When Did the Beatles Try Acid?

The Beatles first experimented with LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in 1965, during a dinner party hosted by their dentist, John Riley. The party took place on March 21, 1965, at Riley's home in London. During the party, Riley secretly spiked the coffee with LSD, and both John Lennon and George Harrison unknowingly ingested the drug.

The experience had a profound impact on Lennon and Harrison, who described it as a transformative and mind-expanding experience. This event marked the beginning of The Beatles' exploration of psychedelic drugs, which would influence their music and creative direction in the years to come.

Following their initial experience with LSD, The Beatles continued to experiment with psychedelic drugs, particularly during the recording sessions for their album Revolver in 1966 and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967. Their use of LSD and other psychedelic substances influenced the lyrical themes, musical arrangements, and experimental sound effects found in these albums, which are considered groundbreaking works in the history of popular music.

 

How Did the Beatles First Get Airplay in the U.S.?

The Beatles' first breakthrough in the United States came through a twist of fate and a change of heart at Capitol Records, facilitated by the company's executive Alan Livingston. Despite Capitol Records being owned by The Beatles' UK record company, EMI, Livingston had previously rejected all of The Beatles' singles as unsuitable for the U.S. market.

Livingston's most noteworthy accomplishment at that time was agreeing to release The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for Capitol in 1963. This decision came after some persuasion and a reassessment of the band's potential by Livingston and other Capitol executives.

In December 1963, Carroll James, a DJ at WWDC in Washington, D.C., played "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on the air after receiving a copy from a flight attendant who had heard the song in Britain. The response from listeners was overwhelmingly positive, and demand for the record quickly grew.

Upon its release in the United States, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" quickly gained traction and captured the attention of American audiences. The song's infectious melody, catchy hooks, and energetic performance by The Beatles struck a chord with listeners across the country.

To promote the single, Capitol Records employed various marketing strategies, including sending promotional copies to radio stations and arranging for appearances on television programs. However, it was the support of influential radio DJs, such as Murray the K and Carroll James, that helped to generate buzz and airplay for The Beatles' music.

Following the success of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in Washington, D.C., and following the release of the U.S. single in January 1964, other radio stations across the country began playing The Beatles' music, sparking a wave of Beatlemania that swept across the United States. The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 further solidified their popularity and cemented their status as international superstars.

How did the Beatles find Ringo?

The Beatles found Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey) through a series of fortunate circumstances and mutual connections within the Liverpool music scene. Ringo was already a well-respected drummer in Liverpool when he crossed paths with The Beatles, playing with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

In August 1962, The Beatles were in need of a new drummer, as they had decided to part ways with their previous drummer, Pete Best. The Beatles had already seen Ringo perform live and performed with him on several occasions, as their respective bands often played at the same venues in Liverpool. They were impressed by Ringo's drumming skills, his versatility, and his personality.

Ringo's addition to The Beatles proved to be a crucial turning point in the band's career, contributing to their musical evolution and creative chemistry. His distinctive drumming style and affable personality helped to define The Beatles' sound and image, and he quickly became an integral part of the band's success.

 

 

How Did the Beatles Announce Their Breakup?

The Beatles' breakup was not announced in a formal or official manner. Instead, it was a gradual process that unfolded over several years, marked by tensions and disagreements among the band members.

The first indication of the Beatles' breakup came in September 1969 when John Lennon privately informed his bandmates that he was leaving the group. However, the public announcement of the breakup did not occur until April 10, 1970, when Paul McCartney issued a press release to promote his solo album, "McCartney." In the press release, McCartney included a self-written Q&A section where he addressed rumors of the Beatles' breakup and confirmed that he was leaving the band. This announcement effectively signaled the end of The Beatles as a functioning group, although legal formalities to dissolve their partnership continued for several more years.

The breakup of The Beatles was a complex and emotional process that involved personal, creative, and business factors. While there was no official announcement or press conference, the band members went their separate ways, pursuing solo careers and leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest and most influential bands in the history of popular music.

 

The Beatles - The Decca Audition (2024 Stereo Remix)

The Beatles' pivotal audition for Decca Records on January 1, 1962, marked a significant moment in music history, despite the outcome initially being a rejection. A&R representative Mike Smith, inspired by their performance at the Cavern, arranged the audition. The group, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best, traveled from Liverpool to London for the session.

