The Beatles October 1964: The Studio Innovation Begins

[00:00:03][music] [music] [music] Yahoo.

[00:00:26]On October 1st, Paul and Jane made a trip to the cinema to see the new James Bond film in London. Meanwhile, over a thousand km away, behind the Iron Curtain, A Hard Day's night was shown in Prague, marking the first time a western pop film had been screened behind the Iron Curtain.

[00:00:43]>> They changed everything and um they opened the whole world. It was all brought by by them, by the Beatles.

[00:00:57]The 1st of October also brought the addition of a new member of the Beatles party. Chauffeur Alf Bicknull started working for the group.

[00:01:05]>> John's was the sharpest.

[00:01:09]U George was very subtle.

[00:01:12]Ringo was um more more straightforward.

[00:01:15]And uh Paul would sort of he his sort of humor would slide up along the side of you and it would have all happened before you realized actually what had what had taken place you know but in a crowd with their humor they were like vultures you know and I used to be [music] dressed in the whole livery of outfit you know dark suit tie and the hat suddenly the window opened behind me one day a hand came forward forward and took the hat from the top of my head and threw it out of the window. And as I glanced sideways, I can see this hat gradually disappearing.

[00:01:58]Thought my hat. John leans forward and taps me on the shoulder and he says to me, "Alf, you don't need the hat anymore.

[00:02:10]You're one [music] of us."

[00:02:12]On the second, Brian Epstein's autobiography, A Seller Full of Noise, was published. This saw him feature in a few TV spots over the month, including an interview on the BBC the previous day. This unimposing [music] piece of paper signed in December 1961 was the start of a venture that shook the world of show business. A young unknown Liverpool businessman signed up four rather scruffy unknown lads with no experience of management and with the handicap of being provincial. They crashed into Tim Pan alley in 1963.

[00:02:42]Several hit records and a royal variety show later, Beatle Mania hit Britain.

[00:02:47]Brian Epstein, the man who built the Beatles into a cult is now as well known as they are. And and next week, his book uh called a cellar full of noise is published. And in it, he relates his own personal history. Uh you wrote in this book, we knew that America would make us or break us as world stars. In fact, she made us. I noticed going through the book that you're always referring to the Beatles as us and we you know how much do you identify yourself with them?

[00:03:17]>> Um this is strange actually because in the beginning I was very fierce about the business of um the manager not being um known at all. Uh unfortunately or unfortunately I don't know but it's just happened to me actually. And uh >> was it done? Were you conscious of doing this sort of project?

[00:03:40]>> Not at all. Actually, for a long time, for at least 12 months afterwards, you know, I wouldn't I was careful about even letting my name be mentioned. And uh I believe I was told by a n by a reporter from a national newspaper at the time awkward with my first interview, >> but it it it did happen. But you know, I don't I quite enjoy sort of doing programs and bits of television and things now. I mean, >> you enjoy it, but do you ever envy the Beatles?

[00:04:06]>> No. No.

[00:04:08]>> What don't you envy about them then?

[00:04:11]>> Uh, well, I I you know, I couldn't do what Obviously, I couldn't do what they do. It's it's not my job.

[00:04:18]>> Can I quote from another part of the book? You say, "Though I employ the sort of people who can make wise and honorable decisions, I'm loathed to give them the power to do so." Now, why do you find yourself unable to delegate this kind of power?

[00:04:30]>> I don't know. I've always found this in all sorts of businesses in which I've been connected that uh I am not good at delegating. I've had to delegate a good deal of responsibility now because of um the growth of the number of acts which we handle and so on. But uh I don't find this easy.

[00:04:49]>> How far are your artists governed by your sense of good taste? I mean by that how much do your views influence them?

[00:04:57]I think to a certain extent um >> both in their private life and in their performance >> also to a certain extent. Yes. Um it's difficult to say this because it depends on the artist's concern and it depends how much they bring of themselves or they wish me to bring of myself.

[00:05:16]>> Don't you ever feel that you're in a position of exploiting them? Because a lot of people complain about managers that they are parasitic.

[00:05:23]>> How do you always react to them? I do feel this and I'm I'm very careful, desperately careful not ever to exploit and I think this is terribly important and I was very conscious of this kind of thing when I entered the prison.

[00:05:35]>> Are you still conscious of it now? But you still feel I must not exploit this person.

[00:05:40]>> Yes, absolutely. I still feel that uh even if they don't want to know about a certain contract or a certain fee or something, it's my duty to inform them even though they may throw the bit of paper away on which I tell them. But doesn't this make life terribly uncomfortable for you?

[00:05:56]>> No, not at all.

[00:05:59]>> I think I think many of my artists are conscious of the fact um that I do want them to know what's going on and I do not try to exploit them consciously.

[00:06:10]Anyway, >> well, you certainly produced a full of noise. Brian Epstein, thank you very much indeed.

[00:06:14]>> Thank you.

[00:06:16]Also on the 2nd of October, the Beatles began rehearsals for their appearance on the television program Shindig, which they would film the following day.

