Beatles TV

Interview with John's Aunt Mimi 1981

2010-04-22T02:44:00.001-07:00

A beautiful interview with John Lennon's Aunt Mimi in 1981, not long after John's death by an Independent film maker, Les Latimer Film Associates. Mimi Smith was the maternal aunt and parental guardian of John. She was the eldest of five daughter. She was born April 1906 and died 6th December 1991 aged 85 in Dorset, England. Mimi coined the famous phrases when John insisted that he would make it in the music business "Music's all right John, but you'll never make a living out of it". How wrong could she be but in this interview you can see how lighthearted she is about everything. She was such a nice lady.

Beatles 1967 Rare Footage incl Paul and LSD

2010-04-15T03:22:00.000-07:00

Great mix of footage from 1967 in London, firstly the opening of Apple which shows some nice footage of the Beatles at the launch party. This follows with the infamous interview with Paul McCartney and the BBC about his drug taking and particularly his admission to taking LSD 4 times, a very insightful interview by Paul who is well able for the media and even at an early stage can see the power of the media at work. After this is a nice interview with Ringo about him and Maureen's new baby. Really great quality footage.

John Lennon Interview 18th April 1975

2009-12-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

John Lennon interviewed by Bob Harris: Old Grey Whistle Test 18th April 1975. Bob Harris interviewed John Lennon for The Old Grey Whistle Test on the 18th April 1975. When Bob was interviewed, and asked what his most memorable interview was he said [Without hesitation] "John Lennon in 1975 for Whistle Test. We'd been trying to get him for absolutely ages and he phoned from his office in New York and invited us over. We spent pretty much a day together, and it was the day that they discovered that Yoko was pregnant with Sean, so he was in a fantastically wonderful mood. He saw it as a great opportunity to send a postcard to the Uk, basically because he couldn't leave America due to the green card problems, so we got him at the best time. He and I got on like a house on fire - it happens with some people - and I think the interview reflects that". This interview is probably my favourite John Lennon interview and it is great in that John Lennon exposes his relationship with Paul and how things were very much ok between them.

Strawberry Fields Forvever (High Quality)

2009-12-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

So I decided to put up Strawberry Fields Forever as this is a new high quality version and it looks stunning. The promotional film was filmed on 30 and 31 January 1967 in Knole Park in Sevenoaks, and was directed by Peter Goldmann. Goldmann was a friend of Klaus Voormann who recommended the Swedish TV director to the group. The song was written by John Lennon during the filming of How I Won the War and inspired by a Salvation Army house in Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, Liverpool near where Lennon lived as a child. The video for "Strawberry Fields Forever", along with that of "Penny Lane", was selected by New York's MoMA as two of the most influential music videos in the 1960s. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys said that "Strawberry Fields Forever" was partially responsible for the shelving of his group's legendary unfinished album, SMiLE and when he seen the video he just said 'they have now done everything I could ever possibly even think of'. An inspiring piece of music and an inspiring video, way ahead of its time.

John & Yoko War is Over Promotion

2009-11-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

Nice compilation of interviews with John and Yoko to promote their War is Over peace campaign. Some excellent quality footage in colour and b&w, followed by the newest video version of 'War is Over (If you want it) which Yoko Ono has produced. This compilation of interviews really brings home how much they believed in the utopian view of peace and how possible it is. John has such a belief in peace which makes it all the more tragic how he was going to pass from this world. RIP John Lennon, God Bless You Yoko Ono.

Beatles Dublin 1963 (Full Irish TV archive)

2009-08-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

A great video given to me by one of Beatles TV followers 'The Dirty Mac' (thanks man), this is the full documented RTE archived video in all its beautiful B&W glory and the best quality I have seen any of this footage. This includes the full interview with Irish broadcaster Frank Hall which is rarely seen in its entirety, even in Ireland. Also included here is some great outside broadcasting in Dublin with their fans. They would later play that day in the Adelphi Cinema in Dublin (which is no longer there), I know I have listed a Dublin sequence before, but having the full video, dvd quality from Irelands national broadcaster and the rarity off it, I had to upload it. Enjoy, I especially love when they say "we are all Irish"... nice!

John Lennon/Bob Dylan: Eat the Document

2009-08-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is the famous/infamous 'Eat the Document' clips. It's now 7am. The sun is up over Hyde Park. The limousine trip is nearly over. Lennon is stoned, Dylan is about to be sick. This footage is from May 27th 1966 during Bob Dylans tour of England. In the taxi is John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Bobby Neuwirth, friend of Dylan's and temporary sound recordist; D.A. Pennebaker film-maker; Tom, a chauffeur.Its appeal to fans and historians of both iconic artists. Filmed by D A Pennebaker, famed filmmaker who also captured the footage for Dylan's 'Don't Look Back' 1965 tour film, this was intended for inclusion in Eat The Document, but did not make the official cut.

