Hard Days Night Shop

11/09/2026

ON THIS DAY IN 1968: The Beatles began recording “Glass Onion”

On 11th September 1968, The Beatles were back in Studio Two at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, beginning work on one of the most intriguing tracks on the White Album.

The session ran from 7pm until 3.30am, with John Lennon on acoustic guitar, George Harrison on electric guitar, Paul McCartney on bass and Ringo Starr on drums.

They recorded 34 takes of the rhythm track. Most were relatively similar in length, but Take 15 turned into something very different — a six-minute jam as the band explored the song in the studio.

At the end of the session, Take 33 was marked as the best version. The Beatles returned to it the following day, when John recorded his lead vocal and Ringo added tambourine.

“Glass Onion” would eventually become the third track on The Beatles — the album better known as the White Album.

58 years ago today, another piece of the White Album was taking shape inside Abbey Road’s Studio Two!

What’s your favourite song on the White Album?

11/09/2026

DID YOU KNOW THE BEATLES’ REVOLUTION WAS USED IN A NIKE ADVERT?

In 1987, Nike did something that was almost unheard of at the time: they used the original Beatles master recording of Revolution in a television commercial.

Before this, famous songs could be heard in adverts, but they were usually re-recorded or altered in some way. Nike’s campaign was different. This was the actual Beatles recording.

And it caused quite a stir!

The rights had been licensed through Capitol-EMI and ATV Music Publishing rather than directly through the former Beatles. Apple Corps subsequently took legal action against Nike, its advertising agency and Capitol-EMI.

George Harrison was particularly unhappy about it.

Speaking in 1988, George said:

“I think it’s a bit of a liberty using the original master.”

He also warned that, unless something was done, Beatles songs could end up being used to advertise everything from “motor cars” to “pork pies”.

The dispute was eventually settled out of court in 1989.

Today, hearing classic songs in advertising is completely normal — but back in 1987, the Nike “Revolution” campaign was genuinely groundbreaking.

And there’s something rather surreal about watching a Beatles classic appearing alongside 1980s Nike advertising.

Have you seen this commercial before? And what do you think — do you think Beatles songs should of been used in advertising, or should the music be left untouched? 🎶

Tell us what you think in the comments.

ALL of the SPORTS clips on this channel can be easily accessed via ...

10/09/2026

60 YEARS AGO TODAY: THE BEATLES’ REVOLVER HIT NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA 🎶

On 10th September 1966, Revolver reached No.1 on the US Billboard albums chart — beginning a six-week reign at the top.

This was The Beatles at one of their most creative and experimental points. From George Harrison's blistering “Taxman” to the revolutionary studio experimentation of “Tomorrow Never Knows”, Revolver showed just how far The Beatles were prepared to push their music.

60 years later, Revolver remains one of the most influential albums ever made and a defining moment in The Beatles' incredible story.

What's your favourite song on Revolver?

Visit us at A Hard Day’s Night Shop, Liverpool — right in the heart of the Beatles’ story — or London Beatles Store, Baker Street for official Beatles merchandise and memorabilia. If you can't get into store, you can also shop with us online.

10/09/2026

A LOST GEORGE HARRISON INTERVIEW — HEARD AGAIN AFTER 62 YEARS

Imagine hearing George Harrison speaking on the telephone just days after The Beatles had taken America by storm.

A previously unavailable interview with George, recorded in February 1964, has been heard publicly again for the first time in more than six decades.

George was just 20 years old when the interview was recorded, shortly after The Beatles’ historic appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. Their first appearance on 9th February had been watched by an estimated 73 million people, and Beatlemania was sweeping across America.

The interview was originally broadcast by WJPS radio in Evansville, Indiana, on 17th February 1964 — but the recording subsequently disappeared.

Its survival is an incredible story in itself. A fragile 78 rpm disc connected to George’s sister Louise Harrison eventually found its way into the hands of musician and Beatles enthusiast Warren Batts, who painstakingly restored the damaged recording.

For decades, only a small number of people had heard it. Now, for the first time, the complete recording has been made publicly available.

