An Eloquence That Is Ineloquent

From Atlanta, the Beatles and company flew overnight to Houston, Texas, where their plane was swarmed by fans on the runway upon their 2 a.m. arrival. After a few hours of sleep at the Sheraton-Lincoln Hotel, they held a press conference, and then performed two shows at the Sam Houston Coliseum, with John's throat in rough shape.

The next city was Chicago, where John croaked his way through two more concerts at Comiskey Park. BBC Radio's Brian Matthew accompanied the group from New York through Chicago, accumulating material for a Light Programme special, The Beatles Abroad. In addition to interviewing the group at each stop, Matthew spoke with fans along the way. The raw tapes of his New York interviews can be found in an earlier blog post.

Live In Grabblebeebe

The second stop on the Beatles' 1965 North American tour was Toronto, a city they had visited in 1964. Once again, they were playing Maple Leaf Gardens, performing two shows on August 17th. Between the concerts, a press conference was held backstage.

From there it was on to Atlanta, a visit covered in an earlier blog post, where they played Atlanta Stadium on the 18th. As a bonus, here is a montage of farewells from Larry Kane's copious Beatle chats throughout the '64 and '65 tours, including one in Atlanta.

Shea You Love Me Too

The pinnacle of the Beatles' concert career, albeit a distant and lonely pinnacle, was their August 15th, 1965 performance at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York. Before they left the Warwick Hotel for Shea, the Beatles were interviewed by "Lord" Tim Hudson from KCBQ in San Diego.

Opening acts were King Curtis, Cannibal and the Headhunters, Brenda Holloway, and Sounds Incorporated, and the entire show was filmed for a TV special, The Beatles At Shea Stadium, broadcast on BBC-TV March 1st, 1966, and ABC-TV in America January 10th, 1967.

Acting as emcees were various "Good Guy" disc jockeys from local radio station WMCA, who kept the crowd of 55,600 busy with jingle singalongs between acts. Ed Sullivan was actually given the honor of introducing the Beatles' set, and the moments that followed were captured stage-side by WABC, as well as by Jerry G. Bishop, covering the entire tour for WKYC in Cleveland.

Re-raising Kane

As covered in a previous blog post, the Beatles arrived in New York City for their 1965 tour on August 13th, holding a press conference at the Warwick Hotel and appearing on WABC with "Cousin" Bruce Morrow.

As he had in 1964, Miami reporter Larry Kane joined the group on tour in 1965, and he interviewed Paul, Ringo, and George following the press conference. Kane also chatted with roadie Mal Evans, who reminisced fondly about his greatest fights.

August 14th saw the Beatles tape their final performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, at CBS Studio 50, for airing September 12th to kick off the new season:

Shortly afterwards, Larry Kane spoke with Paul in an attempt to quash the latest rumor of his secret marriage to Jane Asher.

Help! Is On The Way

On July 29th, 1965, the Beatles attended the Royal World Premiere of Help! at the London Pavilion. The next day, they were interviewed by Dibbs Mather during rehearsals for their live August 1st performance on Blackpool Night Out:

Meanwhile, America was ramping up for the opening of the film and the Beatles' imminent visit.

United Artists produced a series of radio commercials to promote Help!, with some ads targeting teenagers and others aimed at their parents.

The August 15th concert at Shea Stadium was being hyped by DJs such as Cousin Brucie on WABC and Lee Gray on WTRY, Albany.

Graham & Bernard Webb

From France, the Beatles flew to Italy, performing in Milan on June 24th, Genoa on the 25th, and in Rome on the 27th and 28th. An Italian reporter from RAI interviewed the group, possibly at a press conference in Rome on the 28th.

It was back to France on the 29th, for a concert in Nice on the 30th, then on to Spain on July 1st. They were interviewed by Australian reporter Graham Webb on July 2nd in Madrid, prior to their concert at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. After one last show at a bullring in Barcelona the next night, the Beatles returned to London to rest up for their next big American tour in August.

Tres Bien Ensemble

Paul McCartney began June of 1965 on holiday with Jane Asher in Portugal (where he finished composing "Yesterday"). On the 11th, news of the Beatles being awarded MBEs broke, and Paul was summoned back to London a day early to join his bandmates in a press conference.

