That’ll Be The Day: Introduction

“That’ll Be The Day” marks a small piece of music history. Indeed, this was the first recording of The Quarrymen. As we know, The Quarrymen were The Beatles before they had a name change. So, basically, here we have the first Beatles record together with the flip side, “In Spite Of All The Danger.”

In Detail

Release Date: November 21, 1995 (Anthology 1)
Recorded: 1958**
Studio: Phillips Sound Recording Service, 38 Kensington, Liverpool, UK
Track Duration: 2:08
Songwriters: Jerry Allison, Buddy Holly, and Norman Petty
Engineer: Percy F Phillips

**Disputed date: some say the 12th or the 14th of July, 1958, but the true date is not clear. However, it is more likely to be early autumn, 1958. This is because John “Duff” Lowe remembers the band members wearing scarves! But, unfortunately, there is no confirmation of an actual date for this recording, despite those false dates floating around.

Performers And Instruments

John Lennon: vocals and guitar
Paul McCartney: harmony vocals, also the guitar
George Harrison: guitar
John ‘Duff’ Lowe: piano
Colin Hanton: drums

Where To Find “That’ll Be The Day”

You will find it extremely difficult to get a hold of the single because only 50 were created. However, it is on the other album below.

That’ll Be The Day: Background

This historic 78 RPM record, which dates back to 1958, is a very valuable disc, of course. It is the Quarrymen, aka The Beatles, singing a cover version of a Buddy Holly song, “That’ll Be The Day.”

“John did That’ll Be The Day, which was one of our stage numbers, and George played the opening guitar notes, and I harmonised with John singing lead.”
Paul McCartney
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

History shows that the band recorded this song in the studio of “Phillips Sound Recording Service.” In effect, this was the front room of Percy F. Phillips’ home in Liverpool. Then, from the resulting tape recording, a 10-inch shellac disc came into being.

Moreover, from this disc, about 50 copies came into existence, which are remasters of the original. Therefore, the original disc is one of the most valuable records in the world.

That'll Be The Day: Quarrymen record. Beatles single.

Be that as it may, “That’ll Be The Day” and “In Spite Of All The Danger” are now available on the Anthology 1 album. As well as that, their first commercial release of the first ever Lennon-McCartney song is there too. That is, of course, “You’ll Be Mine.”

Take A Listen

So, let us listen to the song in question. Once you do, please consider letting us know your thoughts below. Alternatively, you can use our extensive Beatles Forum.