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THE BEATLES! At the Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Saturday, August 13, 1966
Lennon ‘Christianity’ Comments Uproars Controversy
NEW YORK — [August 13, 1966] The radio ban against playing Beatles’ records, which was begun last week by Tommy Charles and Doug Layton, WAQY, Birmingham, Ala., has spread across the country, with dozens of stations refusing to program the British group.
Cause of the controversy is a statement published in a British magazine and attributed to John Lennon. The statement follows: “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that: I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first, rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary.”
At a press conference held here late Friday (August 5), Brian Epstein, Beatles’ manager, said the statement was taken out of context. Epstein explained that Lennon meant “in the last 50 years the Church of England and, therefore Christ, had suffered a decline in interest.”
While the statement, confirmed by a Beatles’ spokesman, went virtually unnoticed in England, the reaction in this country was immediate.
Greatest impact has been in the so-called “Bible Belt,” which is mainly in the Southeast. But the ban has extended to other sections of the country. New York’s WABC has reportedly put Beatles’ records on the verboten list, but, at press time, the switchboard operator at the station said that not one of the station’s staff members could be reached.
B. J. Williams, disk jockey at KSWO, Lawton, Okla., called for a “Beatles’ bonfire” and broke the Beatles’ latest record while on the air.
In Milwaukee, WOKY music director King Kbornik said he would not ban the record until he had seen Lennon’s remarks in print. The extent of the ban is not known, but a majority of the nation’s radio stations will continue to program Beatles records.
The group is scheduled to play a concert in New York’s Shea Stadium Aug. 23. A spokesman for Capitol Records, which issues Beatles’ records under its logo in the U. S., said Lennon’s remarks were “quoted cut of context and misconstrued.” END
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Credit source information (as published): Billboard, August 13, 1966
DENVER — [August 12, 1967]KHOW, major Easy Listening format radio station here, is banning songs composed by the Beatles.
Hal Davis, general manager, passed down a memo last week instructing personnel “to play no compositions relating to this group. This radio station cannot condone such an attitude” — and referred to trip-taking by one in the group — “and will not give any further air play to songs with which they had any part. Please scratch all tracks on albums and dispose of all single records with music by the Beatles or any member of their group.” END
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Credit source information (as published): Billboard, August 12, 1967
A MCRFB Note: In lieu of the Lennon statement and controversy, did any top 40 stations in Detroit participated in banning Beatles’ record play? We marked two references (with red arrows) in the featured Detroit Free Press column, on the right.
The above newspaper article was digitally re-imaged by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
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From the pages of Record World magazine, ads dated, as noted. The featured United Artists Records 1964 ads was digitally restored and re-imaged in it’s entirety by Motor City Radio Flashbacks.
The American version of the album was released on 26 June 1964 by United Artists Records in both mono and stereo, the fourth Beatles album in the United States. The album went to number one on the Billboard album chart, spending 14 weeks there, the longest run of any album that year.United Artists rushed the album into stores over a month before the film’s US premiere; as a result, the Beatles had both the number-one album and number-one single in the country when A Hard Day’s Night opened on 11 August 1964.
All seven songs from the film, the first side of the UK album, were featured along with “I’ll Cry Instead”, which, although written for the film, was cut at the last minute. The American version also included four orchestral instrumental versions of Lennon and McCartney songs arranged by George Martin conducting an orchestra of studio musicians: “I Should Have Known Better”, “And I Love Her”, “Ringo’s Theme”, and “A Hard Day’s Night”. After EMI acquired United Artists Records, this album was reissued in August 1980 on the Capitol label, catalogue SW-11921.
Credit Source: A Hard Day’s Night (Album) | Wikipedia
Audio digitally remastered by Motor City Radio Flashbacks
In U.K., Gordy Slated to Personally Pitch Detroit for Beatles’ Second North American Tour
Detroit — Teenagers here may still be able to see the Beatles “in person” this summer.
