November 16-17, 1962
The Beatles get back to promoting their record on the English side of the Channel. They journey to EMI House in London and record an interview and live versions of both sides of their record "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You". It is to be broadcast on November 23. They are striking while the iron is hot!
On the 17th, the push into the English Midlands, playing a date in Coventry, Warwickshire. It's their first real show after their return from Germany and Paul McCartney remembers it seven years later as "the worst first night ever", proof that even they are not immune to things going south.
They are still playing the small, crowded, basement Cavern when there's nothing else on offer many times a week.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Following their Star
November 1-14, 1962
The Beatles, now with Ringo Starr on drums, return for a short two week engagement at the Star Club in Hamburg. These last appearances on the Reeperbahn were arranged with Manfred Weissleder months ago. It can certainly be surmised that they would have preferred to stay home while their record is working it's way slowly up the UK charts. Still, a contract is a contract. And this gig will allow them to rub shoulders again with Little Richard who's headlining on this trip.
They are getting more than £100 per Beatle and stay this time in four single rooms at the Hotel Germania on Detlev-Bremer-Strasse (a far cry from behind the movie screen at the Bambi Kino). Hey, that's just across the way from Der Dom, where Astrid took those iconic photos of them in 1960. They were a much different band then, waterfall hairstyles and black leather jackets and slacks. I wonder if they look across and reflect on how far they've come in just those two years.
All of John's absences are wearing thin for newly wed Cynthia Lennon. She has moved into a small bedroom in John's childhood home on Menlove Avenue. Even Aunt Mimi's company is better than no one at all. Her belly grows ever larger with the promise of new life.
The Beatles, now with Ringo Starr on drums, return for a short two week engagement at the Star Club in Hamburg. These last appearances on the Reeperbahn were arranged with Manfred Weissleder months ago. It can certainly be surmised that they would have preferred to stay home while their record is working it's way slowly up the UK charts. Still, a contract is a contract. And this gig will allow them to rub shoulders again with Little Richard who's headlining on this trip.
All of John's absences are wearing thin for newly wed Cynthia Lennon. She has moved into a small bedroom in John's childhood home on Menlove Avenue. Even Aunt Mimi's company is better than no one at all. Her belly grows ever larger with the promise of new life.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Another Step Up
October 28, 1962
Brian Epstein, armed with a record in the charts connects with Arthur Howes, a big time concert promoter in Britain. Howes immediately books the Beatles into a tour with another successful recording artist, Helen Shapiro. In addition, he books them (unpaid) into a show in his own home town of Peterborough, so he can get all look at them and see what all the fuss is about for himself.
On the same day the Beatles headline at Liverpool's premier venue, the Empire Theatre. Many years ago this theater was instrumental in the formation of the Beatles when Johnny and the Moondogs participated in a battle of the bands competition there back in 1959. John and Paul didn't win then, but they are on top now.
Brian Epstein, armed with a record in the charts connects with Arthur Howes, a big time concert promoter in Britain. Howes immediately books the Beatles into a tour with another successful recording artist, Helen Shapiro. In addition, he books them (unpaid) into a show in his own home town of Peterborough, so he can get all look at them and see what all the fuss is about for himself.
On the same day the Beatles headline at Liverpool's premier venue, the Empire Theatre. Many years ago this theater was instrumental in the formation of the Beatles when Johnny and the Moondogs participated in a battle of the bands competition there back in 1959. John and Paul didn't win then, but they are on top now.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Back to Here We Go
October 25, 1962
The Beatles journey to Manchester's Playhouse Theatre to tape another apperance on the BBC's teenager's show "Here We Go". They record live versions of "Love Me Do", "A Taste of Honey" and "P.S. I Love You". The first and third are the A and B sides of their first commercial release which is fighting its way up the UK charts.
The Beatles journey to Manchester's Playhouse Theatre to tape another apperance on the BBC's teenager's show "Here We Go". They record live versions of "Love Me Do", "A Taste of Honey" and "P.S. I Love You". The first and third are the A and B sides of their first commercial release which is fighting its way up the UK charts.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Epstein and the Tower
October 12, 1962
Taking a page from Sam Leach's book, Brian Epstein pulls out all of the promotional stops today by organizing a show himself for 12, count 'em 12, acts to appear at the Tower Ballroom on one bill. The headliner - Beatle hero, Little Richard. They have been covering his material for so long. And with a record entering the charts - they must feel as if this is it! They have finally made it to the toppermost. No, not quite yet, boys.
At the same time, they make the acquaintance of one of Richard's musical entourage - keyboardist Billy Preston. (Yeah, THAT Billy Preston. See 1:12 in the video below. Also note the snatches of Cavern bouncer Mal Evans, the gentle giant with the glasses in this video.)
Also on the bill, Lee Curtis and the All Stars with their new drummer Pete Best. Awkward! The Beatles don't speak to or even seem to notice him
Taking a page from Sam Leach's book, Brian Epstein pulls out all of the promotional stops today by organizing a show himself for 12, count 'em 12, acts to appear at the Tower Ballroom on one bill. The headliner - Beatle hero, Little Richard. They have been covering his material for so long. And with a record entering the charts - they must feel as if this is it! They have finally made it to the toppermost. No, not quite yet, boys.
At the same time, they make the acquaintance of one of Richard's musical entourage - keyboardist Billy Preston. (Yeah, THAT Billy Preston. See 1:12 in the video below. Also note the snatches of Cavern bouncer Mal Evans, the gentle giant with the glasses in this video.)
Also on the bill, Lee Curtis and the All Stars with their new drummer Pete Best. Awkward! The Beatles don't speak to or even seem to notice him
Friday, October 5, 2012
Get 'em While They're Hot
October 5, 1962
IT HAS HAPPENED!!!
After all the years of learning new chords, new chord sequences, new vocal techniques, and how to blend them into a coherent and pleasing sound... Parlophone releases the first true Beatle record - Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You - on a 45 RPM vinyl disk. In the coming days, the Beatles become autograph machines, showing up wherever there were kids around to buy the new single. On the 6th at Dawson's Music Shop in Widnes in connection with their appearance at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight. On the 8th down in London at EMI House where they've gone to tape a appearance for Radio Luxembourg, a short wave radio show originating on the continent and beamed directly at the UK to get around the sometimes hidebound BBC monopoly on British broadcasting. (Take that, Sir Hugh Greene.)
IT HAS HAPPENED!!!
After all the years of learning new chords, new chord sequences, new vocal techniques, and how to blend them into a coherent and pleasing sound... Parlophone releases the first true Beatle record - Love Me Do / P.S. I Love You - on a 45 RPM vinyl disk. In the coming days, the Beatles become autograph machines, showing up wherever there were kids around to buy the new single. On the 6th at Dawson's Music Shop in Widnes in connection with their appearance at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight. On the 8th down in London at EMI House where they've gone to tape a appearance for Radio Luxembourg, a short wave radio show originating on the continent and beamed directly at the UK to get around the sometimes hidebound BBC monopoly on British broadcasting. (Take that, Sir Hugh Greene.)
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| Pic from The Beatles Rarity, one of my favorite Beatles web sites |
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Is Everybody Happy?
October 2, 1962
Three days before the release of their first record, Brian Epstein and the four Beatles sign a five year management contract. YES!
Three days before the release of their first record, Brian Epstein and the four Beatles sign a five year management contract. YES!
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