The subsequent week was spent at EMI Studios recording "Yesterday" and other numbers for the new single and LP, while John occupied much of his spare time promoting A Spaniard In The Works.

On June 20th, the group flew to France, where they would perform two shows in Paris and two in Lyon. During their stay at the Hôtel George V, they were interviewed by Jacques Ourevitch for French radio. Chris Denning also caught up with the Beatles in Paris, chatting with them about the MBE honors, and talking to a fan on the street. (NOTE: some of Denning's interviews in this blog post are actually from the Paris recording, namely record requests for "Do You Want To Know A Secret", "I'll Follow The Sun", and "Thank You Girl".)

The Walrus and the Gryphon

With principal photography on Help! completed, The Beatles had a chance to relax for a few weeks before setting out on a European tour.

On May 22nd, 1965, John and Cynthia Lennon accompanied Help! director Dick Lester and his wife to the Cannes Film Festival. On the 24th, just before they flew back to London, Lennon and Lester filmed an interview with Merv Griffin for his syndicated US TV show.

At some point during this hiatus, the band assembled (possibly at Twickenham during a post-sync session on May 18th) to record a rather silly interview to promote the movie. United Artists issued the result as an "open-end" recording on a promotional disc.

Lollysicles

Filming for Help! was completed over the first two weeks of May, 1965. From May 3rd-5th, the musical numbers "I Need You" and "The Night Before" were staged on Salisbury Plain. On the 9th, location shots were captured around London, after which the Beatles and producer Walter Shenson were interviewed by Sandy Lesberg.

While they had been in a silly mood during that interview, the Beatles appeared to be stoned out of their gourds on the final day of principal shooting, May 11th. During filming at Cliveden House (standing in for Buckingham Palace), The Beatles participated in a relay race around the grounds of the estate, beating out a team of film crew members.

Visiting the set that afternoon was Buddy McGregor, a DJ from KNUZ-AM in Houston. Buddy announced the race for the benefit of his listeners, prior to conducting a cannabis-laced chat with John, Paul, and Ringo.

Grandma Awards

From April 15th through 19th, The Beatles took a break from filming for Easter weekend, interrupted only by John and George's TV guest spot on Ready, Steady, Goes Live!

Shooting for Help! continued the following week, highlighted by the title song performance on the 22nd:

On the 28th, Peter Sellers stopped by the pub set (seen above) to film an insert for American television. The Beatles had won a Grammy Award for "A Hard Day's Night" (Best Performance by a Vocal Group), and Sellers presented the band with their trophies; the clip would be aired on NBC May 18th.

On the 29th, disc jockey Chris Denning was on hand to stockpile more interviews for his Radio Luxembourg series, The Beatles.

Relativity Cadenza

Capitol Records pressed the "Ticket To Ride" single in the US with label copy reading "from the United Artists release Eight Arms To Hold You". By the time it was released on April 19th, that working title had been scrapped, as George Harrison confirmed to Jerry G. Bishop a week earlier.

The new title song, "Help!", was recorded on the evening of April 13th, 1965, a busy day for the Beatles. It began with filming at Twickenham, shooting the "relativity cadenza" scene in the morning, and then being interviewed for Finnish radio as Victor Spinetti, Roy Kinnear, and Leo McKern performed their roles.

The interviews, conducted by Hilkka Kantelinen, were aired on Kaleidoskooppi, and included chats with director Dick Lester and hairdresser Betty Glasow, now becoming a minor celebrity in the world of Beatle radio interviews.

Around 1:45 in the afternoon, the group took a break and piled into a BBC Radio mobile vehicle to speak via telephone with Keith Fordyce for the 100th edition of Pop Inn. Around this time, they also plugged "Ticket To Ride" with Brian Matthew, on the overseas radio series Top Of The Pops.

Withered Heights

During the week of April 5th-9th, 1965, The Beatles spent their days filming Help! at Twickenham Studios. On the 6th, they received an award from Radio Caroline:

In addition to Caroline's Simon Dee, a DJ from Radio London interviewed the quartet on the film set; here is an interview excerpt with Paul from around this date, discussing the use of music in the movie.

