40 Year Itch: The Red And The Blue

For too many people, "A Day In The Life" and not "Getting Better" is the song they expect to hear following "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds". Here's why. On April 2, 1973 The Beatles released the Red and Blue albums, compilations that would top the charts in the US despite the then shocking $9.98 price tags.  Angus McBean took both photos from the now demolished EMI House. The first in 1963 for Please Please Me and the second in 1969.

The albums were - in part-a response to the bootleg Alpha Omega collection of 60 random Beatles songs that were sold on late night television.

All Killer No Filler? Almost. How did "Octopus's Garden" and "Magical Mystery Tour" get on the Blue album instead of say, "Baby You're a Rich Man"? And where's "Rain" on the Red? Or "I'm Down"? Or "Taxman"? In any case, The Blue Album has sold 15 million copies. The Red Album 14 million.