[00:06:26]>> Phenomenon of the century. The Beatles.

[00:06:29]>> I'm a loser and I'm not what I appear to be.

[00:06:36]No, >> forgot the word. [music] I can't [music] >> the next one.

[00:06:59]Yeah.

[00:07:23]>> On the 4th, they headed to Hide Park for a photo shoot for their upcoming album.

[00:07:28]This was the one taken in the park uh in half an hour at the end of the day. I say half an hour because that's all I had for the light. The sun is going down. I knew that this was the what they call the magic hour photographically when you get that warm light. I used a telephoto lens. Kept it wide open so the background would go out of focus. So, it was a risky shot handheld done in a very short period of time. After I'd taken the photograph, I saw the autumn leaves on the ground cuz we're now in October.

[00:08:07]So, although it looks warm as an image, uh they had to wear overcoats to keep warm. I saw these autumn leaves on the ground and decide to climb a tree and get a shot of them down from the tree looking down with the autumn leaves in the background. This in black and white ends the book, but it was used as a cover in color for an album called Early Beatles Hits in America. [music] >> That is a rather nice cover. That's Robert Freeman. Nice photos. We showed up in Pied Park near the Albert Memorial and was quite impressed by George's hair there. Marvelous little turnip top. We managed [music] to create.

[00:08:51]>> On October 6th, they headed to EMI to record a new song called 8 Days a Week.

[00:08:57]>> Just go through it anyway if it makes like [music] make mistakes to just to practice it. 8 Days a Week was a landmark recording in that it was the first time the Beatles took an unfinished idea into the studio and experimented with different ways of recording it.

[00:09:12]Although it was to become the first pop song to feature a faded up introduction, the session tapes revealed that this was not the original plan. Take one was played straight, no frrills on acoustic guitar.

[00:09:26]On take two, John and Paul introduced a set of harmonies that climbed the scale to precede the first guitar strum. On take three, they merged the first two ideas, rising harmonies and acoustic guitar.

[00:09:38]On take four, the harmonies were altered to remain on the same pitch throughout rather than climbing the register.

[00:09:45]Also, in between takes, John struck gold, playing a guitar riff that was put in their back pocket to be used for a future song.

[00:09:55]I used to go out to John's house in Waybridge uh to write songs and at that particular time I had been uh busted for speeding so I had to have a driver to take me out there and we were chatting on the way. I remember saying to the guy, "Well, how have you been? You know, you've been busy." And he said, "Oh yeah, mate." He said, "I've been working eight days a week." And then went into John's house and said, "Right, I've got the title. Eight days a week." and we wrote it there. And then >> after completing eight days a week, John, Paul, and Ringo went to the AdLib Club where they spent the evening with Sil Black, MC Jagger, and the Reetses.

[00:10:35]On the 7th, the boys had a huge photo session for Fabulous Magazine. They were photographed by Bill Francis and Robert Whitaker.

[00:10:44]Fabulous magazine editor Unity Hall has described the extreme secrecy that went into the session.

[00:10:50]She also said that she nearly fell off her chair when Tony Barrow called up suggesting that the Beatles were available for a photo session.

[00:10:58]He said, "We thought it would be a good Christmas present for you."

[00:11:03]She said they booked the most private studio possible, ordered boxes of Coca-Cola and champagne as well as sausages and sandwiches. They even had a Christmas cake and tree. The Beatles ended up arriving an hour late and were exhausted, likely hung over from the previous night at the AdLib Club. Ringo went into the corner and sat down, looking into space. He said he was tired. John collapsed on the nearest chair and asked, "Is there any milk and give me two apples and a banana?"

[00:11:32]George poured himself a Coca-Cola. And Paul, clearly the most energetic, walked around saying hello to everyone who was around. that he went to the far end of the studio where he began to help the photographer install the scenery.

[00:11:46]The next day, while walking around St. John's Wood before their session at EMI, Paul began writing a new song, She's a Woman. He then kept working on it at home before leaving for the studio with a new song almost fully formed.

[00:12:02]Both the afternoon and evening sessions were entirely devoted to finishing off the lyrics and then recording She's a Woman for the next single.

[00:12:10]>> Well, we're going to [music] record for 4 days. We may get an album and a new single out of it with any luck.

[00:12:15]>> I didn't know that when we were playing the cabin that we'd be on the variety performance and after that all the papers said, "Well, what what's left for them?" So then we went to America and said, "What's left for him then?" You know, then we got into making better albums and stuff. I used to play them, you know, the first four albums, one up the just to see the progression musically. And it was interesting. I mean, you could hear the progression as we learned that recording, as the techniques got refined and everything like that. You could hear it.

[00:12:43]>> In London on the 9th, two missing girls from Cleveland were found. They had snuck off to London in hopes of meeting the Beatles.

[00:12:51]>> And you were a huge fan.

[00:12:52]>> Huge fan from the very beginning. Yeah.

[00:12:54]>> And so the the concert gets shut down.

