Category Archives: The Beatles 1970s

McCartney’s ‘Give Ireland Back to the Irish’ banned in Britain 40 years ago today (1972)

(Thursday, February 10, 1972) — 12 days after British paratroopers shot dead thirteen Catholics after a civil rights demonstration in Londonderry in what is known as Bloody Sunday, Paul McCartney’s new single Give Ireland Back to the Irish was banned on British airwaves (it would still be released Feb. 25, 1972).

Lennon, Ono call for withdrawal of British troops from Northern Ireland 40 years ago today (1972)


Video: image from Feb. 5, 1972, at 1:03-1:04

(Saturday, February 5, 1972) — John Lennon and Yoko Ono were among 400 protesters outside the offices of the British Overseas Airways Corporation in New York. Their action is aimed towards the British policy in Northern Ireland, six days after the Bloody Sunday killings.

McCartney interviewed by WCBS-FM 40 years ago today (1971)

(Wednesday, December 15, 1971) — Former Beatle Paul McCartney was interviewed today by by Ed Williams on New York radio station WCBS-FM about his new group Wings and their debut album Wild Life. Also interviewed are Wings members Linda McCartney, Denny Seiwell and Denny Laine.

Ringo Starr appears on ‘Cilla’ 40 years ago this hour (1971)

(Saturday, November 27, 1971, 9:04 p.m.) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr sings the ‘Snowman Song’ with Cilla Black and Basil Brush, the puppet fox tonight during an appearance on Black’s BBC1 variety show (filmed Apr. 27, 1971, in Norway).

Lennon, Ono attend book signing


(note: the video is intermixed with film from Friday, July 16, 1971, at another book signing. Lennon wore a solid dark coat on July 15, and a dark coat featuring small colored shapes on July 16)

(Thursday, July 15, 1971) — John Lennon and Yoko Ono attended a book-signing promotional appearance today at the London department store, Selfridges, for the re-publication of Yoko’s book, “Grapefruit.” It is shown over the song It’s So Hard in the documentary “Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon’s Imagine Album.”

Lennon interviewed for BBC radio

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKbppTWzp5o&

"Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon's Imagine Album" (May 28, 1971 @ 3:19)

(Friday, May 28, 1971) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon is interviewed by BBC radio at his home, Tittenhurst Park, near Ascot, England, during sessions for what would become Lennon’s Imagine album.

Two Beatles breakfast, work on songs

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDhQ56OwDLY
"Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon's Imagine Album" (May 21, 1971 @ :42)

(Friday, May 21, 1971) — Ex-Beatle John Lennon hosts former Beatle George Harrison at his home, Tittenhurst Park, near Ascot, England, during sessions for what would become Lennon’s Imagine album.