1963 ~ Part 1

January of 1963 was the month of 'Please Please Me'. "Gentlemen, you have just recorded your first number 1" - words by George Martin after The Beatles completed 'Please Please Me'. He was right. It was released in January 11th, the same day they appeared on the influential show, 'Thank Your Lucky Stars'. The single made the Top 20 at the start of February - and soon peaked at No. 2. Not everyone liked the song. Jimmy Saville on Radio Luxemburg commented, "I hope it pleases somebody. It's a terrible noise."

The Beatles on Thank Your Lucky Stars in 1963



When 'Please Please Me' hit No.1, The Beatles were on their first UK package tour. By the end of the tour, they were closing the first half of the show. On their second tour they 'supported' American starts Chris Montez and Tommy Rowe, but closed the show after the second date. The same thing happened on their third tour when Roy Orbison wisely decided not to follow them. By then, getting The Beatles in and out of the theater each night had became a major operation.

 

John with his son Julian

The first Beatles child was born to Cynthia and John Lennon. John Charles Julian Lennon was born April 8th, 1963 in Liverpool, England. He was named after John, Cynthia's father Charles, and John's mother Julia. John hardly had time to see him, Julian having been born just before their first tour. John's aunt Mimi helped Cynthia for the time being with John gone. John had also made The Beatles manager Brian Epstein Julian's godfather.

'From Me to You' was written on the tour bus traveling between York and Shrewsbury. It was soon seized by George Martin for The Beatles third single. He shouldn't have worried. Being released on April 11th, it spent seven weeks at the No.1 spot.  John Lennon fondly remembered, “Paul and I had decided not to do anything complicated. That’s why we always included words like “me” and “you” in titles. It helps the listeners identify with the lyrics.

 

From Me To You, The Beatles third single

 

April also brought along a few rumors between John Lennon and The Beatles manager Brian Epstein. On an arranged break at the end of April, the two flew to Torrerndris, Spain. Cynthia and baby Julian did not join the duo. This soon sparked relationship and affair rumors.  Brian was openly homosexual, which in England during the time was illegal. On the topic, John Lennon said, “The rumors went around that he and I were having a love affair. Well, it was almost a love affair but not quite, it was never consummated…”. A few months later at fellow band member Paul McCartney’s 21^st birthday at Liverpool’s, The Cavern Club, DJ Bob Wooler teased John about the trip and was beat up by Lennon.

 

BBC was the only national radio and TV broadcaster in the United Kingdom, it was vital for them to get exposure for The Beatles.  After an appearance to promote ‘Please Please Me’ on the Light Program Saturday Club (with 10 million listeners), in May they were given their own Tuesday teatime show, ‘Pop Go The Beatles’. In June, John joined a TV pop show called ‘Juke Box Jury’. Being a display of grumpiness, he voted every record a miss.

The Beatles on Juke Box Jury

(Words: 531)