The drive takes place from John's house in Weybridge into central London to where Dylan was staying at the May Fair Hotel. The Beatles would all visit Dylan at the May Fair for the duration of his stand at the Albert Hall. Dylan would be playing the Royal Albert Hall that evening where he was roundly jeered by the fans who did not want to give up their own personal folk savior. John and George Harrison would be in attendance, cheering him on, and as they say, totally digging it.

Dylan appears to be on...something. Or very hung over. And to that, towards the end of the ride is getting sick. John is very sharp for the most part, chiding Dylan and generally making fun of the whole situation that is going south. The Beatles were in recording sessions for Revolver, and at this point, were putting the finishing touches on 'Yellow Submarine'. Perhaps not their greatest track, but definitely one where the sessions were memorable for all including

Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones.

Beatles playing Shakespeare 1964

2009-06-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

So this video is so funny, its the guys performing Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1964 for a TV special in honour of Sheakespeare's 400th birthday. This was on 28th April 1964 and the tv show was called 'Around the Beatles'. It was done live and you can see they are cracking up performing it but having a blast. The characters they were playing were as follows;

Paul - 'Pyramus' / John - 'Thisbe' / Ringo - 'Lion' / George - 'Moonshine'
*the 4 "interrupters" are most likely playing the parts of 'Theseus' 'Lysander' 'Hippolyta' and 'Demetrius' and are played by some of their mates, a lot unscripted.

Beatles Interview Dublin 7/11/63

2009-04-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

This is a great interview from 1963 just as Beatlemania was exploding and it is almost a homecoming gig for them since they had a strong Irish connection, they are overheard here saying 'We are all Irish" The location is Dublin Airport, Ireland Date: Thursday 7 November 1963 Aired: Thursday 7 November 1963 on Irish tv. Frank Hall was a very good interviewer with a pleasant homely way. The group felt at ease with him. They later played 2 concerts at the Adelphi Cinema, Abbey Street, Dublin; a matinee and an evening show. Dublin was bedlam for them and they had to sneak out of the theatre in an irish Newspapers' delivery van.

Oh My Love John & George in the studio 1971

2009-03-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

John and George At Ascott studio in June 1971 recording the song Oh My Love for the Imagine album. Their German friend Klaus Voormann plays bass and the late Nicky Hopkins is on second piano. George also played the slide on 'How Do You Sleep?' All this was going on in the midst of Paul suing the others to formally break the Beatles up. One of John's most beautiful songs, and, I think it can be heard during the 'Let It Be' sessions. This is one of the most beautiful outakes from these sessions. And of course you have Phil Spector orchestrating the proceedings and Yoko at the helm.

The Beatles Cartoon: Penny Lane

2009-02-25T03:53:00.000-08:00

The Beatles was an American animated television series featuring the fanciful and musical misadventures of the Beatles. It ran from 1965 to 1967 on ABC in the USA. Each episode has a name of a Beatles song, so the story is based on its lyrics and it is also played at some time in the episode. In total there was 39 episodes made. Rarely seen in Europe this tv series was a major influence on the Simpsons creator Mat Groening who was inspired to produce a tv show like this in the future and to include the Beatles in, which he has done! These cartoons are great, very funny even if the accents are completely off.

Paperback Writer/Rain Promo Videos

2009-02-25T03:33:00.000-08:00

The Beatles at their coolest! Both videos were recorded at Chiswick House in West London back to back on the same day. Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg who later worked with the boys on the film 'Let it be'. On May 19th 1966 they recorded some colour footage at Abbey Road for the Ed Sullivan Show but these 2 clips were recorded the next day May 20th at Chiswick House around the conservatory of the grounds of the house, also in colour. Although they did these clips in colour they were mostly transmitted around the world in b&w. The Beatles at the top of their game, 1966.

John Lennon JAMMING

2009-02-19T03:29:00.000-08:00

Here is some amazing raw footage of John Lennon and Yoko Ono jamming, John is in amazing playing form here. Here John is frantically playing some of the Rock 'n' Roll standards that he loved to play before The Beatles got a record deal. He starts with 'Rock Island Line' by Lonnie Donegan and 'Maybe Baby' 'Peggy Sue' by Buddy Holly. Up to his death this was still the type of music John loved to listen to and his jukebox was full of these songs that were so important to him. This footage is from the private collection of the John Lennon estate.

Beatles Funny interview Granada TV

2009-02-16T03:41:00.000-08:00

This is a classic funny interview with the Beatles and Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd, they are been interviewed with the young Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne. This interview was originally shown on November 27th 1963. This almost 10 minute clip is hillarious and it is pure ad libbing by Dodd and the four beatles, really showing off that great Liverpool wit. Pure enjoyment.