[00:12:56]And I mean, what did you even think was going on at the time? Well, I knew what was going on because all these crazy girls mostly were just like rushing down the aisles and I was devastated thinking, "How could you be doing this?

[00:13:09]You're ruining the whole concert we worked so hard to get to."

[00:13:12]>> Right. It was pandemonium and it was in the middle of the third song that the Beatles were singing and then it was just shut down, you know, and then there was a lot of t taking the Beatles off the stage and pulling George off the stage and then coming back on the stage, you know, they got everything settled down.

[00:13:30]>> Um Harry Martin from Martin and Howard radio show, he and Specs came out on the stage and they got everybody to promise to take their seats. [laughter] >> We need to behave, right? So after all that, that's when this kind of is that when the kind of the inspiration hit to kind of go.

[00:13:46]>> No, the inspiration hit the very first time I heard I Want to Hold Your Hand Radio.

[00:13:50]>> So even before you saw them live, >> December 26, 1963. That was when I first heard I Want to Hold Your Hand when Jerry G was playing it on the radio and I became instantly transformed into a different girl. I was automatically a Beatle maniac. And then my girlfriend and I teen magazines, you know, everything Beatles. Beatles. Beatles. I read in one of the Beatle magazines that the uh the Beatles hung out in Soho in London in clubs and I said, "We got to go."

[00:14:20]>> So, but you're living in a foster home at the time, right?

[00:14:22]>> Well, I was living with my great aunt.

[00:14:24]She was my legal guardian.

[00:14:26]>> So, you just grabbed your girlfriend and you said, "Let's go to London."

[00:14:31]>> Uh-huh. To Soho.

[00:14:32]>> Yeah.

[00:14:33]>> So, you at 16 years old >> where I'm going to live forever. I want to live in Beetle land where life is happy.

[00:14:40]>> Right. Right.

[00:14:40]>> Oh my gosh.

[00:14:42]>> Well, so then you go you and then you you you go to clubs. You're following the band. You even you hitched hike to Liverpool. You were young, 16 years old.

[00:14:52]And now you're in a whole different country.

[00:14:54]>> Yeah. But this was the age of innocence where you didn't worry about anything, you know, and I was where I wanted to be. Live music every night. I mean, we had been to a club where the Rolling Stones had been the house band just two weeks prior. And they're talking about, "Have you girls heard of the kinks?" You know, >> but that caused this whole big and this international incident.

[00:15:16]>> Yeah. Because we didn't know anybody was looking for us at all because we weren't watching TV, listening to the radio. We were living that life, you know, we were in it. We were part of the >> Meanwhile, back home here, you were missing.

[00:15:30]>> Missing? Yeah.

[00:15:31]>> And there you go. There's your missing person's posters. Uh, so then how did you find out? you need to come back home. So, you were you were in school or was it summer?

[00:15:42]>> No, you just left school.

[00:15:43]>> Skipped school that day. Okay.

[00:15:44]>> And the next morning took a cab to uh Hopkins and got on a TWWA flight.

[00:15:50]>> How did they eventually get you back here and then what happened after that?

[00:15:53]>> Well, what happened was after 23 days we were over there, right? 23 days. Like that could never happen today, right?

[00:16:00]Oh, for sure.

[00:16:01]>> How did you get money?

[00:16:02]>> Oh, well, that was my my friend's college fund.

[00:16:06]>> [laughter] >> Oh my gosh. Wow.

[00:16:08]>> So, how did they get you back?

[00:16:10]>> Okay, so I'm walking down the street with my very cool Liverpool musician boyfriend down Oxford Street in London, thinking everything's fine and all of a sudden a Bobby comes up to me and he says, "Excuse me, miss. Would you happen to be from Cleveland, Ohio?"

[00:16:27]And I said, "Well, well, yes, I am. Why do you ask?" As if I don't know, right?

[00:16:33]He says, 'Well, there's a couple of girls that are here on holiday and they haven't written home and their parents are worried about them, and you seem to resemble one of them. Can we just take a little walk over to the police station just to check it out? [laughter] >> So, there's Mick and I walking hand in hand, and Mick is looking at me saying, "Do you know what this is about?" And I said, "Um, yeah, I'm the girl they're looking for."

[00:16:56]>> Oh my goodness.

[00:16:58]>> Broken hearts, you know. So, we get uh to the police station and the Bobby points up and he we see these posters, you know, missing a picture of me and my friend and I looked at it and I said, "Um Uhhuh. Now I see why you made the mistake because the resemblance is uncanny."

[00:17:17]>> Oh my. Unfortunately, we're only through the like the first half of the first chapter. You have lived an amazing life.

[00:17:24]Did you ever meet the Beatles?

[00:17:26]>> Close, but no cigar. No, >> I know. Well, you're going to hear all about it coming up.

[00:17:31]>> While the girls were discovered and sent back to the US, the Beatles began their UK tour.

[00:17:38]The tour started in Bradford and on the drive up there, they stopped for lunch at the Old English Hotel.

