News

Originally released in 2CD volumes in 1995 and 1996, Anthology’s three chronological collections of rare and previously unreleased Beatles recordings include studio outtakes and alternate versions.

The “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” singles, from Anthology, Volume 1 and Anthology, Volume 2, respectively, were completed in 1995 by George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr from 1977 demos recorded by John Lennon.

(This image is the Ticket To Ride/Yes It Is single sleeve. Japan, 1965)

"'Ticket To Ride' was slightly a new sound at the time…

"The mania made it pretty difficult to get around, and out of convenience we decided we were not going to go into the TV studios to promote our records so much because it was too much of a hassle. We thought we'd go and make our own little films and put them on TV…

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Tony Barrow, who passed away at the weekend.

Tony was the Beatles' first press officer and he played an invaluable role in their early career. At a time when the band had a schedule of uninterrupted touring and countless appearances, Tony managed the ceaseless press activity. 
He also fulfilled a multitude of other jobs, from writing album sleeve notes to editing the Magical Mystery Tour strip cartoon book.

With love from all at Apple.

Hulu has secured the exclusive US streaming video on-demand rights to Academy Award Winner Ron Howard’s feature documentary The Beatles: Eight Days A Week (working title). The film is produced with the full cooperation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.  

Details about the film’s international television and streaming partners, and its theatrical and DVD release in Autumn 2016 will be announced soon.

‘Free As A Bird’ video had it’s first public outing on America’s ABC TV on Sunday November 19th 1995, and the track was subsequently aired on BBC Radio 1 the day after – the day before Anthology came out.

Wonfor, the director of the Anthology documentary series, filmed the Beatles recording in the studio and Godley combined this with archive footage of the band, adding some animated sequences as well as film he shot in 1995.

‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ entered the UK singles’ chart at No.8 and the following week it knocked ‘Little Children ‘ by Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas from the top spot, staying there for the next three weeks...

This clip was videotaped in the middle of a six-night run at the Odeon Cinema in Llandudno, North Wales.

‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ was the first Beatles’ record to top both the UK and the US charts. It was also their first to be recorded on a 4-track, as opposed to the usual 2-track, tape machine...

"Most people think of it as a fast rock'n'roll song. I didn't realise it at the time - I just wrote the song because I was commissioned to write it for the movie - but later I knew, really I was crying out for help. 'Help!' was about me…"

Recording 'Mark I' (working title of `Tomorrow Never Knows')(takes 1-3). Studio 3. Abbey Road.

"John showed up with a song after we'd had a couple of days off…

"It was (the second week of April,) 1964 that the British invasion of America was conclusive. The Beatles’ 'Can’t Buy Me Love’ had jumped from No.27 on the Hot 100 to the No.1 spot, in the four places behind it were Beatles' records. It was an unprecedented achievement and it is one that will never be repeated…"

Listen to Mark Ellen and Kevin Howlett discuss the Beatles Anthology, which is now available for streaming worldwide.

This chapter covers the first of the three Anthology collections of rare and previously unreleased Beatles studio outtakes and alternate versions. 

You can find your local streaming partner at thebeatles.com.

thebeatlesanthology‬

Find your local streaming partner at thebeatles.com:

On April 4 at 12:01am local time, The Beatles’ acclaimed Anthology, Volumes 1-3 music collections are available for streaming worldwide.

Originally released in 2CD volumes in 1995 and 1996, Anthology’s three chronological collections of rare and previously unreleased Beatles recordings include studio outtakes and alternate versions.

The “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” singles, from Anthology, Volume 1 and Anthology, Volume 2, respectively, were completed in 1995 by George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr from 1977 demos recorded by John Lennon.

"I like writing books. I got a big kick out of the first one. There was a literary lunch to which I was invited and at which I couldn't thick of anything to say - I was scared stiff, that's why I didn't. I got as big a kick out of seeing that book up there in the writing world's Top Ten as I do when The Beatles get a Number One record. And the reason is that it's part of a different world." - John, from The Beatles Anthology.

Click through to read more about 'The first solo Beatle project'.

"Oh god this is it, a piece of plastic. And this piece of plastic was like gold, you know. You'd sell your soul. You would sell your soul to get on that little record." - Ringo.

Whilst A Hard Day's Night was being filmed - a daunting endeavour for first-time 'proper' actors John, Paul, George and Ringo - George and Paul let off some steam in a fun mock-interview for BBC Radio's Public Ear. George, as the oh-so-serious interviewer, grills Paul about how the film production's going… 

We were sad to hear the news of Sir George Martin’s passing. Our love and thoughts are with his family today. It is impossible to overstate the significance of George’s contribution to the Beatles' music and the strength of his relationship with the band. He was a member of the family. We will always miss and remember him with admiration and love. “If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George” - Paul

What is your favourite memory of George? To celebrate George's birthday, share your memories, photos and videos with the tag ‪#‎ThankYouGeorge‬

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Allan Rouse, who passed away yesterday and in particular Fiona his wife who cared for him with such tenderness and consideration following his illness.

Allan (on right) is pictured here with the engineers at Abbey Road who worked on The Beatles remasters.

Allan joined Abbey Road studios in 1972 and during his time there made an invaluable contribution towards preserving the music and legacy of The Beatles.  He worked on all the releases with extraordinary dedication and loyalty.  

We will also miss his acerbic wit that was actually part of his charm.  Allan did not suffer fools gladly but once you earned his respect he could not have been more co-operative and helpful.

Allan was a true friend of the band and of everyone at Apple, and will be remembered with great affection by those of us who were lucky enough to spend time working with him.

From Paul, Ringo, Olivia, Yoko and everyone at Apple. 

George Fest: A Night To Celebrate The Music of George Harrison is available today! Featuring Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, Dhani Harrison, Norah Jones, Brandon Flowers of The Killers, The Flaming Lips, Conan O'Brien, Ben Harper and more, George Fest is a wonderful live tribute to the life of George.

Get the live album and concert-film at Amazon Music.

Blu-ray/CD | DVD/CD

We asked you to tell us which Beatles lyric speaks to you most this Valentines Day, and to send it as a note to your #beatlesvalentine.

"It was so exciting on the plane, flying in to the airport, I felt as though there was a big octopus with tentacles that were grabbing the plane and dragging us down into New York. America was the best." - Ringo (from The Beatles Anthology)

Click through to hear the famous JFK Airport press conference from when the band had just landed in the United States.

"We were aware that Ed Sullivan was the big one because we got a telegram from Elvis and the Colonel. And I've heard that while the show was on there were no reported crimes, or very few. When The Beatles were on Ed Sullivan, even the criminals had a rest for ten minutes." - George (from The Beatles Anthology)

The broadcast was watched by an estimated 73 million viewers in over 23 million households - a record for US television, at the time.

Click through to watch the band play I Wanna Hold Your Hand on the show.

The Beatles had wild discussions of a Let It Be climax live performance anywhere from the QE2 to the Pyramids, but in the end they decided on what became their infamous final gig - a surprise performance on the roof of the Apple Records building at Savile Row.

Click through to watch Don't Let Me Down.

These rooms provide a quiet haven and support network for artists and crew members struggling with addiction issues and are just one of MusiCares’ many programs available to music people in need. To learn more about their addiction recovery programs, visit musicares.org.

The band are in Apple Studios recording “Dig It”...

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Robert (Bob) Balser on January 4th aged 88.

Bob along with the late Jack Stokes were the two immensely talented Animation Directors on the 1968 film Yellow Submarine.

In 2012 Bob generously gave us his time and expertise as a consultant on the restoration of the original film. A delightful man, he was considered a true friend of Apple.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Cima and all the family.