Tuesday, June 17, 2025

June 17th, 1965

60 YEARS AGO TODAY:

6/17/65 – The Beatles complete work on Paul McCartney’s standard / classic “Yesterday” … and still have time to record a song featuring Ringo Starr singing lead, “Act Naturally.”

Here in America, those two tracks would be paired together on a #1 Hit Single … in the UK, they were both used as album cuts on the non-soundtrack side of their new “Help!” LP.

Also on 6/17, The Kinks and The Moody Blues shared the stage and made their first live concert appearance in America at The Academy Of Music in New York City.

*****

"Yesterday" wasn't released as a single in Great Britain until 1976, at which time it only went to #8.  Capitol Records was right on the money on this one ... "Yesterday" soared to the top of the charts as soon as it was released, giving The Beatles their 11th chart-topper here in The States.

It was presented as a Paul McCartney tune right from the start ...

When The Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" to promote it, George, John and Ringo left the stage to allow the spotlight to shine solely on Paul.

Here in Chicago, WLS jumped the gun and even listed it as a Paul McCartney single on their Silver Dollar Survey!