Altogether Now

Sunday, June 25, 1967, marked the first ever live worldwide satellite television broadcast. Coordinated out of BBC master control in London, Our World included performers from nineteen nations in separate segments originating from their countries. The two-and-half-hour event had the largest television audience ever up to that date: an estimated 400 million people around the globe in 31 countries, including the US.

England's segment featured The Beatles and was transmitted from Abbey Road studios at 8:54 p.m. GMT. I was--of course--watching as they performed a brand new song "All You Need Is Love," composed by John Lennon for the occasion.



Many familiar faces can be seen singing the chorus and helping to send this important message around the world.

In an altogether too fun spoof, the Rutles performed the song "Love Life" as part of the 1978 mockumentary, "All You Need is Cash," which is a must-see for any Beatles fan.



It's very fitting that the song "All You Need Is Love" will be among the first batch of downloadable content for the Beatles Rock Band. Proceeds will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.

---
* The satellites used were Intelsat I (Early Bird), Intelsat II and ATS-1.

** Which puts it at almost 2pm pacific on that Sunday afternoon.