1968

Tape copying: Revolution 9

Studio Two (control room), EMI Studios, Abbey Road Engineer: Ken Scott With Ringo Starr having left The Beatles, albeit temporarily, the work schedule for the White Album slowed somewhat towards the end of August 1968.

US single release: Hey Jude

One of The Beatles' most successful singles, Hey Jude/Revolution was issued in the US on this day. It was also the group's first on their Apple label, and had the catalog number Apple 2276.

Television: John Lennon and Yoko Ono on Frost On Saturday

John Lennon and Yoko Ono made an appearance on the fourth edition of Frost On Saturday, presented by David Frost, on this evening.

Recording, mixing: Back In The USSR

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott The day after Ringo Starr temporarily quit The Beatles, the rest of the group continued work on the White Album song Back In The USSR.

Recording: Back In The USSR

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott This session, which lasted from 7pm to 4.45am, was most notable for being the day that Ringo Starr quit The Beatles. This took place during rehearsals for the White Album song Back In The USSR.

Ringo Starr quits The Beatles

Tensions had been building within The Beatles for some time during the recording of the White Album. On this day matters came to a head, and Ringo Starr left the group.

Cynthia Lennon sues John for divorce

On this day John Lennon's estranged wife Cynthia countersued for divorce, citing his adultery with Yoko Ono.

Recording, mixing: Sexy Sadie

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott The Beatles finally completed recording Sexy Sadie during this session, which lasted from 7.30pm until 7.15am the following morning.

George and Pattie Harrison return to England from Greece

George Harrison, his wife Pattie and The Beatles' assistant Mal Evans had flown to Greece on 17 August 1968 for a brief holiday. On this day they returned to London.

Recording, mixing, editing: Yer Blues, Mother Nature's Son, Etcetera, Wild Honey Pie

Studios Two and Three, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott This day featured two separate sessions for the White Album, in which two songs were completed and two more were recorded.

George and Pattie Harrison fly to Greece

George Harrison and his wife Pattie Harrison flew to Greece on this day for a brief holiday.

Recording: While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott The Beatles returned to George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps during this session, following an earlier attempt on 25 July 1968.

Recording, mixing: Rocky Raccoon

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott The Beatles rehearsed, recorded and completed a song during a single session on this day. It was an unusual feat for the group in 1968.

Recording, mixing: Yer Blues, What's The New Mary Jane

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott Yer Blues was largely completed during this 7pm-4.30am session, which also saw the recording of another song, What's The New Mary Jane.

Recording, editing: Sexy Sadie, Yer Blues

Studio Two and annexe, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott Following unproductive first sessions on 19 and 24 July 1968, The Beatles finally recorded a satisfactory arrangement of Sexy Sadie during this session.

Recording, mixing: Not Guilty

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott George Harrison finished work on Not Guilty during this session. Despite it spanning four separate recording sessions, the song was left off the White Album and remained unreleased until 1996's Anthology 3.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono attend an Ossie Clark fashion show

The London nighclub Revolution held a series of fashion shows during the 1960s. On this occasion one of them was attended by John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Paul McCartney is interviewed for New Musical Express

On this day Paul McCartney gave an interview to Alan Smith of the New Musical Express, in which he candidly admitted: "The truth about me is that I'm pleasantly insincere."

Recording: Not Guilty, Mother Nature's Son

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott The Beatles worked on two songs during this 7.30pm-2am session: the unreleased George Harrison song Not Guilty, and Paul McCartney's composition Mother Nature's Son.

Recording, mixing: Hey Jude, Not Guilty

Studio Two, EMI Studios, Abbey Road Producer: George Martin Engineer: Ken Scott This 6.40pm-6.30am session began with the creation of new mono mixes of Hey Jude, after it was decided that the 6 August 1968 attempt was insufficient.