Ringo about nails it . . . . . . . THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

Still remember going to the cinema for one of the first times to see this . . . . . . . . . . 

By coincidence today's date feature two Beatles land marks and the both relate to films. . . . The Concert for Bangladesh in 1971 was immensely important and yet the two earlier films were revolutionary too. I recall 'A Hard Day's Night' coming out very clearly and we went to see them whilst on holiday with my maternal cousins in Wales in Porthmadog which had two things one a milkshake bar and secondly The Cob record store still going strong today extraordinarily enough, going to see the Beatles movie was a magical added bonus. It remains one of my favourite films of all time still

On this day in music history: August 1, 1964 - “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, it is the fifth US chart topper for the legendary rock band from Liverpool, UK. More than a month into making their debut film, and despite having recorded nearly a dozen songs for the soundtrack, John Lennon and Paul McCartney still have not come up with a song suitable for the opening title sequence of the film. Inspiration comes from an unlikely source when drummer Ringo Starr, after a particularly exhausting day of filming, leans over a chair and states, “that was a hard day’s night, that was!”. John and Paul compose the song overnight, playing it for film producer Walter Shenson on the set the next day. Shenson and director Richard Lester like the song so much, that they re-title the film after it. The Beatles record the track on April 16, 1964 at Abbey Road Studios, coming up with the songs striking opening chord played by George Harrison (Fadd9) during the session. The US single is issued by Capitol Records on July 13, 1964, and is backed with the track “I Should Have Known Better” (UK and most international releases have “Things We Said Today” as the flip side) as the B-side, recorded on February 25 - 26, 1964. Entering the Hot 100 at #21 on July 18, 1964, it leaps to the top of the chart two weeks later. The week “A Hard Day’s Night” hits number one on the US singles chart, The Beatles also hold down the top spots on the Billboard Top 200 album chart as well as the number one positions on the UK album and singles charts, making them the first recording act in history to achieve this feat. The single wins The Beatles a Grammy Award (one of two they receive that year including Best New Artist) for Best Performance By A Vocal Group in 1965. “A Hard Day’s Night” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

with thanks to Jeff Harris' wonderful blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History  

The Cob Records, Porthmadog

Cob Records

On this day in music history: July 6, 1964 - The Beatles first film, “A Hard Day’s Night” has its world premiere at the Pavilion Theatre in London. With thousands of fans jamming Picadilly Circus in London, the premiere is attended by the band, and members of the royal family including Princesss Maragret and her husband Lord Snowden. Filmed for a modest budget of $500,000, the ninety minute long black & white film (originally released through United Artists), also starring Wilfrid Brambell, Victor Spinetti, Norman Rossington, John Junkin, and Anna Quayle is a fictionalized “day in the life” account of The Beatles’ lives. Written by screenwriter Alun Owen, produced by Walter Shenson, and directed by Richard Lester, the film breaks new ground visually for its innovative camera techniques, jump cut editing style and use of music throughout. Upon its release, it is rapturously received by The Beatles fans and critics alike, breaking box office records at the time. In June of 2014, the film receives its first release in high definition when it is released on Blu-Ray disc by The Criterion Collection, with it being fully restored from the original camera negative and fine grain interpositives. “A Hard Day’s Night” goes on to become one of the most influential rock films of all time.

Meanwhile seven years earlier  . . . . .   

On this day in music history: July 6, 1957 - John Lennon meets Paul McCartney for the first time at the Woolton Village Fete in Liverpool. They are introduced to each other by mutual friend Ivan Vaughn. The then sixteen year old Lennon is there with his skiffle band The Quarrymen, who are performing on a flatbed truck in the church garden. McCartney (fifteen years old at the time) attends the fete at the invitation of Vaughn. Following the bands performance, Lennon and McCartney meet. During this meeting, McCartney sings and plays the Eddie Cochran song “Twenty Flight Rock” (along with several other songs). He also shows Lennon how to properly tune a guitar. Impressed with McCartney’s musical skill, Lennon asks him to join The Quarrymen a short time later and he accepts. The first meeting between two teenagers marks the beginning of one of the greatest songwriting partnerships, and the genesis of one of the greatest rock & roll bands in history.

with thanks to Jeff Harris' wonderful blog 'Behind The Grooves  On this day in Music History