Get Back on the Apple Rooftop Jan 30 1969

2009-02-06T09:58:00.000-08:00

The Beatles performed their last concert on January 30th 1969 on the roof of their own recording studio, Apple Building. The live concert idea culminated with the Beatles and Preston performing 30 January on the rooftop of the Beatles' Apple Building at 3 Savile Row before a small audience of friends and employees. The performance was cut short by the police after complaints about noise. The complete concert has circulated among bootleg collectors for many years. Three numbers recorded at the rooftop concert, namely "Dig a Pony", "I've Got a Feeling", and "One After 909", do appear on the album, while several spoken parts of the concert appear between tracks that were recorded in studio. This is a great colour version of them performing 'Get Back'

Dear Yoko. John Lennon Home Demo

2009-02-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is one of the rarest John Lennon home videos I have ever seeen. The story behind this one is that John recorded many videos of himself singing songs (maybe John Lennon invented YouTube). This was recorded at Cold Spring Harbour, on Long Island New York where they had a place there. Yoko gave this tape to the US TV show 'Inside Edition" on the 25th Anniversary of John's death. The precise date for this recording is April, 1980. It's great to see John sing 'Dear Yoko' so well. A nice rarity of a home recording to his beloved.

The Beatles come to town. Manchester 1963

2009-02-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

This amazing colour footage is from the Beatles performances in Manchester in 1963. This is superb footage taken when Beatlemania had just taken hold in Britain. The crowd scenes are incredible. There is not much colour footage from the early days of Beatlemania, so this is a rare treat.

Hey Bulldog Original Unseen Video

2009-02-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

A few years back Apple Corps discovered that film footage of the Beatles, that was used for a promo film for "Lady Madonna", was in fact footage of the Beatles recording "Hey Bulldog".“Hey Bulldog” first appeared on the Yellow Submarine soundtrack album. Written by John Lennon), the song was recorded during the filming of the “Lady Madonna” promotional video, and is one of the few Beatles songs to revolve around a piano riff. During the recording, Paul McCartney started to bark without warning. The next lines, initially written as “Hey Bullfrog”, were changed mid-song to “Hey Bulldog”. This became the song’s title.

BABY'S IN BLACK Live in Munich 1966

2009-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

This is the first time they played Germany since their Hamburg days. They played the Circus Krone in Munich and this performance is from 24th June. There are great Lennon/McCartney harmonies on this track. It was a great show and throughout the performance Paul and George tried to use the odd piece of german that they remembered, John on the other hand was hopeless and could only remember 'thank you'. 1966 would be their last year to tour so they could concentrate on studio work.

HEY JUDE Live on David Frost Show

2009-02-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

This is the hard to find full version of 'Hey Jude' performed on the David Frost Show on 8th September 1968. There is also a great introduction with the Beatles jamming and John singing 'David Frost' over and over again as Frost looks on very ammused. Then he introduces one of the most memorable appearances by any band on tv, it really captures how good they really were. Paul had written this song especially for Julian Lennon, originally titled Hey Jules as a tribute to him after his parents John and Cynthia had split, he subsequently then changed it to Hey Jude to save any embarassment. Brilliant performance!

I Feel Fine 'Eating fish & chips'

2009-02-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

The Beatles tuck into a lunch of fish and chips. Weird but fab video. This was filmed at the Twickenham Studio Sessions on November 23rd 1965 by the company Intertel. This video was only released recently and was never filmed with a broadcast in mind. The Beatles were really having their lunch when the camera operator turned his camera back on. The sessions were purely for 'We can work it out', 'Help' and 'Day Tripper'. The boys were under a massive strain to make endless tv apperances and they decided to make tapes of them playing their latest tunes to send to the tv channels instead.

George Harrison 'The Pirate Song'

2009-02-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

Heres the full version of The Pirate Song from George Harrison from Rutland Weekend Televison BBC 1975 (Monty Python). Also starring Neil Innes and Eric Idle. This is hillarious! George Harrison was great friends with Monty Python and actually saved 'Life of Brian' and put it out. He went on to set up 'Handmade Film'. This is George like you have never seen him before, usually attributed to been the quiet one, George had a madcap sense of humour.

RAIN 'Video' (for the Ed Sullivan Show)

2009-02-02T08:41:00.000-08:00

In 1966, the beatles invented the video. They decided to make a video to send to the ED SULLIVAN SHOW, instead of making a special appearance inventing in this way the video clip. It became a successful format after this and they and every other band proceeded to do the same. This is a nice one with a cool introduction. This along with Paperback Writer were sent to the show. This is the brand new remastered track so it sounds incredible.

I Met the Walrus

2009-02-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

In 1969, a 14-year-old Beatle fanatic named Jerry Levitan, armed with a reel-to-reel tape deck, snuck into John Lennon's hotel room in Toronto and convinced John to do an interview about peace. 38 years later, Jerry has produced a film about it. Using the original interview recording as the soundtrack, director Josh Raskin has woven a visual narrative which tenderly romances Lennon's every word in a cascading flood of multipronged animation. Raskin marries the terrifyingly genius pen work of James Braithwaite with masterful digital illustration by Alex Kurina, resulting in a spell-binding vessel for Lennon's boundless wit, and timeless message.