The new Beatles single, "Ticket To Ride"/"Yes It Is", was released in the UK on April 9th, and the group spent the weekend promoting it. On the 10th, they videotaped an appearance on Top Of The Pops, miming to both sides of the disc. The original tape no longer exists, but half a minute was repurposed in a contemporary episode of Doctor Who:

On the 11th, The Beatles headlined the New Musical Express Poll-Winners' All-Star Concert at the Empire Pool, Wembley. The same night, they appeared live on ABC-TV's The Eamonn Andrews Show. In addition to lip-syncing both sides of the new single, they chatted for a full segment with Andrews and then appeared with panel guests Katharine Whitehorn and Wolf Mankowitz.

Acht Arms To Halten You

On March 10th, The Beatles left the sunny climes of the Bahamas, arriving back at London Airport early the next morning.

Two days later, they were back in the air, heading for Salzburg, Austria, to begin shooting ski slope and other snowbound scenes for Help! During their stay in Obertauern, they jammed with the house band during a late-night party at their hotel (see photo above), reportedly to celebrate Assistant Director Clive Reed's birthday.

By March 22nd, they were flying back to London, where the remainder of Help! would be shot over the next six weeks. Sometime around the start of April, Radio Luxembourg presenter Dieter Weidenfeld visited the set at Twickenham Film Studios. Together with his associates Monika and Norbert, Dieter chatted individually with all four Beatles, speaking in both English and German. George even sang and played a bit of a German pop song, while John crooned a line from "Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand"!

Do The Dog, Man!

The parade of American DJs continued to march through Nassau as filming for Help! continued into March, 1965. Murray the "K" hung around for a week or so, taping interviews and hoping for a cameo role.

Fred Robbins of Radio Luxembourg stopped by as shooting wound down on March 9th, recording a bit of audio-verité during a swimming scene. He also talked with George and Ringo at great length for his Assignment: Hollywood series.

Here is a bonus Murray the "K" interview with George, circa 1965 (date unknown), talking about his relationship with Pattie Boyd.

High-Heeled Knickers

After resigning at the end of the North American tour in September 1964, Beatles press officer Derek Taylor had moved to Los Angeles, where he would represent the Beach Boys, Byrds, and other American artists before returning to London to work at Apple in early 1968.

Taylor flew from Los Angeles to Nassau along with Dave Hull, and recorded interviews on the set of Help! for broadcast on KRLA-AM. He also taped a special introduction for his reports, to be used on other radio stations. His lengthy Beatle interviews were conducted around March 3rd; in addition to the band, Taylor spoke with hairdresser Betty Glasow and producer Walter Shenson.

Hullp!

Dave Hull of Pasadena radio station KRLA-AM had interviewed The Beatles extensively during their August 1964 visit to Los Angeles. At the start of March, 1965, Hull flew to the Bahamas to cover filming of Help!

His lengthy interviews (at least partially taped March 2nd) have been released, with all references to Dave's name spliced out, possibly because the interviews were syndicated to other stations for use by local DJs.

Happy BirthClay, George!

February 25th, 1965 was the second full day of filming for Help! in the Bahamas. It was also George Harrison's 22nd birthday, and he celebrated with a party at the Balmoral Club in Nassau.

You can imagine how thrilled he wasn't to have the festivities interrupted by a phone call from an American DJ. Tom Clay from KBLA-AM, Burbank (formerly with CKLW) went to a lot of trouble getting through, battling international operators and a polite but annoyed Brian Epstein. George graciously spoke to Tom and accepted birthday greetings for a couple of minutes before returning to his party.

As Well As Loving

From February 15th-20th, 1965, The Beatles were in EMI Studios recording eleven songs for potential use in their second movie.

On the 22nd, they flew to the Bahamas to begin filming, landing at Nassau Airport that evening where they mingled with American journalists, including familiar faces Larry Kane and Gene Loving of WGH-AM. Loving also spoke with Brian Epstein and a couple of fans.

February 24th was the first full day of shooting, as The Beatles were filmed riding bicycles along Interfield Road. Gene Loving chatted with John, Paul, and George between takes, and also recorded interviews with Brian Epstein, hairdresser Betty Glasow, director Richard Lester, and producer Walter Shenson.

Just Say That I Smiled

On the sixth day of 1965, Murray The "K" phoned London and spoke with Paul and Ringo, who were in the midst of their Christmas Show run. Paul commented on the latest iteration of the rumor that he would be marrying Jane Asher.

