Beatles FAQ

The Japanese leg of The Beatles' 1966 world tour was hugely anticipated in a country where Beatlemania had been growing for over two years. The band had become symbolic of a simmering culture war, with divisions most visible on generational lines. For their part, The Beatles were hoping for a respite from Beatlemania. Japanese fans, they were assured, would be restrained in their devotion. Things did not go according to plan. Notice near Tokyo hotel asking Beatles fans to disperse Eve of Tour threat The first sign of a potential problem came on the eve of their flight. An unsigned telegram arrived from Japan. It contained a cryptic warning:  PLEASE DO NOT FLY TO TOKYO. YOUR CAREER IS IN DANGER. This was the first indication to The Beatles' management of a fierce controversy surrounding the choice of concert venue in Tokyo.  The Budokan Arena was seen by many Japanese as a shrine to their war dead.  For ultra nationalists, allowing a Western pop group to play there...

  "one of the Beatles' most dispensable items". [8] Run for Your Life’ I always hated ... John Lennon Lennon Remembers (1971

   "We started as a little covers band." Paul McCartney

' We started as little covers band' Paul McCartney

George Martin wanted The Beatles to release "How Do You Do It (Mitch Mitchell) for their first single. They insisted on their own composition (Love Me Do).

Until 1968, wives and girlfriends stayed away from Abbey Road whenever The Beatles were recording. 

"We all play on it; i t’s a genuine Beatles recording .  ” Paul McCartney via  Henry Grossman/Wikimedia Commons  and Apple Corps

The Beatles famously brought LSD to public attention. Less well known is that George Harrison became rapidly disillusioned with the drug.

  He was a terrible driver…with bad eyesight. John Lennon's cousin, Stan. John Lennon's Austin Maxi, the last car he ever drove

John Lennon was very short-sighted, but in his teens refused to wear spectacles in public.