[00:17:44]>> I was 10 years old at school. My mom had had a phone call at the bank to uh come back to work, which is here at the Old England, and she very sensibly came to school to collect me. took me outside and I said, "What's going on?" And she said, "The Beatles are at the Old England. The Beatles at the Old England was really excited because they were me." And we stood here to wave them off and by then a few villagers had arrived and were wondering what was going on.

[00:18:10]And then few realized, you know, it was the Beatles in the car park. But there wasn't uproar. Everyone was very polite.

[00:18:15]They just were really, I think, a bit stunned. So, we were standing here and they were getting in the car and Paul McCartney stopped and he said, "Does a little girl want a picture?" And I ran across and stood by him and he waited so we can have our picture taken on the picture that the others are getting in the car, but he's standing all on his own with me, which is just wonderful.

[00:18:37]And I've always treasured that picture.

[00:18:39]Yeah, it was a busy time. And they were doing their autographs at the same time.

[00:18:42]That's when I lost my autograph. It was given to the man from the paper shop.

[00:18:45]So, that was a bit sad. And then they went off >> in Bradford at soundcheck. They worked on a new song called I Feel Fine, building on the riff that John played in the studio a few days earlier. [music] [music] [music] The day of course was John's 24th birthday. And after the concert, they headed to a jackabined mansion called the Cavalere Country Club. Their arrival at the club was so secret that club owners Freddy and Rita Pearson didn't even tell their daughters.

[00:19:43]my father because they um paid by check their total bill for staying here dinner and staying overnight was £423 and six months and he sent he wrote to the bank manager and said could we have the check back as a momento and we have this wonderful letter from the Midland Bank at the time he says I'm afraid they are never likely to have the same value as the Bayer tapestry but I trust it will serve your purpose [music] before coming back to Halifax in the ' 50s and he had a a contact there who was involved in the music business, knew Brian Epstein, was involved with the Beatles from the early days. He got in touch with my father, knew that they'd started this private members club, that it was a lovely house in the country, and he said, "Could I bring the Beatles?" And of course, my father said, "Yes, but it all has to be very hush hush, you know. Nobody must know. you mustn't tell your daughters and all this sort of thing. Room, which is now an office, was where my sister and I slept, our bedroom, and we gave this up to John and Ringo.

[00:20:57]>> Tight squeeze.

[00:20:57]>> We slept in here. Yes, it did. I'm sure it is. [laughter] >> No graffiti on the walls then or anything?

[00:21:02]>> No. Sadly, they didn't sign their name.

[00:21:05]We would never have paced. was on the stairs trying to get a peep of anything, but was too young to be allowed to [music] come downstairs and see them.

[00:21:14]The next morning, I was up at the crack of dawn thinking that they'd come down for breakfast, which they didn't. By 11:00, still no sign of them, and I was nearly in tears because I could see that the cars were pulling up outside and that they were going to go. My mother said, "This is ridiculous. Come on." and just went up to the door, knocked on the door and said, "Are you decent?" And I think it was Paul McCartney came to the door. "Yes, yes, Mrs. Pearson." She said, "My daughter's been waiting all morning to see you and pushed me in."

[00:21:47]>> What happens when you're pushed in then you sort of freeze for a while, dear?

[00:21:51]>> Yes, I did freeze, but they were so lovely. Paul McCartney offered me a cigarette and I said, "Oh, no, no, no. I don't smoke. Thank you very much." And then we were chatting about where I think he said to me, "Where did you go on holiday?" You know, to be [gasps] my sister, who was only seven, she hid cuz she was very shy. And by that time, Ringo and John had come into the the big room where Paul and George were. No one could find my sister Kim. So, everybody sort of went looking and Ringo found her hiding behind a curtain and said, "Oh, come on out, Kim." and uh get this photograph and she just remembers seeing this hand with lots of rings on it. I look back on it now and wish that I but can one make more of those moments. You just have to live within that moment.

[00:22:43]>> The tour continued playing Lester de Montford Hall the following day and Birmingham on the 11th.

[00:22:50]In Leicester, one fan, Richard Bxton, who was present at the second show, gave his recollections I was there with my sister and we were upstairs in the balcony. I remember looking down to see Mary Wells. She was terrific.

[00:23:07]I also remember that Tommy Quickley was on before the Beatles and he was applauded.

[00:23:13]People liked him and thought that he did well. But maybe some of the applause was because of who was to follow.

[00:23:20]If we had been where we usually were, in the stalls underneath the overhang of the circle, it would have been claustrophobic with all the screaming.

[00:23:30]On October 12th, Brian became one of the directors of Bridor Cars Limited. Over the past year, Brian, the Beatles, and other Nems artists had spent fortunes on expensive cars. And Brian thought that if he had his own car dealership, they could buy exotic cars at wholesale prices. and Brian could make a huge profit from selling cars to other rock stars who would use the firm services simply because it's owned by Brian.

[00:23:56]The agency was headed by Terry Doran. He sold cars in Liverpool and earned himself a good name as a car dealer.