Even more remarkably, it was played inside George Harrison’s childhood home at 25 Upton Green in Liverpool, where George lived and where John Lennon and Paul McCartney rehearsed during the formative years of The Beatles.

There may not be a sensational revelation in the interview — but hearing the voice of a 20-year-old George Harrison, speaking from Florida at the absolute height of Beatlemania, is a remarkable piece of Beatles history.

Listen to the rediscovered interview here: https://youtu.be/0F3YXn8nxlw?si=iD7K06JmHOxbsx50

On 17 February 1964, the day after The Beatles’ second appearance o...

09/09/2026

ON THIS DAY: 9th SEPTEMBER

John Lennon’s Imagine album was released on 9th September 1971 in the USA — an album that would become one of the most enduring records of Lennon’s solo career.

More than five decades later, the message of Imagine still resonates.

We’re celebrating one of John Lennon’s most iconic albums with our collection of official Imagine merchandise, featuring classic artwork and designs inspired by Lennon and the album that gave the world its timeless title track.

From T-shirts and patches to badges and collectables, there’s something for Beatles and John Lennon fans looking to add a little piece of music history to their collection.

Official Imagine merchandise available online and in store at our Liverpool and London Beatles Stores.

What’s your favourite track from Imagine?

09/09/2026

A piece of Beatles history is going under the hammer!

A microphone believed to have been used to record The Beatles live at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club on 5th September 1962 is heading to auction in London this October.

The Reslo RBT/L microphone was one of two used by audio engineer Peter Noblett when he returned to the Cavern to record The Beatles, just weeks after their famous appearance there had been filmed for Granada TV.

The recordings were later used as the soundtrack for the footage — meaning this unassuming piece of equipment was there capturing The Beatles at one of the most important moments in their early career.

The microphone is now estimated at £4,000–£8,000.

And it isn't the only piece of rock history being offered. The auction also includes a microphone used by Freddie Mercury on several Queen albums, a Neumann microphone used during sessions with Queen and The Rolling Stones, a Yamaha grand piano played by Freddie Mercury, and a gold record presented to legendary Beatles producer George Martin for Paul McCartney’s 1982 album Tug of War.

The Beatles microphone will be part of Propstore’s Music Memorabilia auction taking place on 1st–2nd October 2026, with a public exhibition at London’s Cumberland Hotel from 24th–27th September.

For Beatles fans, collectors and anyone fascinated by the story of the Fab Four, it’s an incredible reminder that sometimes the most ordinary-looking objects can have extraordinary stories behind them.

Would you have this piece of Beatles history in your collection if money was no object?

And if you're visiting Liverpool, remember that the story of The Beatles starts right here — at places like the Cavern Club and Mathew Street and no trip would be complete without a stop at Hard Days Night Shop, 1 Mathew Street Liverpool L2 6RR.

08/09/2026

Paul McCartney Awarded France’s Légion d’honneur 🇫🇷🎶

Sir Paul McCartney was honoured by French President François Hollande at the Élysée Palace in Paris, receiving the prestigious Légion d’honneur for his outstanding contribution to music and the arts.

The former Beatles star, who was 70 at the time, said: “It is such an honour to be awarded this.”

Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Légion d’honneur is France’s highest national order and has previously been awarded to major international figures including Queen Elizabeth II, Miles Davis, Clint Eastwood and Duke Ellington.

After the ceremony, McCartney travelled back to London by train to perform at an Africa Express show alongside musicians including Damon Albarn.

A remarkable honour for one of the most influential musicians in music history.

What’s your favourite Paul McCartney song? 🎵

08/09/2026

🎙️ THE MONKEES, THE BEATLES & A VERY UNEXPECTED ABBEY ROAD CONNECTION…

Here’s a brilliant little piece of Beatles history you might not know…

Last weekend, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees joined LA radio presenter Chris Carter to celebrate 25 years of “Breakfast With The Beatles” — a Sunday-morning radio institution that has been celebrating the Fab Four on the airwaves for a quarter of a century.

But the really interesting part? 👀

Before Micky Dolenz became one of The Monkees, he was just another young Beatles fan.

