Over a month ahead of its UK release, Peter And Gordon’s single Woman was released in the United States. It was written by Paul McCartney, who used the pseudonym Bernard Webb.
The single was released as Capitol 5579 and peaked at number 14 on the Billboard chart. McCartney used the pseudonym to see if he could have a hit single without a Lennon-McCartney composing credit.
Peter Asher was the brother of Jane Asher, McCartney’s girlfriend at the time.
Last updated: 29 November 2011
Also on this day...
- 2012: US publishing rights for six early Beatles songs are sold
- 2011: Gretsch to sell limited edition replica of George Harrison’s Duo Jet guitar
- 1972: UK album release: The Concert For Bangladesh by George Harrison & Friends
- 1969: Get Back/Let It Be sessions: day seven – George Harrison quits The Beatles
- 1968: Recording: Wonderwall Music by George Harrison
- 1967: Recording: Penny Lane
- 1964: Live: The Beatles’ Christmas Show
- 1964: US album release: Introducing The Beatles
- 1963: Live: Grafton Rooms, Liverpool
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1958: Live: New Clubmoor Hall, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
My copy of “Woman” had the songwriting credit, “A. Smith.”
Two US Capitol label variations of the “Woman” single release… Songwriter credit for ”A. Smith” was the first, “Bernard Webb” was the second.
This was released in the US a good month before the UK version was, therefore the Bernard Webb pseudonym was not known to Capitol when they first went to press on this record.