1968 Thursday 1st February
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- BBC1 Television – Ringo Starr rehearses for the ‘Cilla Black Show‘ at Television Rehearsal Rooms, Victoria Road, North Acton, London W3 6HU, Greater London
In early 1968, The Beatles were in a transitional phase following the release of Magical Mystery Tour in late 1967. The group had recently filmed a cameo appearance for the Yellow Submarine animated film at Twickenham Film Studios on January 25, 1968, and were preparing for new recording sessions at EMI Studios starting February 3, which would produce the single “Lady Madonna” / “The Inner Light.” This period also marked the lead-up to their famous trip to India in mid-February to study Transcendental Meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at his ashram in Rishikesh, where they would write many songs for the upcoming White Album.
On February 1, 1968, Ringo Starr rehearsed for his guest appearance on the BBC television program Cilla, hosted by his friend and fellow Liverpudlian singer Cilla Black. The rehearsals took place at the BBC Television Rehearsal Rooms on Victoria Road, North Acton, London W3 6HU, Greater London. Ringo was set to appear on the show, which aired later in the month, performing and interacting with Cilla. This was a light-hearted solo engagement for Ringo, reflecting his growing interest in television and acting opportunities outside the band’s main activities. The other Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison—had no documented group or individual public activities on this specific date, as the focus was shifting toward personal projects and the impending India trip. Paul and Jane Asher, along with Ringo and Maureen, would join George and Pattie, and John and Cynthia in India starting February 15-20.
This date highlights the individual pursuits of The Beatles members amid the band’s evolving dynamics, as they prepared for one of their most creatively fertile periods inspired by Eastern philosophy and meditation.
Top 10 Songs in the UK Charts on February 1, 1968
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde | Georgie Fame |
| 2 | Everlasting Love | Love Affair |
| 3 | Am I That Easy To Forget | Engelbert Humperdinck |
| 4 | Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) | John Fred & His Playboy Band |
| 5 | Bend Me, Shape Me | Amen Corner |
| 6 | Everything I Am | Plastic Penny |
| 7 | She Wears My Ring | Solomon King |
| 8 | Suddenly You Love Me | The Tremeloes |
| 9 | Delilah | Tom Jones |
| 10 | Tin Soldier | Small Faces |
Top 10 Songs in the USA Charts (Billboard Hot 100) on February 1, 1968
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Love Is Blue (L’Amour Est Bleu) | Paul Mauriat |
| 2 | Green Tambourine | The Lemon Pipers |
| 3 | Chain of Fools | Aretha Franklin |
| 4 | Bend Me, Shape Me | The American Breed |
| 5 | I Heard It Through the Grapevine | Gladys Knight & the Pips |
| 6 | I’m Gonna Make You Love Me | Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations |
| 7 | Stormy | The Classics IV |
| 8 | Spooky | The Classics IV |
| 9 | (Theme From) Valley of the Dolls | Dionne Warwick |
| 10 | Sweetest Girl in Town | The Foundations |
Top News Headlines and Events from Around the World on February 1, 1968
- Saigon Execution: During the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese police chief Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executed Viet Cong officer Nguyễn Văn Lém with a pistol shot to the head on a Saigon street; the moment was captured in an iconic photograph by Eddie Adams and broadcast worldwide, significantly impacting public opinion on the war.
- Canadian Armed Forces Unification: The Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, and Canadian Army officially merged to form the unified Canadian Armed Forces under the National Defence Act.
- Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Deaths: Two Memphis sanitation workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death in a malfunctioning garbage truck, sparking a strike that evolved into a major civil rights campaign supported by Martin Luther King Jr.
- Penn Central Merger: The Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central Railroad merged to form the Penn Central Transportation Company, creating one of the largest transportation companies in the U.S. at the time.
- Vince Lombardi Steps Down: Legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi resigned as head coach of the Green Bay Packers (though he remained general manager for 1968), after leading the team to multiple championships.
- Ongoing Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive continued with intense fighting across South Vietnam, including attacks on U.S. Embassy in Saigon the previous day.
Notable People Born on February 1, 1968
- Lisa Marie Presley, American singer-songwriter and daughter of Elvis Presley.
- Pauly Shore, American actor and comedian.
- Mark Recchi, Canadian ice hockey player (Hockey Hall of Fame).
- Kent Mercker, American baseball pitcher (no-hitter in 1994).
- Josh Brolin? (Note: Actually February 12, but close; prominent figures include Lisa Marie Presley as the most notable.)
Notable People Who Died on February 1, 1968
- Lawson Little, American golfer (U.S. Open and British Open winner), aged 57.
- Hugo Benioff, American seismologist (contributions to earthquake studies), aged 68.
- Other deaths: Primarily non-major figures; no highly prominent global celebrities recorded for this exact date beyond sports and science personalities.
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