Murray didn't think to ask about Ringo's marital plans, but it turned out to be sooner than anyone imagined. Ringo and Maureen Cox were wed on February 11th. The next morning, the newlyweds faced the multitudes briefly; the event was covered in an earlier blog post, but here is an extra bit from a Reuters newsreel. The joining of the Starkeys led fans to speculate on George's matrimonial future.

Eppy New Year

OK, it wasn't exactly Brianmania, but The Beatles' manager did have a high profile in the winter of 1964-65. He even had his own fan club for a brief time! In addition to the publication and promotion of his biography, A Cellarful Of Noise, Brian Epstein began taping inserts for the NBC-TV series, Hullabaloo.

From a studio in London, Brian introduced and occasionally chatted with British acts; on the weekend of December 19th, 1964, he interviewed Dick Lester about plans for The Beatles' upcoming second film. This segment aired in the 5th episode of Hullabaloo, broadcast February 9th, 1965.

Here is a newsreel clip of Brian being interviewed at a New Year's Eve party, looking forward to 1965. And while we're on the subject, here is a vintage recording of Harry Shearer reading an excerpt from Brian's book, from the 1969 KRLA documentary series The Chronicles Of Pop. Picture Derek Smalls reading the passage for added hilarity.

Another Beatles Christmas Show

The Beatles had closed 1963 with a highly successful run at the Finsbury Park Astoria, headlining a Christmas show mixing music and sketches. They weren't exactly anxious to repeat the feat, but Brian Epstein insisted, so Another Beatles Christmas Show was booked for the Hammersmith Odeon in 1964. Also on the bill were the Yardbirds, whose guitarist, Eric Clapton, would eventually form a lifelong friendship with George.

Rehearsals took place in the third week of December, and the show opened Christmas Eve, lasting through January 16th, 1965. During the first week of shows, the Beatles were interviewed backstage by American DJ Paul Drew, and British DJ Chris Denning. The latter was there to gather material for a new Radio Luxembourg weekly series, The Beatles, which would debut on January 3rd. The Beatles' initial contribution consisted of a halfhearted chat conducted while stuffing their faces, and some amusing record requests and dedications.

A Model Patient

On December 1st, 1964, Ringo entered University College Hospital in London to undergo a tonsillectomy. Prior to checking in, he held a press conference, covered by ITV News and Reuters.

Anxious fans were kept apprised of Ringo's status via daily bulletins from Beatles Fan Club secretary Anne Collingham, and the CBC-TV news magazine This Hour Has Seven Days even devoted a full segment to the medical event.

A fully recuperated Ringo talked to ITV News again upon his discharge December 10th, taking a moment to deny rumors of George's secret wedding.

Poetry And Music

Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's sketch/variety TV series, Not Only... But Also... made its debut on BBC2 January 9th, 1965. John Lennon agreed to participate in the premiere episode, reading and adapting selections from his book In His Own Write.

His first contribution was a filmed piece to accompany Moore's reading of "Deaf Ted, Danoota (and me)". Lennon, Moore, and Norman Rossington shot the whimsical footage on Wimbledon Common in the morning of November 20th, 1964.

Nine days later, John was in the BBC Television Centre to tape a lengthy segment for the show. The same trio in various combinations recited "About The Awful", "All Abord Speeching", "Good Dog Nigel", "Unhappy Frank", and "The Wrestling Dog". John also appeared during the show's closing theme song, "Good-bye-ee".

Not Tory?

The Beatles finished recording Beatles For Sale on October 26th, 1964, then headed back on the road.

October 29th found them at the ABC Cinema in Plymouth, where they mingled with the press, including BBC reporter Michael Rinehold. Two nights later, they were at the Gaumont in Ipswich, where they chatted with Anglia TV correspondent John McGregor.

The tour concluded November 10th in Bristol, and the rest of November was filled with promotional appearances for their new single and upcoming LP. TV appearances included Thank Your Lucky Stars, Top Of The Pops, and Ready, Steady, Go! They also taped sets for BBC Radio's Top Gear and Saturday Club.

Cake Canaveral

The UK tour rolled through Scotland from October 19th-21st, 1964, with shows in Edinburgh, Dundee, and Glasgow.

On the 20th, The Beatles filmed a very silly TV interview for Grampian Week, backstage at Caird Hall. Reporter June Shields did her best to keep them on track, as John ad-libbed a couple of "traditional Gaelic airs".

Don't Tell Harold!

