Video: 'The Beatles Interview at London Airport - August 10, 1966' (filmed Aug. 11, 1966)

(Thursday, August 11, 1966, morning BST) — The Beatles departed London Airport on a flight to Boston this morning and then onto Chicago on another flight where they would begin their next American tour the following day amid the “more popular than Jesus” controversy. Continue reading The Beatles depart London Airport for North American tour 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 11 1966) →

Video: 'The Beatles at Blandford Street London 08/10/66'

(Wednesday, August 10, 1966) — The Beatles were filmed today as they emerged from a shop in on Blandford Street in downtown London and asked about the brewing “more popular than Jesus” controversy as they prepared to leave for the U.S. for what would turn out to be their final tour as a band.

Video: 'Lennon and McCartney Discuss Their Songwriting Partnership (1966)'

(Saturday, August 6, 1966, 4:00-6:00 p.m. BST) — John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles were interviewed today for the The Lennon And McCartney Songbook radio show at McCartney’s house at 7 Cavendish Avenue in London for broadcast on Aug. 29, 1966, at 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the BBC Light Programme.

Video: 'The Beatles, John Lennon and the More Popular Than Jesus Controversy (1966)' (Aug. 5, 1966 at 5:26)

(Friday, August 5, 1966, afternoon EDT) — Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, held a news conference this afternoon at the Americana Hotel in New York City, hoping to quell a public relations storm following a quote by John Lennon claiming the band was “more popular than Jesus” (click here and here to watch extended clips of Epstein’s news conference). Continue reading Beatles manager Brian Epstein attempts to quell PR storm over ‘Jesus’ remark 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1966) →

Video: 'The Beatles - Yellow Submarine (06, 1966, Stereo Remastered 2009)'

(Friday, August 5, 1966) — The double A-sided single “Yellow Submarine”/“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles was released today in the UK (Aug. 8, 1966, in the U.S.) from the album Revolver, which was also released today. Continue reading ‘Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby’ single by The Beatles released 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1966) →

Video: 'The Making Of Revolver'

(Friday, August 5, 1966) — Revolver, the seventh studio album by British rock group the Beatles, was released today in the UK. Continue reading The Beatles release seventh studio album ‘Revolver’ 50 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 5 1966) →

Video: 'The Beatles, John Lennon and the More Popular Than Jesus Controversy (1966)' (boycott coverage at 0:08-5:26)

(Tuesday, August 2, 1966) — The station manager of WAQY-AM radio in Birmingham, Alabama, urged listeners today to boycott record stores and bookstores that sold music and memorabilia of The Beatles, four days after the American teen magazine Datebook reprinted John Lennon’s claim in a British newspaper that “we’re more popular than Jesus now.”

Video: 'Paul McCartney on David Frost At The Phonograph, 1966'

(Monday, August 1, 1966, 8:30 p.m. BST) — Paul McCartney of The Beatles was interviewed tonight for the David Frost At The Phonograph radio show, pre-recorded “as live” in Studio B15 in London’s Broadcasting House for broadcast on Aug. 6, 1966, at noon-1:30 p.m. on the BBC Light Programme.

(Saturday, July 30, 1966) — “Drive My Car” by Bob Kuban and The In-Men (written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles) peaked at #93 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.

(Friday, July 29, 1966) — The American teen magazine Datebook today republished John Lennon’s remarks that “The Beatles are more popular than Jesus,” which had first appeared in England on March 4, 1966, in an interview for the Evening Standard newspaper by journalist Maureen Cleave.

The republication of the Lennon quote in Datebook would set off a chain of events that would culminate in public bonfires of The Beatles’ records and a public backlash that at times made the group fearful for their lives,