October 5, 2012 – Today The Beatles celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the release of their first single “Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You” on EMI’s Parlophone label. The serial number for the release was 45-R 4949.
The Beatles recorded the Lennon/McCartney song “Love Me Do” at EMI Studios on September 4, 1962 with their new drummer Ringo Starr. Producer George Martin was not satisfied with Ringo’s drumming on that day so on September 11, 1962, The Beatles once again recorded “Love Me Do” but this time with session drummer Andy White.
A humiliated Ringo was relegated to playing tambourine for this session and the presence of the tambourine is the best way to distinguish between the two versions.
Here is the Andy White on drums version that was used for The Beatles debut album “Please, Please Me..
Here is the Ringo Starr on drums version (without the tambourine) that was used for the single.
It’s a bit confusing, so confusing that EMI released a 50th anniversary special 45 release of “Love Me Do”, and used the Andy White version and not the correct single Ringo Starr version.
As a result, those copies are being recalled and another 45 release will replace it, making it an instant collector’s item.