[00:24:03]>> When did you first meet them?

[00:24:04]>> Um uh Liverpool.

[00:24:09]>> This takes back to where to when?

[00:24:12]>> 64 I think. And uh the first time that I met them was um I was a friend of Brian Epstein.

[00:24:20]>> Yes.

[00:24:21]>> Who was the manager as you know. And so I got to know them individually. Well, >> not individually at first because I mean it's like I I said hello to each each one. But I really got to know John.

[00:24:34]>> Yes.

[00:24:35]>> Uh I immediately clicked with John.

[00:24:36]There was some sort of like chemistry there. These are John for the once of a better word. and uh and sort of hung out with John for quite a long time.

[00:24:50]>> Meanwhile, over in Canada during a royal visit, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was asked about the Beatles, and he said that they were on the Wayne.

[00:24:59]Next stop on the tour was Wigan. They didn't have time to stop for lunch because their car broke down on the way, but they arrived early enough to get a cup of soup.

[00:25:09]It's 90. I saw them in October 1964.

[00:25:13]>> Wow.

[00:25:14]>> Um, I saw them at the uh ABC cinema in Wigan. That's Yeah, that's me. That's a few months before. I saw them at the ABC cinema in Wigan in October 1964.

[00:25:26]>> My mom took me I was to just I just had turned four.

[00:25:30]>> Yeah. Um she before she passed away for the for that book and for other things I I said to her why did you take me and she always claims that she took me with an eye on posterity because she knew that in later years quite like I do now always can say when people in the pub are saying who's the first band you ever saw you know and people say oh you know dump his rusty nuts or first guy 638 32 houses I think a kind of epste you I've gone you know his mom mestein sort of package show I think with >> it was the way all bands to all all acts not just bands all acts toured that way.

[00:26:06]It was the old variety way of doing it where every show has two houses an early house and a second house and >> Tommy Chains Incorporated Tommy quickly on the bill as well comedian a front cloth comic would come out to to speak to the audience while the bands are behind the curtain plugging in.

[00:26:21]>> Yeah. Unlike anything we know now.

[00:26:23]>> Pictures exist of 60 of that Wigan gig in 1965. I've seen them at the front of Screaming Girls. Because I think I'd like and I'd like to think that somewhere that you said that the magic that was it, you know, but I certainly feel that way about Can't Buy Me Love >> even every time I hear Can't Buy Me Love since. So when Macka play started with it last year, every time I hear Can't Buy Me Love, I think somewhere in right back here in the recesses of my DNA, >> I get a hint of that magic again.

[00:26:51]>> A trace memory.

[00:26:52]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:26:53]>> Yeah. Yeah. I'm not surprised. Before their show in Manchester on the 14th, the Beatles filmed a slot on the Scene at 6:30 television show.

[00:27:20]>> [music] [music] >> In Stockton on the 15th, they arrived an hour late, but they still had time to meet with the press. Ringo played a joke on them, hiding in the closet and then bursting out when they were wondering where he was.

[00:27:41]>> You're a pretty regular top of the pollsters. What do you think about this election business?

[00:27:45]>> Very good.

[00:27:46]>> Great. Good stuff. this election stuff.

[00:27:48]It's >> all right if you win.

[00:27:49]>> Do you think it's harder being a politician than being a pop star?

[00:27:52]>> Yes, definitely.

[00:27:53]>> Probably very much so.

[00:27:54]>> Has your father?

[00:27:55]>> Never been a politician though.

[00:27:57]>> What would happen if you got >> Never been?

[00:28:00]>> Don't take our money, Harold.

[00:28:04]>> What do you think is going to happen if the nationalizer then?

[00:28:07]>> Southern Ireland.

[00:28:08]>> Well, we'll have to move out, won't we?

[00:28:10]Have to go live in Germany or some place like that.

[00:28:13]>> Southern Ireland is nice down there.

[00:28:15]>> It's only half an hour away. Yeah.

[00:28:17]>> In actual fact, had time to vote yourselves.

[00:28:19]>> No, we missed it actually. We we uh we were having dinner at the time.

[00:28:24]>> I think Paul had aspirations to become prime minister. Have you still got those ideas?

[00:28:27]>> No, not politicians. It's a hard life, you see.

[00:28:30]>> It's a hard day's grind.

[00:28:32]>> He said in a merry voice >> like a cigarette.

[00:28:34]>> Don't smoke at all.

[00:28:35]>> They're going to give those [laughter] to these.

[00:28:39]>> None of these luxuries.

[00:28:41]>> You don't mind if I smoke?

[00:28:42]>> Bad enough as it is.

[00:28:44]>> Have you been heckled at all? You ever had >> Oh yeah, we used to have it and especially in the early days.

[00:28:48]>> Oh, >> but John John had had a perfect answer.

[00:28:52]What was it?

[00:28:53]>> Short off the joke about this.

[00:28:55]>> No, no, that was the other day.

[00:28:57]>> During the last few weeks, the Grimman group and the Hume group and the Wilson group have been edging off the paper.

