Articles




















The Beatles in India

February 19 to March 26, 1968
























































Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman on holiday in Portugal

December 11 - End of December, 1968

What happened for Paul in 1968

From Wikipedia, here is what happened to The Beatles in 1968:

In February 1968, the Beatles travelled to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in Rishikesh, India, to take part in a three-month meditation “Guide Course”. Their time in India marked one of the band’s most prolific periods, yielding numerous songs, including a majority of those on their next album. However, Starr left after only ten days, unable to stomach the food, and McCartney eventually grew bored and departed a month later. For Lennon and Harrison, creativity turned to question when an electronics technician known as Magic Alex suggested that the Maharishi was attempting to manipulate them. When he alleged that the Maharishi had made sexual advances to women attendees, a persuaded Lennon left abruptly just two months into the course, bringing an unconvinced Harrison and the remainder of the group’s entourage with him. In anger, Lennon wrote a scathing song titled “Maharishi“, renamed “Sexy Sadie” to avoid potential legal issues. McCartney said, “We made a mistake. We thought there was more to him than there was.

In May, Lennon and McCartney travelled to New York for the public unveiling of the Beatles’ new business venture, Apple Corps. It was initially formed several months earlier as part of a plan to create a tax-effective business structure, but the band then desired to extend the corporation to other pursuits, including record distribution, peace activism, and education. McCartney described Apple as “rather like a Western communism“. The enterprise drained the group financially with a series of unsuccessful projects handled largely by members of the Beatles’ entourage, who were given their jobs regardless of talent and experience. Among its numerous subsidiaries were Apple Electronics, established to foster technological innovations with Magic Alex at the head, and Apple Retailing, which opened the short-lived Apple Boutique in London. Harrison later said, “Basically, it was chaos … John and Paul got carried away with the idea and blew millions, and Ringo and I just had to go along with it.”

From late May to mid-October 1968, the group recorded what became The Beatles, a double LP commonly known as “the White Album” for its virtually featureless cover. During this time, relations between the members grew openly divisive. Starr quit for two weeks, leaving his bandmates to record “Back in the U.S.S.R.” and “Dear Prudence” as a trio, with McCartney filling in on drums. Lennon had lost interest in collaborating with McCartney, whose contribution “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” he scorned as “granny music shit“. Tensions were further aggravated by Lennon’s romantic preoccupation with avant-garde artist Yoko Ono, whom he insisted on bringing to the sessions despite the group’s well-established understanding that girlfriends were not allowed in the studio. McCartney has recalled that the album “wasn’t a pleasant one to make“. He and Lennon identified the sessions as the start of the band’s break-up.

With the record, the band executed a wider range of musical styles and broke with their recent tradition of incorporating several musical styles in one song by keeping each piece of music consistently faithful to a select genre. During the sessions, the group upgraded to an eight-track tape console, which made it easier for them to layer tracks piecemeal, while the members often recorded independently of each other, affording the album a reputation as a collection of solo recordings rather than a unified group effort. Describing the double album, Lennon later said: “Every track is an individual track; there isn’t any Beatle music on it. [It’s] John and the band, Paul and the band, George and the band.” The sessions also produced the Beatles’ longest song yet, “Hey Jude“, released in August as a non-album single with “Revolution“.

Issued in November, the White Album was the band’s first Apple Records album release, although EMI continued to own their recordings. The record attracted more than 2 million advance orders, selling nearly 4 million copies in the US in little over a month, and its tracks dominated the playlists of American radio stations. Its lyric content was the focus of much analysis by the counterculture. Despite its popularity, reviewers were largely confused by the album’s content, and it failed to inspire the level of critical writing that Sgt. Pepper had. General critical opinion eventually turned in favour of the White Album, and in 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it as the tenth greatest album of all time.

As a solo artist, Paul McCartney became a producer and produced several artists published on the new Apple Records label (like Mary Hopkin or the Black Dyke Mills Band).

On personal matters, he ended his five-year relationship with Jane Asher. He then spent some months with Francie Schwartz, who was offered a role at Apple and was brought into various sessions of the White Album. In September, he recontacted Linda Eastman, who he first met in 1967, and by the end of the year, they decided to get married and create a family.

Last updated on September 27, 2021

Albums released in 1968



Films released in 1968


All My Loving

1968 • For Various Artists • Directed by Tony Palmer


Hey Jude

1968 • For The Beatles • Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg


Lady Madonna

1968 • For The Beatles • Directed by Tony Bramwell


Revolution

1968 • For The Beatles • Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg


Yellow Submarine (Animated film)

1968 • For The Beatles • Directed by George Dunning

Recording sessions in 1968


Recording "Lullaby"

Jan 10, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Yesterday's Sunshine: The Complete 1967-1968 London Sessions


Recording "The Inner Light"

Jan 12, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)


Recording session with Roger McGough & Mike McGear

January 20 or 26, 1968 ? • Songs recorded during this session appear on McGough & McGear (Mono)


"And The Sun Will Shine / The Dog Presides" session

Early February 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on And The Sun Will Shine / The Dog Presides


Recording "Lady Madonna"

Feb 03, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)


February 1968 sessions

Feb 03-15, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)


Recording "Across The Universe"

Feb 04, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 2


Recording and mixing "The Inner Light", "Lady Madonna"

Feb 06, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)



Recording and mixing "Hey Bulldog"

Feb 11, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)


Mixing "Lady Madonna"

Feb 15, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (UK - 1968)


Recording "Step Inside Love"

Feb 28, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Step Inside Love / I Couldn't Take My Eyes Off You


Recording "I'm The Urban Spaceman"

March 1968 ? • Songs recorded during this session appear on I'm The Urban Spaceman / Canyons Of Your Mind


The Esher recordings

Late May 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 3


Recording "Revolution 1"