The Beatles began October 1964 with a TV taping for the US pop program Shindig, slotted in among several recording session dates for the LP Beatles For Sale and a new single.

The touring machine cranked up again on October 9th with the start of their UK Autumn Tour. On general election day, October 15th, they pulled into Stockton-on-Tees for a concert. At their hotel, a crew from the local Tyne Tees TV series North-East Newsview filmed an interview with the band about the politics of the day, a topic in which they showed obvious disinterest.

Mr. Barry Epstein

Although he had officially resigned as Beatles press officer at the end of the North American tour, one of Derek Taylor's biggest projects was released in October 1964. Taylor had ghostwritten Brian Epstein's autobiography, A Cellarful Of Noise, and Brian made several promotional appearances that month to publicize the book.

On October 1st, as the book was released in the UK, Brian was interviewed on BBC-TV's Tonight by Cliff Michelmore. October 13th found Brian at EMI Studios, Abbey Road, reading extracts from the book for a potential spoken-word LP which never surfaced. Two brief clips from the session tapes were released in 1995 on Anthology 1.

Epstein traveled to the US later that week, and put in an appearance as "Mr. X" on the CBS-TV game show What's My Line? October 18th. Guest Paul Anka recognized Brian and sat out the round, but it didn't take long for the remaining panelists to uncover his identity.

When I Get Home

September 19th, 1964, was a day of rest for The Beatles. They spent the day as guests of American Flyers owner Reed Pigman, on his ranch in Alton, Missouri.

The next morning, they flew from Arkansas back to New York City for one final concert, a charity show at the Paramount Theater. During the flight, KYW-AM reporter Art Schreiber interviewed Paul, George, and Ringo.

On the morning of the 21st, it was time to assemble at Kennedy Airport for the long flight back home to London. ABC News cameras captured the scene as George and Ringo spoke with reporters while signing autographs and waving farewell to fans. Art Schreiber was also present, taping goodbye messages and interviewing Derek Taylor about his surprise resignation as Beatles press officer (following a squabble with Brian Epstein).

The road-weary Beatles arrived at London Airport that night, ready to enjoy a week of recuperation before heading back into EMI Studios to record Beatles For Sale. The month-long tour of North America was perhaps the most grueling they would ever undertake, and certainly the most financially rewarding to date. As Paul noted upon their return, American fans seemed to have a limitless appetite for Beatle music in the summer of '64.

The Ringo Kid

The final new city on The Beatles' exhausting summer 1964 tour was Dallas, Texas. Local radio station KLIF-AM built up anticipation in the preceding weeks with special promotions and jingles.

They arrived at Love Field just after midnight on September 18th and drove to the Cabaña Motor Hotel. That evening, they gathered backstage at the venue, Dallas's Memorial Auditorium, where WFAA-TV reporter Bert Shipp interviewed the cowboy-hat-sporting musicians.

Another press conference followed, leading up to the concert, the last regular performance on the tour. Note that this press conference recording contains an extra 3 minutes of material compared to its earlier posting on this blog.

From N.O. to K.C.

After the chaos in Cleveland, The Beatles were looking forward to visiting New Orleans, home of Fats Domino and Lloyd Price. In their room at the Congress Inn on the afternoon of September 16th, Paul spoke with Art Schreiber, while John chatted with Larry Kane.

After a press conference, the band did indeed get to meet with Fats Domino, but the concert at City Park Stadium was a bit of a circus, with mounted policemen chasing and rounding up fans who swarmed onto the field as The Beatles continued to play.

September 17th had been scheduled for a much-needed break in the tour, but Kansas City Athletics owner Charlie Finley made Brian Epstein and the group an offer they couldn't refuse: a record $150,000 for a single concert at Kansas City Municipal Stadium.

Here's a lengthy and excellent TV interview from the tour, exact date unknown, with The Beatles' suave press officer, Derek Taylor.

Amateur Hour

With the North American tour just five days from completion, Beatlemania finally burst at the seams in Cleveland on September 15th, 1964.

The initial press conference at the Sheraton Hotel was routine enough, and it was followed up by a second media event, with the band meeting WHK radio contest winners. They were also interviewed by Don Webster, host of WEWS-TV's pop music series, Upbeat.