[00:29:02]You been envious of all these groups?

[00:29:04]>> No, no, we sell more. The >> whole situation looks pretty grim, doesn't it?

[00:29:10]>> That's a good political. Have any of the political parties actually contacted and said would you say publicly you'd vote for us?

[00:29:18]>> Oh no. Cuz then the others don't buy the records. [laughter] >> What about this person have been on the way? Is that all over by?

[00:29:25]>> Well, we get it about every two months somebody says you're finished. You're on the way. You know they say Brian Pool's in.

[00:29:32]>> You know they're probably all in, but uh we're still time ourselves.

[00:29:36]>> You don't look too [laughter] bad for >> You don't look too bad for lads like you on your way to the do you?

[00:29:41]>> No. Well, we passed one the other day the week before.

[00:29:44]>> Yes, we passed.

[00:29:45]>> We're still on the dole as well. Don't tell Harold.

[00:29:47]>> Just getting back to election for a moment. Have you taken much interest in it? Have you taken interest? You know, because it's interesting and it's exciting. But, uh, we didn't actually get the chance to vote as we told you before.

[00:29:58]>> Have you read the speeches?

[00:30:00]>> Read them.

[00:30:02]>> Read the comics.

[00:30:03]>> You been away.

[00:30:03]>> Saw the film.

[00:30:04]>> The comic.

[00:30:06]>> Well, we will soon as you go.

[00:30:08]>> We'll do the telly in the next room.

[00:30:10]Now, just finally, one thing. What would you like to see a new government bring in?

[00:30:14]>> Uh, more wine. [laughter] >> Yes, I think that's about it. More wine.

[00:30:21]>> You know, better things for everyone.

[00:30:23]But, I mean, that's what anyone wants anyway.

[00:30:25]>> And cut the sax a bit. This is our computer Ernie who's going to prophesy [laughter] the verdict.

[00:30:32]>> Thank you very much, lads. Thank you.

[00:30:37]>> They played in Hull on the 16th and they were interviewed by a university student. John was asked about books, saying the most recent book he read was A Clockwork Orange and his favorite was Alice in Wonderland.

[00:30:50]George announced that in February they would start shooting a second film with Dick Lester. And Paul played piano as they all gave an impromptu performance attempting and failing at singing Sil Blacks You're My World.

[00:31:04]For the performance in Hull, the city brought in local rugby league players to protect the Beatles on stage from the fans.

[00:31:11]On the 18th, the Beatles held a marathon recording session, working on eight different songs.

[00:31:20]The things like Honey Don't and Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby, we'd played live so much, we just had to get a sound on that and just do it. But things like Babies in Black, well, that was like learn the songs and rehearse them. And I think we were beginning to do a little bit of overdubbing in those days. It's probably a four track. First on the agenda was a cover of Little Richard's Kansas City Hey.

[00:31:43]Recorded in just two takes, but take one was superior by far, so it was labeled best and it became another classic [music] one-take Beatles performance.

[00:31:55]Next was a remake of Mr. Moonlight.

[00:31:57]Starting with take five. The Beatles were still undecided about how to perform the number.

[00:32:03]Although take 8 was deemed the best. By take six, they still had to think about the addition of Paul playing the Hammond organ.

[00:32:13]Next was I feel fine. The song opens with [music] what was described in the press at the time as an electronic accident. It was no such thing. Right from take one, the Beatles had perfected the curious sounding introduction, a Leonard idea of which he was especially proud, with Paul plucking a single bass string and John getting amplifier feedback from his guitar.

[00:32:38]Quite often in the early days, John would turn up his guitar as loud as possible and also everything at full stop. I mean, the the knob on his guitar itself would round as far as it would go, and if he got too near the amp, he'd always have howlback, and this quite often ruined some of our good takes. But he loved the sound, and he actually got to the point where he could actually control it. And he used this as an idea to start off the track. And so, you hear this feedback. I think it's the first time it's ever done, actually, as an intro to the song. I defy anybody to find the record unless it's some old blues record in 1922 the first pop record where I had this electric acoustic guitar and it would feed back on the little intro which is the first feedback I claim it for the Beatles.

[00:33:32]>> He loved things like that. He loved weird kind of um effects and it was his idea. It was great. I seem to remember that they John and George had Evely Brothers Gibsons.

[00:33:44]>> Yeah. Well, we had these big Gibson rans.

[00:33:49]They looked like the Eve's had had used >> and um >> they were >> John John put and so they were electric.

[00:33:56]They were acoustic semi-electric so they had electric facilities on them. And John leaned his against the amplifier >> and then we were just going to go on and talk about the song and suddenly the the A string started feeding back.

[00:34:11]WE'LL JUST WHAT CAN WE CAN you do that?

[00:34:14]You know, George, what I edit on the front or something.

[00:34:18]>> So, we figured out how to do it, you know, cuz we used to do it on stage then live. So, John figured out, you know, you just had to hit the A and I get it by the buzzing by the amp.

[00:34:29]>> So, that was the start.