He first saw The Beatles on a television at Bob’s Big Boy in Los Angeles — and only a few years later, he found himself at Abbey Road, hanging out with John Lennon while The Beatles were working on one of the most important albums in music history…

💿 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Dolenz later described the experience as bizarre and said he felt blessed.

And there’s another great connection: The Monkees TV show was famously built around four musicians who dreamed of being like The Beatles. The group went on to have three US No.1 singles — Last Train to Clarksville, I’m a Believer and Daydream Believer.

Meanwhile, Chris Carter has spent 25 years keeping the Beatles flame burning on American radio — playing everything from huge hits to rarities, outtakes and solo material.

🎶 25 years. 894 shows. Countless Beatles songs. One never-ending love for the Fab Four.

And perhaps the best way to finish?

Carter ended his anniversary broadcast with the final words of The End:

“And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make…” - "Thank you for having me for 15 years"!

05/09/2026

RUBBER SOUL: THE BEATLES ALBUM THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING 🎸

When Rubber Soul landed on 3rd December 1965, The Beatles didn't just release another album… they changed the rules.

And the ripple effect is still being felt today.

From Brian Wilson, who famously said he didn't think Pet Sounds had bettered it, to Joni Mitchell, who played it “over and over”, the influence of Rubber Soul reached some of the biggest names in music.

• Elvis Costello heard a darker, more grown-up side of The Beatles.

• Roger Daltrey saw it as a major step in his musical journey.

• Grace Slick said it was the album that finally made her take The Beatles seriously.

• Art Garfunkel saw Rubber Soul and Revolver as the model for how an album could become an artistic entity in its own right.

• John Cale said The Beatles were a driving force behind The Velvet Underground.

• Steven Tyler was blown away by how quickly The Beatles had gone from She Loves You to the “trippy” Rubber Soul.

And then there's “Norwegian Wood”… a song that caught the attention of everyone from Joni Mitchell to Steven Tyler — and apparently even annoyed Bob Dylan who reportedly thought it sounded suspiciously close to his own songwriting style — a rivalry that may have inspired his later song ‘4th Time Around’.

Even Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham described Rubber Soul as:

“the album that changed the musical world…”

And you know what? He had a point.

Rubber Soul was the moment that development became impossible to ignore.

Acoustic guitars. Indian instrumentation. More personal lyrics. Darker themes. A completely different approach to the album as a whole.

👇 What's YOUR favourite track on Rubber Soul?

Whether Rubber Soul was the album that changed your view of The Beatles — or you've been a fan since before you could remember — you can keep a little piece of that 1965 magic with you.

🛍 From classic Rubber Soul designs to official Beatles clothing and collectibles, check out our official licensed Beatles merchandise at our Liverpool and London shops.

📍 Hard Days Night Shop, 1 Mathew Street, Liverpool, L2 6RR
📍 London Beatles Store, 231-233 Baker Street, London NW1 6XE — your home for official Beatles merch.

04/09/2026

TATTOOS OF THE DAY — A BEATLES MEMORY FOR LIFE!

Remember Dakota, from our earlier post, who visited our Hard Days Night Shop in Liverpool to celebrate her 18th birthday?

Well, Dakota and her mum decided that their Liverpool trip needed something permanent… and we absolutely LOVE what they chose!

“I Am The Walrus” 🦭
The Beatles Let It Be colourful tribute

Two brilliant Beatles-inspired tattoos and a very special mother & daughter memory from Liverpool. ❤️

And if you're making your own Beatles pilgrimage to Liverpool, come and see us at:

📍 Hard Days Night Shop
No.1 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6RR
Right in the heart of Liverpool's famous Beatles quarter.

And for Beatles fans visiting London, you'll find our sister store at:
📍 London Beatles Store
231–233 Baker Street, London NW1 6XE

Both shops are packed with official Beatles merchandise for fans of every generation.

NOW WE WANT TO KNOW…
What Beatles tattoo have you got?
Drop a photo in the comments — we'd LOVE to see them and spotlight them on our future posts! 📸