On the same day that John Lennon’s comments that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus were first published, The Beatles released the Yesterday EP in the United Kingdom.
It contained four songs from the Help! album: ‘Yesterday’, ‘Act Naturally’, ‘You Like Me Too Much’ and ‘It’s Only Love’.
The Beatles’ 11th EP was released as Parlophone GEP 8948 in mono only, and the cover photograph was taken by Robert Whitaker. Unusually for 1966, each Beatle took lead vocals on a song.
Yesterday entered the UK EP chart on 12 March 1966, and from 26 March spent six weeks at number one. In all it remained on the hit parade for 13 weeks.
Last updated: 25 February 2019
Also on this day...
- 2021: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band to get super deluxe reissue
- 2018: John Lennon’s Monkey Bike is auctioned for £56,000
- 2009: Casting begins for Backbeat: The Musical
- 2009: Liverpool Hope University launches Beatles masters degree
- 1999: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Eureka Municipal Auditorium, Eureka
- 1999: Recording: What It Is, Party by Paul McCartney
- 1996: UK single release: Real Love
- 1969: George Harrison is interviewed for the BBC’s Scene And Heard
- 1966: John Lennon: “We’re more popular than Jesus”
- 1965: Filming: Help!, the Bahamas
- 1964: Mixing: I Call Your Name
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: The Beatles live: Plaza Ballroom, St Helens
- 1962: The Beatles live: Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Aintree Institute, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
It was a clever novelty to have the four songs on the ‘Yesterday’ EP sung by a different Beatle.