January
George flys to Bombay to record the "Wonderwall" soundtrack - one outtake
goes on to become "The Inner Light". The Beatles cameo appearance in "Yellow
Submarine" is filmed at Twickenham Film Studio.
Green Bay wins "Superbowl II" after defeating Oakland 33
to 14.
February
Recording "Lady Madonna" and "Across The Universe". Filming the "Lady
Madonna" promotional film during sessions for "Hey Bulldog".
The Beatles travel to Rishikesh, India for "Transcendental Meditation"
with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
George Harrison celebrates his 25th birthday (25th February).
March
"Lady Madonna" single issued. Ringo and Maureen return to England after
only two weeks in India. Paul and Jane (Asher) follow them home approximately
two weeks later.
April
George and John return to England - disillusioned with the Maharishi.
Memphis, April 4th: Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated by
James Earl Ray.
May
John and Paul travel to New York City to launch "Apple Corps".
John & Yoko record "Unfinished Music #1: Two Virgins". The Beatles record
a series of acoustic demos at George's bungalow "Kinfauns" in Esher. Most
of these would be re-recorded for the Beatles next LP. Sessions for the
"White Album" begin at the end of the month with the taping of "Revolution
1".
The 1968 FA Cup Final between Everton and West Bromwich Albion was
the first to be televised in colour. Jeff Astle won the cup for West Brom
with a goal in extra time.
June
"White Album" sessions continue...
The National Theatre Production of "The John Lennon Play: In His Own Write" opens at The Old Vic Theatre in London.
John Lennon's Art Exhibition "You Are Here" opens at the Robert Fraser Gallery in London.
Paul McCartney celebrates his 26th birthday (18th June). Recording: Don't
Pass Me By; Revolution 9; Blackbird; Everybody's Got Something To Hide
Except Me And My Monkey; Good Night.
Los Angeles, 5th June: Senator Robert Kennedy was shot dead by Sirhan
Sirhan.
July
"White Album" sessions continue... Recording "Revolution" & "Hey Jude".
The Beatles attend the world premier of the "Yellow Submarine" film -
one of the first occasions that John & Yoko were formally seen together
in public.
Paul McCartney and Jane Asher call it quits. Ringo Starr celebrates his
28th birthday (7th July). The Apple Boutique closes it's doors for the
last time. Recording: Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da; Revolution; Cry Baby Cry; Helter
Skelter; Sexy Sadie; While My Guitar Gently Weeps; Hey Jude.
August
"White Album" sessions continue... "Hey Jude" single issued. Amid tensions,
Ringo leaves the group - Paul stands in on drums. Cynthia Lennon files
for Divorce. Recording: Not Guilty; Mother Nature's Son; Yer Blues; What's
The New Mary Jane; Rocky Racoon; Wild Honey Pie; Etcetera (unreleased);
Back In The USSR; Dear Prudence.
September
"White Album" sessions continue... Ringo rejoins the group in time to
make the "Hey Jude / Revolution" promotional films. The Beatles' official
biography (by Hunter Davies) is published. Recording: Glass Onion; I Will;
Can You Take Me Back; Step Inside Love; Los Paranoias; The Way You Look
Tonight (unreleased); Down In Havana (unreleased); Birthday; Piggies;
Happiness Is A Warm Gun;
October
The final "White Album" sessions. Paul, John & George Martin hold a 24
hour session to choose and sequence the tracks for the "White Album".
John is arrested (and fined £150 plus 20 guineas costs) for posession
of cannabis.
Linda Eastman moves to Cavendish Avenue, London to live with Paul. John
Lennon celebrates his 28th birthday (9th October). Recording: Honey Pie;
Savoy Truffle; Martha My Dear; Long Long Long; I'm So Tired; The Continuing
Story Of Bungalow Bill; Why Don't We Do It In The Road; Julia.
The United States halts the bombing of North Vietnam. The Detroit Tigers
(overcoming the St. Louis Cardnals in game seven) are the winners of Baseball's
World Series.
November
The "White Album" is issued - with artwork designed by Richard Hamilton.
George issues the "Wonderwall" soundtrack LP and records "Electronic Sounds"
- his second solo offering. John and Cynthia Lennon divorce. John & Yoko
suffer a miscarriage of their baby.
Richard Nixon becomes the 36th President of the United States.
December
John takes part in "The Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus".
The "Beatles' 1968 Christmas Record" was released, and for the first time,
each band member recorded their messages separately.
The dream was nearly over...
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