On this day in rock history, the Beatles temporarily said goodbye to a key member and then – just a year later – gathered for their final photo session.

Ringo Starr's abrupt departure from recording sessions for the "White Album" hinted at the troubles to come for a group that would officially disband in 1970. He'd been with the Beatles a little more than six years, almost to the day.

Everyone remained active during this brief separation. Paul McCartney took over drum duties for sessions that resulted in "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "Dear Prudence," while Starr – who had repaired to a borrowed yacht off Sardinia – composed "Octopus's Garden." Finally, an apologetic telegram from the others brought Ringo Starr back into the fold, just in time to appear in videos for "Hey Jude" and "Revolution."

It wouldn't last, of course. By the next year, the Beatles – having already gotten almost all of Abbey Road recorded – convened for a photo session that would be their last. A portrait of the four at Tittenhurst Park would eventually be used as the cover of the Hey Jude compilation album in February 1970, just weeks before their split was confirmed.

Watch an exciting recap of the day’s biggest rock anniversaries above, narrated by our radio host Zach Martin. And learn more about these important events by clicking the links below.

News Anniversaries:
Ringo Starr (temporarily) quits the Beatles (1968)
The Beatles convene for their final photo session (1969)

See the Beatles and Other Rockers in the Top 100 Albums of the '60s

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