September 11 - Beatles Record Their First Single!

Posted on September 11, 2021

Key points

This is an update of my post published on September 11, 2010:

On this day in 1962, the Beatles recorded P. S. I Love You and Love Me Do, which were released later in October of that year as their first single.

The Beatles—pretty much unknowns then, but worldwide superstars later—were John Lennon and George Harrison on guitar, Paul McCartney on bass guitar, and Ringo Starr on drums. Right?

Well, yes, mostly—but for this early session, Ringo Starr played a maraca on P. S. I Love You, and John played the harmonica, not the guitar, on Love Me Do.

Who played the drums while Ringo was rocking out with maracas? Beatles fans might guess Pete Best, who was the Beatles’ first drummer…but actually the drums were played by a session drummer named Andy White!

Note – Andy, Paul, John, and George!

Love Me Do was recorded three times, each time with a different drummer. The first version recorded was drummed by Pete Best before he had been replaced (this version was eventually released on Anthology 1). Ringo drummed during a session a week before the 9/11/1962 session. Producers weren’t totally happy with the drumming, so they hired Andy White to play the drums for the 9/11 session. Apparently the Ringo version was accidentally released as the original U.K. single, but the Andy White version was considered the best (not Best) version, and so it was released on the album and the U.S. single. Note that on this version, while White was drumming, Ringo played the tambourine!

Enjoy listening to Love Me Do and P. S. I Love You.

Celebrate the Beatles!

Beatles songs have been covered by multitudes of musicians in many different styles, so no matter what your taste, you can probably find versions of Beatles songs that you love. Of course, most of us appreciate the originals the most!

You can try out drums and other percussion instruments while listening to music—just tap, shake, or bang instruments or household items along with the song.

Try Karaoke with Beatles songs. Here‘s one song.

Most older teens and adults will enjoy the movie Across the Universe, which uses new remakes of Beatle songs as a soundtrack and for story inspiration. Note: older teens – it’s rated PG-13!