1966

Recording: Strawberry Fields Forever

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Geoff Emerick With touring behind them, The Beatles retreated from public view to begin work on their eighth album. They were keen to use the studio to its full potential, experimenting with different sounds with the intention of producing their best work to date.

Brian Epstein holds a party for The Four Tops in London

The Four Tops had performed at the Savile Theatre in London on 13 November 1966. The venue was owned by The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, and the backdrop for the performance was said to have been designed by Paul McCartney.

Paul McCartney has the idea for Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Paul McCartney had flown to France on 6 November 1966, and met Mal Evans in Bordeaux on 12 November before flying to Kenya for a safari holiday.

Paul McCartney meets Mal Evans in Bordeaux, France

One week after beginning his road trip across France, Paul McCartney had a rendezvous with The Beatles' roadie Mal Evans in Bordeaux.

Mixing, editing: This Boy, Day Tripper, We Can Work It Out

Room 65, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Engineer: Peter Bown This was the last of four mixing sessions to prepare stereo versions of Beatles songs ahead of the UK compilation album A Collection Of Beatles Oldies on 9 December 1966.

Mixing: She Loves You

Room 53, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Engineer: Geoff Emerick George Martin was not present for this third stereo mixing session for the UK compilation A Collection Of Beatles Oldies compilation, which was released on 9 December 1966, so balance engineer Geoff Emerick oversaw the work.

John Lennon meets Yoko Ono

On the day before her exhibition Unfinished Paintings And Objects was to open, Japanese artist Yoko Ono was introduced to John Lennon for the first time.

Mixing: I Want To Hold Your Hand

Studio One (control room), EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Geoff Emerick This was the second of four mixing sessions to prepare stereo versions of The Beatles' songs ahead of the UK release of the A Collection Of Beatles Oldies compilation on 9 December 1966.

Paul McCartney flies to France

On this day Paul McCartney flew to France on a plane-ferry from Lydd airport in Kent, England.

John Lennon returns to England from Spain

Having completed his work on the Richard Lester film How I Won The War, John Lennon returned to London on this day.

The Beatles turn down a benefit request for victims of the Aberfan disaster

On 21 October 1966 more than 150,000 cubic metres of excavated mining debris, mud and slurry from Merthyr Vale Colliery in south Wales collapsed, engulfing a school in the village of Aberfan and killing 116 children and 28 adults.

NEMS leaves 13 Monmouth Street, London

Brian Epstein's NEMS company had moved from Liverpool to London in 1963, establishing an office at 13 Monmouth Street in the centre of the capital.

Mixing: Paperback Writer

Studio One (control room), EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Geoff Emerick After Brian Epstein told EMI that The Beatles would not be making any new music available for the Christmas market, the record company chose to prepare the first UK compilation of their music.

George and Pattie Harrison leave India

George Harrison and his wife Pattie had flown to India on 14 September 1966 to study yoga and the sitar in Bombay (Mumbai). On this day they returned to England, arriving at London Airport.

John Lennon celebrates his 26th birthday in Spain

John Lennon and his wife Cynthia spent much of September and October 1966 in Almería, Spain, where he acted in Richard Lester's film How I Won The War.

Ringo Starr joins John Lennon in Spain

On 18 September 1966, John Lennon had travelled to Carboneras in Spain to film How I Won The War for director Richard Lester.

Brian Epstein denies The Beatles' split

Despite having been hospitalised the previous month after overdosing on prescription medicine, The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein was forced to emerge from his recuperation clinic on this day to deny reports that Paul McCartney was leaving the group.

Brian Epstein is hospitalised in London

The Beatles' manager Brian Epstein had been suffering from depression and anxiety for some time, a condition exacerbated by his use of drugs - both prescribed and illegal.

BBC interview with George Harrison

The day after he held a press conference at the Taj Mahal hotel in Bombay (Mumbai), India, George Harrison granted an exclusive interview to the BBC.

George and Pattie Harrison hold a press conference in India

On 14 September 1966, George and Pattie Harrison had arrived in Bombay (Mumbai) in India. The purpose of their visit was for George to take sitar lessons with Ravi Shankar, and for the couple to study yoga.