London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Apr 02, 2026

The Beatles: Rare notebook containing handwritten 'Hey Jude' lyrics to go on display

The Beatles: Rare notebook containing handwritten 'Hey Jude' lyrics to go on display

A rare notebook featuring handwritten lyrics and recording notes from hit songs by The Beatles is set to go on display at a museum in Liverpool, England.

Collated from 1967 to 1968, the previously unseen notebook contains preliminary handwritten lyrics for "Hey Jude" by Paul McCartney, a part-lyric for "Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band," and George Harrison's recording notes for "All You Need Is Love."

It contains doodles by all four members -- John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star -- and reveals some of the inspiration behind the seminal rock band's 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," as well as their self-titled record "The Beatles" released a year later.

The notebook contains Paul McCartney's handwritten draft lyrics to the 1968 song "Hey Jude."


The notebook belonged to the group's tour manager Mal Evans, according to a press statement from The Beatles Story museum, where the notebook will be exhibited from February 2022.

Mal Evans' widow, Lily Evans, put the notebook up for auction at Sotheby's in 1998, over two decades after her husband's death in 1976. It was sold to Liverpool businessman Alan Murphy for £100,000, the museum confirmed to CNN.

Born in Liverpool, Mal Evans became The Beatles' road manager in 1963, and was part of the band's "trusted inner circle," the press release said.

The notebook is set to go on display at The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool England.


He appeared in Peter Jackson's 2021 docuseries "The Beatles: Get Back."

Formed in Liverpool in 1960, and breaking up in 1970, The Beatles' legacy far outlasts their 10-year run as one of the world's most influential rock bands.
The award-winning group earned 19 No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits across their career, according to the Grammy Awards website.

They swept the music industry by storm with era-defining album covers, genre-defying records and Beatlemania -- the term coined to describe the fanatical hype surrounding the band.

Band member Paul McCartney has since collaborated with artists including Stevie Wonder, Rihanna and Kanye West.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
UK Housing Divide Deepens as Older Owners Hold Wealth While Under-30s Face Mounting Barriers
London Demonstration Calls on UK to Recognize Iranian Opposition’s Provisional Government
UK Green Party Vote on ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Collapses Amid Internal Disputes and Technical Failures
SNL UK Ignites Debate with Sharp Royal Satire Targeting Prince Andrew and Prince William
EU Proposes ‘Emergency Brake’ to Resolve Deadlock in UK Youth Mobility Talks
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
×