Following their day’s filming at the Scala Theatre in London, The Beatles recorded a session for the BBC radio show Saturday Club at the Playhouse Theatre.
The group hadn’t given a concert during the whole of March 1964, the first time they had taken such a break from live performances in at least four years. As such, this appearance managed to sound fresh and spontaneous, in contrast to many of the routine appearances they had made for the BBC in recent months.
They performed seven songs, four of which were yet to appear on a Beatles release: ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’, ‘I Call Your Name’, ‘I Got A Woman’, ‘You Can’t Do That’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Sure To Fall (In Love With You)’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
The session took place from 7-10.30pm, including rehearsal time. During breaks in recording, John Lennon gave two interviews to the BBC Home Service radio network. Also present was Melody Maker journalist Ray Coleman.
The edition of Saturday Club was broadcast on the BBC Light Programme on 4 April 1964. None of the songs were included on the 1994 collection Live At The BBC.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Album release: Postcards From Paradise by Ringo Starr
- 2010: Paul McCartney live: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley
- 1978: UK album release: London Town by Wings
- 1970: Paul McCartney reacts angrily to a letter from John Lennon and George Harrison, delivered by Ringo Starr
- 1970: Radio: Ringo Starr on Open House
- 1969: George and Pattie Harrison are fined for drugs possession
- 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s lightning trip to Vienna
- 1967: Recording, mixing: With A Little Help From My Friends, Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
- 1965: Filming: Help!
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: The Beatles live: De Montfort Hall, Leicester
- 1962: The Beatles live: Subscription Rooms, Stroud
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.