Elsewhere, Derek Taylor and Brian Epstein sat for WKYC-TV's interviewer and expounded on the group's unflagging success. Another TV crew spoke with fans outside the hotel, and with Liverpool Echo correspondent George Harrison (no relation).

The concert, at the Public Auditorium, went as scheduled until the third number, "All My Loving", when a number of fans broke through the police cordon and rushed the stage. Deputy Inspector Carl Bare immediately took matters into his own hands, commandeering the microphone mid-song to announce that the show was over. Four reluctant Beatles headed backstage and registered their disgust to KYW radio listeners, thanks to Art Schreiber who phoned in a live report from the dressing room.

Once calm had been restored, thanks to Derek Taylor's appeal to the audience to behave, the performance continued. But as a result of the "pandemonium", Mayor Ralph Locher banned rock groups from playing at the Public Auditorium.

How Does It Feel To Be Put On?

September 13th, 1964 found The Beatles crossing two more concerts off their list, at Baltimore's Civic Center.

Between the shows, they slogged through another press conference, and spoke individually to Ed Rudy (or rather, someone representing Ed's "Radio Pulsebeat" team, possibly Jay Levy), WWDC-AM's Carroll James, KYW-AM's Jim Stagg, and WFUN-AM's Larry Kane.

From Baltimore it was on to Pittsburgh for a show at the Civic Arena on the 14th, covered in an earlier blog post. Here's a longer version of the fan interviews, and an upgrade of the TV interview, from a WABC-TV documentary, Beatlemania.

A Hahd Day's Night

With assistance from George's sister Louise, WBZ-AM radio produced a documentary covering The Beatles' September 12th visit to Boston, from their 3:30am arrival at Hanscom Field in Bedford through their press conference at the Hotel Madison that afternoon to their concert at Boston Garden.

After the conference, WBZ's Gary LaPierre and Bob Kennedy spoke with three of the Beatles, while Larry Kane chatted with the fourth, John Lennon.

Conch Buy Me Love

After their Montréal concerts, The Beatles were due to fly south to Jacksonville, Florida for two days of rest before their September 11th performance at the Gator Bowl.

Hurricane Dora threw a wrench into those plans, forcing them to fly all the way to Key West, where they enjoyed a couple of relaxed days at the Key Wester Hotel. By the morning of the 11th, they were clear to fly to Jacksonville, where their rooms at the George Washington Hotel weren't quite ready. They had an impromptu lunch of chicken sandwiches while chatting with the press, including reporter Jean Morris (no relation to Boris).

The concert was memorable for the high winds, remnants of the hurricane, and for Derek Taylor's on-stage threat to cancel the show if a certain unauthorized film crew didn't leave immediately. Taylor spoke with Larry Kane on that night's flight to Boston about the showdown.

Elsewhere (on dates unknown), Kane chatted with fellow reporter Ivor Davis and had Ringo say hi to Greg.

Seeing The Bricks

From Chicago, The Beatles flew to Detroit for two shows on September 6th. That night, it was on to Toronto, where they landed at Malton Airport just after 12:30 am on the 7th, greeted by hundreds of fans.

Between shows that evening at Maple Leaf Gardens, a press conference was held, after which a local TV reporter interviewed the band onstage. He also chatted with some of the teenagers who came into contact with the Fabs at the venue.

The entire visit was covered by CBC-TV for a brand-new public affairs series, This Hour Has Seven Days. The segment, aired on the debut episode October 4th, included footage of the concert, press conference, and their departure from Toronto International Airport the next morning.

A Cheap Publicity Stunt

From Milwaukee, it was on to Chicago for a September 5th performance at the International Amphitheatre. Their arrival at Midway Airport was covered by WGN-TV, but wasn't without controversy.

Originally planned for O'Hare, the landing site was changed at the last moment by city officials in an effort to control crowd levels. Unfortunately, some in the media blamed The Beatles for the switcheroo, accusing them of not being fan-friendly. Once they had checked in to the Stockyards Inn, John and an exasperated Derek Taylor gave their side of the story to Larry Kane.

Soon after that, a press conference was held at the hotel in which John, already nursing a sore throat, snapped testily at several of the questions. The concert went off without a hitch, though, and afterwards they boarded a midnight flight bound for Detroit. As the plane waited to depart, freelance journalist Ivor Davis, covering the tour for London's Daily Express, was interviewed by WGN's reporter.