[00:34:31]Yes, he invented Jimmyi Hendris. It probably was actually, you know, >> well, you know, once you see somebody that messing with feedback, it's a whole field of research in it, as it became later.

[00:34:42]>> But I'm sure that's how it happened. It wasn't uh engineered. It came from the accident and then we made it something we could edit onto the front.

[00:34:51]>> After this, the Beatles recorded an album track, I'll follow the sun, with the best version being Take Eight.

[00:35:00]I think if I have a favorite on the album, it is Paul's song of I'll Follow the Sun.

[00:35:05]>> The Beatles rounded off the day recording three songs in a total of just five takes.

[00:35:10]George sang lead vocal on a cover of KL Perkins Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby. And after this somewhat unusual recording, the Beatles performed a one-take recording of Chuck Barry's rock and roll music [music] with all the Beatles on their familiar instruments and George Martin displaying his prowess as a rock and roll penist.

[00:35:30]The song has no overdubs. It's [music] just a magnificent live performance.

[00:35:35]Finally, John and Paul harmonized on a version of Buddy Holly's Words of [music] Love.

[00:35:42]Next stop on the UK tour was Scotland.

[00:35:45]The group flew to Edinburgh on the 19th.

[00:35:48]They got stuck in a huge crowd and a guard saw Jon's face pressed [music] against the window glass and rushed to help him, leaving Paul Brian Epstein alone in the crowd.

[00:35:58]Next stop was Dundee where they enjoyed the natural beauty of Scotland, staying near Lo.

[00:36:05]Robert Whitaker was there to photograph the day and they were interviewed before the show. They returned to Loern after the show for a second night.

[00:36:15]You've traveled so many thousands of miles. Do you never lose the place?

[00:36:19]>> How do you mean forget where we're going? Oh, I Oh, yes.

[00:36:24]>> Do you know where you are just now?

[00:36:26]>> We're in Cake.

[00:36:27]>> Cake.

[00:36:27]>> Cake.

[00:36:28]>> Where's that?

[00:36:29]>> Dundee.

[00:36:30]>> Dundee.

[00:36:31]>> Cake.

[00:36:32]>> Can I just ask you one final question each? You are the idols of so many people in this business.

[00:36:36]>> Do you have any idols yourself? John, who?

[00:36:39]>> George.

[00:36:42]Uh me.

[00:36:44]>> Do you have an idol intro business?

[00:36:46]>> No, don't like anyone.

[00:36:48]>> You don't like anybody? [laughter] >> Uh yeah, everyone. You know, >> there lots of them.

[00:36:54]>> There's no one person.

[00:36:55]>> American colored groups mainly.

[00:36:58]>> Yeah, I I agree with that.

[00:36:59]>> Mhm. Can I just ask you one last question? Uh John, you very kindly sent a message to your Dundee fans when you were in Edinburgh. Can I now ask you to give a message on behalf [clears throat] of the boys to your Aberdeene fans, a city that you're not going to this time?

[00:37:15]And that goes for all of us. Yes.

[00:37:17]>> Yes. Thanks a lot. Hello.

[00:37:48]They traveled back down south over the next few days playing in Glasgow and then Leeds. In Leeds, John autographed a photo of the Beatles and on the rear side there were sketches of the Beatles upcoming album cover.

[00:38:01]Next they traveled to Kill Burn and then Walam Stow in North London. And before their show in Walthamto it was announced that they would be releasing a new [music] single I feel fine in Brighton.

[00:38:13]Before their show on the 25th they were photographed for the Beatles book monthly and demonstrated their new single for Shawn Mahoney.

[00:38:20]They were also photographed looking at previous photo shoots and laughing at themselves. Also, while backstage, they were visited by Richard Harris and his kids, and also a clairvoyant read George's palms.

[00:38:34]The next day was another rest day from [music] the tour, in which the Beatles did anything but rest. Aside from attending all of the mixing sessions, perhaps one of the first times they did this, they also recorded the final batch of songs for their upcoming LP. First was Honey Don't, another Carl Perkins cover version with Ringo taking the lead vocal.

[00:38:56]It was perfected in five takes with the fifth being the best. Following which the group tried a remake of What You're Doing Takes 13 to 19. Only three of those seven were complete and 19 was considered the best.

[00:39:12]Musically, we were learning a lot. You know, this is where we learned a lot of the music and putting together some of the uh arrangements and things. You know, we're quite quick in the studio when you think about it. Two songs in 3 hours. Finally, the Beatles turned their attention towards their official fan club, recording wacky speech and zany versions of Christmas carols for the second annual Christmas flexi disc.

[00:39:34]After the recording session was over, Paul and Ringo, accompanied by Jane and Moren, went to the AdLib Club. The tour continued on the 28th with a show in Exod. Then they played Plymouth where they were interviewed by Michael Reinhold.

[00:39:56]Did you manage to find your way here?

[00:39:58]All >> right.

[00:39:58]>> Oh, yes. Yes.

[00:40:00]>> What do you think of it?