May 30, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


"The Beatles" (aka the White Album) sessions

May 30 - Oct 18, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution 1"

May 31, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution 1"

Jun 04, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Don't Pass Me By"

Jun 05, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Don't Pass Me By"

Jun 06, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution 9"

Jun 10, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Blackbird", "Revolution 9"

Jun 11, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution 9"

Jun 20, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution 1", "Revolution 9"

Jun 21, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Mixing "Revolution 1", "Revolution 9"

Jun 25, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Sour Milk Sea"

June 25-26, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Sour Milk Sea / The Eagle Laughs at You


Recording "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"

Jun 26, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"

Jun 27, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Good Night"

Jun 28, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Thingumybob"

Jun 30, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Thingumybob / Yellow Submarine


Recording "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey"

Jul 01, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "James Taylor"

July - October 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on James Taylor (Stereo)


Recording "Good Night"

Jul 02, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 03, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 04, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 05, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 08, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 09, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Revolution"

Jul 10, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Recording "Revolution", recording and mixing "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

Jul 11, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)




Recording "Those Were the Days"

Late July 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Those Were The Days / Turn! Turn! Turn!


Recording "Cry Baby Cry"

Jul 16, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Cry Baby Cry", "Helter Skelter"

Jul 18, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Sexy Sadie"

Jul 19, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Don't Pass Me By", "Good Night"

Jul 22, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording "Sexy Sadie"

Jul 24, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Jul 25, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Hey Jude"

Jul 29, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Recording and mixing "Hey Jude"

Jul 30, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Recording "Hey Jude"

Jul 31, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Recording "Hey Jude"

Aug 01, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Mixing "Hey Jude"

Aug 02, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Mixing "Hey Jude"

Aug 06, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Hey Jude / Revolution


Recording "Not Guilty"

Aug 07, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 3


Mixing "Hey Jude", recording "Not Guilty"

Aug 08, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 3


Recording "Not Guilty", "Mother Nature's Son"

Aug 09, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 3


Recording and mixing "Not Guilty"

Aug 12, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Anthology 3



Recording "Sexy Sadie", "Yer Blues"

Aug 13, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording and mixing "Rocky Raccoon"

Aug 15, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Aug 16, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording and mixing "Sexy Sadie"

Aug 21, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Back In The U.S.S.R."

Aug 22, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording and mixing "Back In The U.S.S.R."

Aug 23, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Tape copying "Revolution 9"

Aug 26, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Tape copying "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", "Blackbird", "Not Guilty", "Revolution 9"

Aug 27, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Dear Prudence"

Aug 28, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Dear Prudence"

Aug 29, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Dear Prudence"

Aug 30, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Sep 03, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Sep 05, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

Sep 06, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Helter Skelter"

Sep 09, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Helter Skelter"

Sep 10, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Glass Onion"

Sep 11, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Glass Onion"

Sep 12, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Glass Onion"

Sep 13, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "I Will", "Glass Onion"

Sep 16, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Mixing "Helter Skelter", recording "I Will", "Cry Baby Cry"

Sep 17, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording and mixing "Birthday"

Sep 18, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Piggies"

Sep 19, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Piggies"

Sep 20, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Happiness Is A Warm Gun"

Sep 23, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Happiness Is A Warm Gun"

Sep 24, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording and mixing "Happiness Is A Warm Gun"

Sep 25, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Recording and mixing "Honey Pie"

Oct 01, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Honey Pie"

Oct 02, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Savoy Truffle"

Oct 03, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)


Recording "Martha My Dear", "Honey Pie"

Oct 04, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Mixing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", recording "Long Long Long"

Oct 07, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)





"Post Card" sessions

Early October 1968 to early December 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Post Card (UK version - Stereo)






Mixing "Happiness Is A Warm Gun", "I'm So Tired", "Cry Baby Cry"

Oct 15, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



Tape copying "Yer Blues", "Don't Pass Me By"

Oct 18, 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on The Beatles (Mono)



"Post Card" session - Improvisation with Donovan

November 1968 • Songs recorded during this session appear on Post Card (US version)

Songs written in 1968



Birthday

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Blackbird

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Cosmically Conscious

Officially appears on Off The Ground


Down In Havana

Unreleased song


Golden Slumbers

Officially appears on Abbey Road


Helter Skelter

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Her Majesty

Officially appears on Abbey Road


Honey Pie

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


I Will

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Junk

Officially appears on McCartney


Martha My Dear

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Maxwell's Silver Hammer

Officially appears on Abbey Road



Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)


Oh! Darling

Officially appears on Abbey Road


Rocky Raccoon

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)



Singalong Junk

Officially appears on McCartney


Teddy Boy

Officially appears on McCartney


The Way You Look Tonight

Unreleased song




Wild Honey Pie

Officially appears on The Beatles (Mono)

1968 interviews


I Still Say Beatles' 'tour' Was Entertaining

Jan 06, 1968 • From New Musical Express






Interview for WNDT

May 14, 1968 • From WNDT


Interview for The Tonight Show

May 14, 1968 • From NBC



Interview for The Village Voice

May 16, 1968 • From The Village Voice



Interview for The Kenny Everett Show

Jun 09, 1968 • From BBC Radio 1



Interview for BBC's "Look North"

Jul 01, 1968 • From BBC North region


Andy Gray talks to the Beatles, 1968

Jul 13, 1968 • From New Musical Express


Paul on the next album

Jul 20, 1968 • From Melody Maker


Interview for New Musical Express

Aug 17, 1968 • From New Musical Express




Interview with Radio Luxembourg

Nov 21, 1968 • From Radio Luxembourg


Paul recalls inspirations of LP

Nov 30, 1968 • From New Musical Express

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