistermustard
    • Don't Let Me Down in The songs
      By minime
    • Introduce yourself to the forum! in Getting better
      By minime
    • Just some gratitude... in John Lennon
      By meanmistermustard
    • The "Incredibly Impossible to Derail This Thread" thread in All together now
      By LennonCloset
iTunes & App Store
  • Top Ten Club

    • Fab forum
    • The Beatles' songs
    • The Beatles and drugs
    • The Abbey Road cover photography session
    • Days in the life: The Beatles' history
    • The Beatles' albums
    • Beatles photo gallery
    • The Beatles' rooftop concert (Apple building)
    • Beatle people
    • George Harrison
  • Can buy me love

    The Beatles Bible is run for the love of anything and everything to do with The Beatles. If you've learned something new about the band and wish to show your appreciation, why not make a small donation via PayPal? It'll help with server costs, Beatles books etc...
  • Thinking of linking

    • thebeatles.com
    • johnlennon.com
    • paulmccartney.com
    • twitter.com/paulmccartney
    • georgeharrison.com
    • twitter.com/GeorgeHarrison
    • ringostarr.com
    • applerecords.com
      Beatles Bible logo by Yer Logos/The Beatles In 3D
  • Come together

    This site is in no way associated with or endorsed by The Beatles, Apple Corps Ltd, associated organisations or any members of The Beatles or their representatives. It is intended as a tribute to the greatest group of all time, to try - in a small way - to help introduce their music to new generations of fans.

© 2008-2012 The Beatles Bible. All rights reserved. | Contact us | About this site | Privacy policy

Top of page