1962–1966

1962–1966, also known as the Red Album, is a compilation album of hit songs by the English rock band the Beatles, spanning the years indicated in the title. Released with its counterpart 1967–1970 (the "Blue Album") in 1973, the double LP peaked at number 3 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it topped the Cash Box albums chart and peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart while 1967–1970 reached the top spot. The album was re-released in September 1993 on compact disc, charting at number 3 in the UK.

1962–1966
Compilation album by
the Beatles
Released2 April 1973
Recorded11 September 1962 – 21 June 1966
Studio
  • EMI, London
  • Pathé Marconi, Paris
Genre
  • Rock
  • pop
Length62:34
LabelApple
ProducerGeorge Martin
CompilerAllen Klein
The Beatles UK chronology
The Beatles' Christmas Album
(1970)
1962–1966
(1973)
1967–1970
(1973)
The Beatles North American chronology
From Then to You
(1970)
1962–1966
(1973)
1967–1970
(1973)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Blender
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

The album was instigated by Apple Records manager Allen Klein shortly before he was dismissed from his position. Even though the group had success with cover versions of songs, particularly "Twist and Shout", 1962–1966 contains only songs composed by the Beatles. The album omits any George Harrison compositions from the era, such as "Taxman", as the content is entirely Lennon–McCartney originals.

As with 1967–1970, the compilation was created by Apple and EMI/Capitol Records in response to a bootleg collection titled Alpha Omega, which had been sold on television the previous year. Print advertising for the two records made a point of declaring them "the only authorized collection of the Beatles". The success of the two official double LP compilations inspired Capitol's repackaging of the Beach Boys' 1960s hits, starting with the 1974 album Endless Summer.

A deluxe expanded version of the album was released on November 10, 2023, containing new remixes of a majority of the tracks and additional tracks not previously included in the original release.

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