The audition, scheduled for 11 am, faced delays as Smith arrived late and insisted on using Decca's amplifiers rather than The Beatles' own equipment. The group recorded 15 songs in roughly an hour, including three Lennon-McCartney originals. Although nerves affected their performance, they were confident it would lead to a contract.

However, Decca opted for Brian Poole and the Tremeloes instead, citing guitar groups as passé. This decision, attributed to Dick Rowe, later known as "the man who turned down The Beatles," became infamous. Epstein's persistence led to further negotiations with Decca, including a promise to buy 3,000 copies of any Beatles single released, but to no avail.

Despite the rejection, the audition tapes proved fortuitous. They provided Epstein with high-quality recordings to shop around other labels, eventually leading to an audition at Abbey Road with George Martin at Parlophone. This pivotal encounter ultimately propelled The Beatles to global stardom.

 

The Beatles - Live in Washington D.C. (February 11, 1964)

The Beatles' first US concert took place at the Washington Coliseum in Washington, DC, on February 11, 1964. The band traveled from New York to Washington by rail due to a snowstorm that had grounded all flights. Upon arrival, they were greeted by thousands of fans at Union Station and gave a press conference before visiting a local radio station.

At the concert venue, they shared the bill with acts like The Righteous Brothers and Tommy Roe, as The Chiffons couldn't make it due to the snowstorm. The Beatles performed 12 songs, including hits like "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Twist and Shout."

The performance had its hiccups, including George Harrison's microphone trouble and being pelted with jelly beans by enthusiastic fans. Despite these challenges, the concert was a success, and CBS filmed the performance for later broadcast in cinemas.

After the show, The Beatles attended a reception at the British Embassy but left abruptly when one guest cut off a lock of Ringo's hair. This incident soured their experience, leading them to reject similar invitations in the future.

 

How Did the Beatles Feel About Charles Manson?

The Beatles had no personal connection to Charles Manson, but they were deeply disturbed by his actions and the horrific crimes committed by Manson and his followers in 1969. Manson, a cult leader, ordered his followers to commit a series of brutal murders, including the infamous Tate-LaBianca killings, which claimed the lives of actress Sharon Tate and several others.

Manson's twisted interpretation of The Beatles' music, particularly songs from the "White Album" such as "Helter Skelter" and "Piggies," played a disturbing role in his delusional belief in an impending race war he called "Helter Skelter." Despite Manson's claims that The Beatles' music inspired his actions, the band was quick to denounce Manson and his cult.

The Beatles were horrified by the association of their music with Manson's crimes:

[Manson]'s barmy, he's like any other Beatle fan who reads mysticism into it. I mean, we used to have a laugh putting this, that or the other in, in a light-hearted way. Some intellectual would read us, some symbolic youth generation wants it, but we also took seriously some parts of the role. But I don't know, what's 'Helter Skelter' got to do with knifing somebody?  

-John Lennon, 1970

Everybody was getting on the big Beatle bandwagon. The police and the promoters and the Lord Mayors - and murderers, too. The Beatles were topical and they were the main thing that was written about in the world, so everybody attached themselves to us, whether it was our fault or not. It was upsetting to be associated with something as sleazy as Charles Manson.

Another thing I found offensive was that Manson suddenly portrayed the long hair, beard and mustache kind of image, as well as that of a murderer. Up until then, the long hair and the beard were more to do with not having your hair cut and not having a shave - a case of just being a scruff or something.

-George Harrison, 2000

Then it got over to America - the land of interpretative people...Charles Manson interpreted that 'Helter Skelter' was something to do with the four horsemen of the apocalypse. I still don't know what all that stuff is, it's from the Bible, 'Revelations' - I haven't read it so I wouldn't know. But he interpreted the whole thing - that we were the four horsemen, 'Helter Skelter' the song - and arrived at having to go out and kill everyone.

It was terrible. You can't associate yourself with a thing like that. Some guy in the States had done it - but I've no idea why. It was frightening, because you don't write songs for those reasons...it all went wrong at that point but it was nothing to do with us. What can you do?

-Paul McCartney (2000)

It was upsetting. I mean, I knew Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate and - God! - it was a rough time. It stopped everyone in their tracks because suddenly all this violence came out in the midst of all this love and peace and psychedelia. 

-Ringo Starr (2000)