Hi, Doc!

"On September 4, 1964, The Beatles gave a concert in Milwaukee, Stop Number 12 on their first American tour which visited 25 cities, from San Francisco to New York. It was the only time the group appeared in Wisconsin.

Prior to the concert, Harrison, McCartney, and Starr gave a press conference hosted by Barry. Lennon, nursing a sore throat and saving himself for the show, wasn't present.

When a reporter asked whether they were aware of Milwaukee prior to the gig, Starr replied quickly in his Liverpool accent, "I've 'eard of the beer that made it famous!" In response to, "Have you gentlemen given any thought to what you will do after the bubble bursts?" Harrison riposted, "Ice hockey" and McCartney, "Ringo originally wanted to own a string of hair-dressing salons."

Another reporter queried, "Do you yearn for a good haircut?" Harrison said, "No, thank you," and Starr, "Do you?"

Showing the proclivity to question authority that was part of the band's persona, there is sharp criticism of the Milwaukee Police, then led by Harold Breier who became chief earlier that year on March 17.

The Beatles were unhappy because they said after landing at Mitchell Field, police forced them to leave the airport for their hotel through an out-of-the-way gate, bypassing the hundreds of fans who had assembled near the main exit:

Reporter: "We have been told by the police department here that the decision to land where you did was made by your manager in the air."

McCartney (big groan): "Naughty police."

Unidentified Beatles Staffer (possibly Derek Taylor, the group's long-time press contact): "Whenever possible and even when it's almost impossible, The Beatles would always rather land in front of the terminal and be met by the kids who have been decent enough to come there. We never ever make the decision ourselves in midair or on the ground to avoid the fans. Ever."

McCartney: "And actually we were told as soon as we got on the ground today. One of the men from the agency came on board and said the police had said this. So we sent him back again. Go and ask the police chief again if we can just at least drive past the fans, you know, in the car, which is the least we can do. And again they told us, no. And he's a dirty, lying policeman who told you that." "

Source: http://www.fab4milwaukee.com/

Here are brief TV clips of the airport arrival and Lennon-less press conference, and Larry Kane's Milwaukee interview with Paul, at the Coach House Motor Inn.

Indy Rockers

The Beatles landed at Weir Cook Airport in Indianapolis around 1am on September 3rd, flying in from Philadelphia, and checked in to the Speedway Motel. Once they arose that afternoon, KYW-AM's Art Schreiber was invited up to the rooms to chat with John and Ringo. Oddly, there are no Larry Kane interviews from this date, apart from a brief backstage chat with Bill English, singer for opening act Bill Black's Combo.

Their airport arrival, the first of two concerts at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, a between-shows press conference, and the following morning's departure were all filmed by local station WISH-TV for a documentary, Our Fair Beatles, which aired September 9th. Ex-Liverpudlian reporter Bill Aylward also interviewed the quartet following the conference.

You Can't Have That on Tape!

September 2nd, 1964 saw The Beatles visit Philadelphia for a concert at the Convention Hall. Prior to the show, the usual press conference was held (only silent footage apparently exists), and then the band had nearly three hours to kill backstage before performing.

DJ Charlie Murdock of Miami's WQAM interviewed all four Beatles, while Larry Kane from rival Miami station WFUN spent over 40 minutes talking first with Paul, John, and Ringo, then John and Ringo... and then John and Ringo some more. Presumably George was in a "Quiet Beatle" mode.

Ringo For Prez

From August 24th through 27th, 1964, the Democratic National Convention was held at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Lyndon Johnson was the party's nomination, but many fans who showed up at the Convention Center three nights later wore "Ringo for President" booster pins.

British news correspondent Peter Woods had been covering the event for ITV, staying at the Lafayette Motor Inn. When The Beatles checked in, naturally he filmed an interview with the band, on the afternoon of the 30th. WABC also filmed some interviews for a TV special, Beatlemania, probably between the press conference and concert. Meanwhile, another film crew interviewed a "fan" on the boardwalk.

The Beatles had two full days off in Atlantic City, August 31st and September 1st, most of which was spent in their hotel rooms playing cards and (naturally) Monopoly. During their stay, Larry Kane chatted with George Harrison, Derek Taylor, and Neil Aspinall.

And for good measure, here's another undated recording from the tour of Paul plugging Cilla Black's "It's For You".