[00:40:02]>> Very nice.

[00:40:03]It is really nice.

[00:40:05]>> How do you find a bit of crowd in next?

[00:40:07]>> Well, we take the B- road, you know, keep away from all the traffic.

[00:40:11]>> And how do you get from next to here?

[00:40:14]>> On the B road.

[00:40:15]>> You were a bit late getting to extra, weren't you?

[00:40:17]>> Yes. Doesn't bother you at all.

[00:40:18]>> Very late, in fact. 5 minutes before we went on.

[00:40:22]>> Oh, all sorts happened. But anyway, >> took us longer than we expected and we stopped. We got lost.

[00:40:30]>> Everything all in all.

[00:40:32]>> How long you going to stay here?

[00:40:33]>> What happened to you on the way down?

[00:40:34]>> Till tonight.

[00:40:40]>> Hello.

[00:40:40]>> How much longer you going to last?

[00:40:42]That's what we want to know.

[00:40:42]>> Last one.

[00:40:43]>> Last pace.

[00:40:44]>> No, not last year. Last of >> I don't know. till we get fed up.

[00:40:49]>> What would you do then? Become an MP or >> No, a railway driver. Engine driver.

[00:40:55]>> It's better than being on >> or a fire engine driver.

[00:40:58]>> Something like that.

[00:40:59]>> What it feels to >> this at the moment?

[00:41:03]>> I don't even know what it's about.

[00:41:04]>> What? Just sort of >> and films.

[00:41:05]>> Yeah, you like films.

[00:41:06]>> Yeah, that's all right.

[00:41:07]>> You going to make another film?

[00:41:08]>> Yeah. February.

[00:41:10]>> Did you vote?

[00:41:11]>> No. You >> Well, no. Because >> Well, there you go then. There's two of us, so don't start picking on me if you didn't vote either.

[00:41:17]>> No.

[00:41:18]that Johnny comes up here.

[00:41:20]>> Did the other people vote?

[00:41:21]>> I don't think so.

[00:41:22]>> Did you vote?

[00:41:23]>> No.

[00:41:24]>> Did you? Oh, you didn't have time.

[00:41:26]>> Very busy.

[00:41:28]>> Not Tory.

[00:41:29]>> No, I said we're touring.

[00:41:30]>> They finished the month with shows in Bournemouth and I switch.

[00:41:43]I've seen you interviewed many times, television, screen, watched your films.

[00:41:48]One question I don't think you've been asked. You probably have. I don't know.

[00:41:50]Why are you called the Beatles?

[00:41:52]>> Why not?

[00:41:55]>> Any other name? Eh, >> the name John thought of.

[00:41:59]>> Did John think of it?

[00:42:00]>> Mhm.

[00:42:00]>> No, John didn't.

[00:42:01]>> Who thought of it? Ringo. Did you think of it?

[00:42:02]>> John thought of it.

[00:42:03]>> John thought of it.

[00:42:04]>> John thought of it. John, we there's a rumor um in the News of the Beatles paper that you might be leaving the group.

[00:42:09]>> Rubbish.

[00:42:11]>> I'm contracted.

[00:42:12]>> Been trying to get out for years.

[00:42:14]>> You've been uh writing some poetry.

[00:42:15]>> What paper?

[00:42:16]>> Paper called the News of the Beatles.

[00:42:18]>> Never heard of it.

[00:42:19]>> Do you want to see it?

[00:42:19]>> No. Must be American.

[00:42:20]>> I've got in my pocket. You want to see it?

[00:42:21]>> It's American sticky.

[00:42:23]>> No, it's an English one.

[00:42:25]>> Uh you're writing some more poetry.

[00:42:26]>> Have a look at it, please.

[00:42:27]>> Sure. Hang on to that.

[00:42:28]>> Okay. You going to look at it now?

[00:42:29]>> Well, good evening viewers and welcome to >> interview with John McGregor. Thanks, John.

[00:42:35]>> It is >> the Beatles.

[00:42:36]>> See, you buy cheap [snorts] papers.

[00:42:38]>> You are cheap stories.

[00:42:40]>> Well, I had to find out about the last interview, didn't I?

[00:42:42]>> Ringo. Is Ringo your real name or is it a nickname?

[00:42:45]>> It's a nickname.

[00:42:46]>> What's your real name?

[00:42:46]>> Richard.

[00:42:47]>> Richard, how did how did the Ringo come about?

[00:42:49]>> Cuz I wear four rings.

[00:42:51]>> Wow.

[00:42:51]>> Fair enough. Yes.

[00:42:53]>> Let me ask you quickly. If you you >> I'm not called Ringo.

[00:42:56]>> No, I can see that. I hope the camera can.

[00:42:58]>> It's called Hando.

[00:42:59]>> Not called Ringo.

[00:43:01]>> Take two.

[00:43:01]>> Good.

[00:43:02]>> Go on. You've got fame and fortune. Uh, if if all this disappeared overnight and you were left with one thing you'd like to hang on to, what would that be?