Pop Go the Beatles

May 24, 1963

The Beatles are hot and the entertainment powers that were are finding it impossible not to notice.

Today, the Beatles record material for their own youth oriented BBC radio program, called "Pop Go the Beatles".  The first order of business is to gin up a Beatlized version of that old favorite "Pop Goes the Weasel".  I love how the new theme song sounds like it was done with a minimum of fuss.

Between 2:00 and 6:00 pm, the Beatles and their guest stars (Lorne Gibson Trio) record for broadcast on June 4th.  The Beatles perform numbers from their live set including "From Me to You", "Do You Want to Know a Secret" and motown hit "You've Really Got a Hold On Me".

You've really got to hand it to the BBC for recognizing the pot of gold that was right on their doorstep.  The band was not immediately and universally loved, though.  It takes time for a sound so new and different to really sink in.  The BBC commits to at least four half hour shows in the coming weeks.

After recording the show, the Beatles turn in two more evening performances with the Orbison Tour.  And on the 26th, the tour swings by the Empire Theatre in Liverpool.