International Talent Management Incorporated (ITMI), the booking agency arm of Detroit’s Motown Record Corporation, will attempt to add an appearance in Detroit to the tentative schedule already announced for the British foursome’s second American tour, which begins later in the year, Aug. 15. Berry Gordy Jr., Motown President, is currently in London and will meet with Beatles manager Brian Epstein to this end.
During their first visit to Detroit last September, the Beatles named many Motown recording artists, including the Miracles, the Supremes, as their personal favorite performers. The Beatles have also recorded many of the songs which had first reached popularity as recordings by Motown artists.
A spokesman for ITMI said, “If we are able to bring the Beatles to Detroit, it will be Motown’s way of saying ‘Thank you’ to Detroit; and to the teenagers of Detroit, for the constant support that they have given to Detroit’s recording artists.”END
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Information, credit and source (as published): Record World, April 3, 1965
THE BEATLES at the Detroit Olympia, Sunday, September 6, 1964.
Capitol Records Claim to Beatles Rights Against Vee-Jay Undecided in Windy City
CHICAGO —TheCapitol–Vee JaylawsuitoverBeatles product was in what one attorneydescribedasa“stateof limbo,” with counsel for both sides due in Appelate Court last Friday (February 7) afternoon for further hearings.
Last Wednesday (February 5). the Appelate Court granted Vee Jay stay on Capitol’s injunction prohibiting Vee Jayfrom selling Beatles records.
The stay was issued pending Vee-Jay’s appeal and on the condition that Vee-Jay post a S30,000 bond. The bond was posted, but,meanwhile, Capitol attorneysfiledapetitionforrehearing.
Therehearingwasscheduledfor Friday (February 7).andthe court held off approval of the Vee Jay bond pending the out come of the hearing.Vee Jay thus continued to be prohibited from shipping or manufacture Beatles records, though the situation could conceivably be different asthis (Billboard) issue comes off the press. END
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Credit source information: Billboard, February 15, 1964
A MCRFB Note: For a recent post regarding this Billboard story GO HERE
U.S. Recording labels Clash in Courts Over Claims to Beatles Recording Rights
NEW YORK — Vee Jay Records filed a motion in New York’s Supreme Court against both Capitol Records and Swan Records here Friday (January 17) seeking an injunction restraining the companies from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise of disposing of recordings by the Beatles.
The motion was brought before Judge Mullen in Supreme Court, who reserved decision of the case.
This case is of but one of many suits and countersuits being bandied about the courts over the sensational young singing group from Liverpool. END
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Credit source information: Billboard, January 25, 1964
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CHICAGO — The Beatles, the nation’s hottest recording property today, are becoming the object of the nation’s hottest lawsuits, at least as far as the record industry is concerned.
The rock-and-rolling English group has a series of singles and LP’s out on three labels — Capitol, Vee Jay and Swan. Each of the offerings is bounding up the national charts like Topsy.
Andeachisbecoming involved in a series of suits and countersuits between the various recording companies involved.
Most confused are thenation’s dealersand one-stops, many of whom have received telegrams from one or more of theparties.noting thatappropriate legal action would be taken if they persisted in selling the other’s product.
The matter is far from settled, but as of Billboard press time, Capitol was granted an injunction inCook County Circuit Court (January 15) restraining Vee Jay frommanufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise disposing of the Beatles’ recordings.
TheCapitolinjunctionis good for 30 days and Vee Jay is slated to file an answer next Wednesday (January 22).
Vee Jay, meanwhile, has filed a suit seeking a similar injunction against Capitol and Swan, with ahearing slated for New York’s Supreme Court before JudgeSaulStreitlastFriday (January 17).
Under the Capitol injunction, “Vee Jay, its agents, attorneys andservants”areprevented fromsellingoradvertising Beatles’ product.
Presumably, and according to Vee Jay sources, the injunction does not apply against dealers, one-stops, rack jobbers and even distributors who might already have the records in stock.
According to Jay Lasker, Vee Jayexecutivevice-president, “we’ve shipped an awful lot of records, more than Capitol.”
Capitol attorney, Sidney Zatz, however,hasindicatedthat “steps could he taken” against dealers who persisted in selling the Vee Jay product, though he did not specify what this would entail.
