August 1966

KLUE radio in Texas organises a public Beatles bonfire

The controversy over John Lennon's "more popular than Jesus" comments had been growing since late July. A public bonfire was on this day organised by the radio station KLUE in Longview, Texas.

Live: Olympia Stadium, Detroit

The second date of The Beatles' final North American tour saw them perform two shows, at 2pm and 7pm, before a total of 28,000 fans at Detroit's Olympia Stadium. They had previously performed at the venue on 6 September 1964.

Live: International Amphitheatre, Chicago

The Beatles began their 14-date final tour with a concert at Chicago's International Amphitheater, a venue they had previously played in September 1964.

Press conference: Astor Tower Hotel, Chicago

The day after their arrival in America for their final US tour, The Beatles held a second press conference at the Astor Tower Hotel, Chicago. Inevitably it was dominated with questions about John Lennon's comments that The Beatles' were "more popular than Jesus".

Travel: London to Chicago

The day before their final US tour began, The Beatles flew from London Airport to America.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation bans The Beatles' music

In the wake of John Lennon's comments that The Beatles were "more popular than Jesus", the South African Broadcasting Corporation issued a band on The Beatles' records.

US album release: Revolver

Revolver, The Beatles' 11th Capitol Records long player, was issued on this day, three days after its UK release on Parlophone.

US single release: Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine

Three days after its UK release, Beatles fans in the United States were able to buy the group's double a-side single Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine.

Brian Epstein holds a press conference

In an attempt to defuse the controversy surrounding John Lennon's comments that The Beatles were "more popular than Jesus", the group's manager Brian Epstein held a special press conference.

Radio: The Lennon And McCartney Songbook

John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave interviews on this day for a one-hour BBC radio show titled The Lennon And McCartney Songbook.

UK album release: Revolver

On the same day that The Beatles released their double a-side single Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine, their seventh UK LP - Revolver was also issued.

UK single release: Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine

On the same day that The Beatles' album Revolver was issued, Parlophone released the Eleanor Rigby/Yellow Submarine single in the United Kingdom.

George and Pattie Harrison holiday in Devon

Keen to enjoy a holiday before The Beatles left England for their final US tour, George and Pattie Harrison left London for a break in Devon.

Interview: David Frost At The Phonograph

Paul McCartney took part in a radio show, David Frost At The Phonograph, in which the eponymous host interviewed a guest and played records.