Nearly sixty years ago, all the Beatles needed was some help from their friends for a run-through of their then-new song “All You Need Is Love” on the “Our World” global satellite broadcast. The first live multisatellite production, which reached more than 400 million people around the planet, ended with the Beatles performing the uplifting song along with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Marianne Faithfull, Who dummer Keith Moon and Graham Nash.
The special moment will be officially commemorated on June 25 as part of the long-running fan-led initiative — backed by the group’s label, Apple Corps. Ltd. — to celebrate the song’s message by officially dubbing it “Global Beatles Day.”
The idea to celebrate the band with a special day was hatched by lifelong fan Faith Cohen in 2009, turning into an unofficial vehicle for fans around the world to honor the band every year. In the years since, the commemoration has included tribute concerts, sing-alongs and fan gatherings from New York to Tokyo, Buenos Aires and the Fab Four’s hometown of Liverpool.
With more details to be revealed soon, an announcement from the group revealed that along with online and in-person events around the world celebrating John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the Beatles will release a colorized version of their BBC Our World performance of “All You Need Is Love” free on YouTube. It will be the first time the performance will be available online, with fans able to weigh in and share their reactions in a live chat.
Writing to superfan Cohen this week, Apple Corps CEO Tom Greene said, “More than ever, the message of The Beatles, and of ‘All You Need Is Love’ speaks to something vital for community, connection, and the power of bringing people together. That is what makes Global Beatles Day so special. It asks nothing more than for people, wherever they are, to stop, listen, and share a little joy.”
