Prior to the first recording session for Help! that afternoon, John Lennon passed his driving test in Weybridge, the town where he lived.
Lennon was a notoriously bad driver, and rarely drove himself after passing his test. The other Beatles had learnt to drive previously, and were keen drivers, but Lennon’s confidence was knocked after crashing his car shortly after this date.
He was normally chauffeured to recording sessions and appointments by his driver, Les Anthony, and on the occasions when Lennon did drive, he was often inattentive to other cars and navigated roads poorly.
Last updated: 12 February 2019
Also on this day...
- 2016: Paul McCartney announces first live shows of 2016
- 2015: Ringo Starr live: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, Alabama
- 2015: Paul McCartney performs on Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special
- 2010: The Beatles’ Revolver tops the Vatican’s best albums list
- 1968: Mixing: Lady Madonna
- 1968: John Lennon and George Harrison fly to India
- 1965: Recording: Ticket To Ride, Another Girl, I Need You
- 1965: US single release: Eight Days A Week
- 1964: Rehearsal for The Ed Sullivan Show
- 1963: Live: Ritz Ballroom, Birmingham
- 1962: Live: Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Wallasey
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1961: Live: Hambleton Hall, Liverpool
- 1961: Live: Aintree Institute, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Lol poor John Lennon. I can imagine him reading this and being annoyed.
If John really was as bad a driver as biographers make him out to be, I don’t get how he could’ve realistically passed his driving test in the first place, let alone get his driver’s license.
The photo session shown is in the EMI Studios car park, not Weybridge, Abbey Road Baptist Church and a Londer transport sign can be seen in the background.
A picture does circulate of John in Weybridge.
Cheers Moptop
An additional Photo showing The Beatles at EMI Studios , Abbey Road .
NB Abbey Road Church, London Transport sign, and Abbey Road flats in the background.
https://c7.alamy.com/comp/B4XYRG/the-beatles-pop-group-aug-1967-john-lennon-passes-his-driving-test-B4XYRG.jpg