(Monday, January 26, 1976) — The Beatles’ nine-year recording contract with EMI expired today — Paul McCartney remained with EMI, Ringo Starr would sign with Atlantic (in the U.S.) and Polydor (everywhere else), and George Harrison would go with his own label, Dark Horse, which was distributed by A&M. John Lennon does not sign a new contract.

EMI’s Bob Mercer later recalled John’s reaction when he was trying to persuade him to renew his record contract with EMI: “He just said that his own feelings were that he didn’t want to have his signature on any pieces of paper. He’d had enough of contracts and so forth.”

(Monday, January 19, 1976) — Promoter Bill Sargent today offered the four former Beatles an unprecedented $30 million to reunite for a single concert in the United States, six years after the famed British rock group split up. Continue reading The Beatles offered $30 million to reunite for a single concert 50 years ago today (Jan 19 1976) →

Video: 'Ringo Starr-Blast from Your Past (1975)' (10 videos)

(Saturday, January 17, 1976) — Blast from Your Past, the first compilation album by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, featuring eight singles, one B-side and one album track released between 1970 and 1975, peaked at #30 on today’s Billboard 200 albums chart for two consecutive weeks.

Video: 'The Tragic & Mysterious Death Of Beatles' Roadie Mal Evans'

(Sunday, January 4, 1976, early evening PST) — Mal Evans, a longtime aide and road manager for the Beatles, was shot to death today by police officers who said he pointed a rifle at them during a domestic disturbance at a rented motel apartment at 8122 West 4th Street in Los Angeles. Continue reading The Beatles’ former road manager and personal assistant Mal Evans killed in armed standoff with police 50 years ago today (Jan 4 1976) →

Video: 'John Lennon Earth News Radio - January 1976'

(Thursday, January 1, 1976) — Former Beatle John Lennon and wife, Yoko Ono, welcomed the new year at their Dakota apartment today with a wide-ranging conversation recorded for a forthcoming segment of Earth News Radio, the syndicated rock-oriented news service hosted by broadcaster Elliot Mintz. Continue reading Ex-Beatle John Lennon shares intimate New Year reflections in Mintz interview 50 years ago today (Jan 1 1976) →

Video: 'Venus And Mars/Rock Show (2014 Remaster)'

(Saturday, December 13, 1975) — “Venus and Mars”/”Rock Show” by (former Beatle Paul McCartney and) Wings, the third single from the group’s album Venus and Mars, peaks at #12 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Venus and Mars/Rock Show’ by Wings peaks at #12 in USA 50 years ago today (Dec 13 1975) →

Video: 'John Lennon interviews an infantile Sean Ono Lennon'

(Thursday, December 11, 1975) — John Lennon turned an ordinary December evening into an unexpectedly tender broadcast moment tonight (perhaps early the following morning) as he recorded a light-hearted contribution for a WNEW holiday program — and conducted what may be New York’s youngest on-air interview. Continue reading Lennon records playful ‘interview’ with infant son for WNEW holiday special 50 years ago today (Dec 11 1975) →

Video: 'George Harrison Rarities Disc 1 Track 17 - This Guitar (Can’t Keep From Crying) (45 Edit)'

(Monday, December 8, 1975) — The single “This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying)“/”Maya Love” by ex-Beatle George Harrison was released today in the U.S. (Feb. 6, 1976, in the UK), the second single from his album Extra Texture (Read All About It). Continue reading George Harrison releases ‘This Guitar (Can’t Keep from Crying)’/’Maya Love’ single 50 years ago today (Dec 8 1975) →