The product causing all the fuss is:
Capitol,“IWant ToHold Your Hand,” a single, No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this week, and “Meet The Beatles,” an LP.
Vee Jay, “Please Please Me.” asingle, and two LP’s, “Introducing TheBeatles,”already distributed,and“TheBeatles andFrank Ifield,”notyet shipped but waiting to go.
Swan,“She LovesYou”, a single breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100 in position 69.
Neither Vee Jay nor Capitol isseeking damages asof this date, though a Capitol spokesman did not rule out the possibility of this taking place at a later date.
In its motion for injunction, Capitol claimed exclusive U. S. distribution rights to all recordings by the Beatles. The label accused Vee Jay of manufacturing and selling albums introducing the Beatles in violation of Capitol’s exclusive right.
Capitol contended in its suit that Vee Jay’s rights to the Beatles’ recording were canceled last August.
The suit notes that initially Vee Jay was licensed by Trans Global, a New York firm licensed to distribute EMI product. EMI had the original Beatles’ contract.
THE BEATLES 1963
Capitol claims that Trans Global canceled its contract with Vee Jay August 8 because of non-payment of royalties. Trans Global allegedly relinquished its rights to EMI with the latter then turning them over to Capitol.
Vee Jay, meanwhile, contends that it has a five-year contract with the Beatles and that it is definitely not in default for failure to pay royalties.
Capitol’s suit notes that the label has spent 550,000 in extensive nationwide promotion of the Beatles’ recordings. END
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Credit source information: Billboard, January 25, 1964
The Beatles and Frank Ifield on Vee-Jay Records, 1963
Capitol Records Slated to Release New Beatles LPs in U.S. after Christmas
HOLLYWOOD — Capitol is lining up Beatles material for a year-end sales splurge. Newest product in production is the LP “Beatles ’65,” which will be released the day after Christmas, featuring sevennew tunes by Lennon-McCartney.
The LP being produced by Dave Dexter will follow the two-record special, “The Beatles Story,” out later this month. Dexter said the new LP will not be identical to same titled album to be released in England because the group’s latest single, “I Feel Fine“ backed with “She’s A Woman,” will not be included.
Despite the many British rock guitar groups which have followed the Beatles, Dexter feels the Beatles are immune to weakening sales action. Since they were the first mop-tops, he feels they have captured the “hearts” of teen-agers. But he does say that new groups have to develop a different sound since the guitar sound is not new any more. END
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Information, credit and news source: BILLBOARD, November 28, 1964
THE BEATLES’ STORY Capitol Records, released November 23,1964
Nothing has ever happenedlike it before. This is the opinion of astute tradesters about the forthcoming Beatles tour.
Five months before the (Beatles) tour hits the road in August, promoters are selling out their one night stands to the armies of Beatles fans.
In Toronto, The Maple Gardens sold out its tickets to the Beatles September show in just a few hours. In New Orleans mail orders only in five days amounted to a $12,000 advance.
In Detroit, promoter Art Sheridan sold out the Liverpool Lads first show, has half sold the second (Sept 4), and is trying to convince the boys and manager Brian Epstein and GAC to let them do a third show. (P.S. They won’t).
Promoters are finding The Beatles the most saleable item since Elvis Presley. According to GAC spokesmen who are booking the four Liverpool lads, even Elvis didn’t sell out this far in advance.
The way the promoters are pushing the concerts are via a radio spot or two or a newspaper ad or two. And it works. Beatles fans apparently can’t get rid of their money fast enough, and the orders are pouring in.
In New York, where Bill Grumann of Limelight Productions is promoting the show at the Forest Hills L.I. Tennis Stadium August 28-29, reports are that both shows are already sold out too.
Promoters are paying a guarantee of $20,000 for weekday nights and $25,000 for weekend nights or 60 per cent of the net receipts, whichever is greater. These figures mean that a promoter has to gross close to $50,000 to break even.
At first this scared a lot of veteran promoters, who were trepidatious about The Beatles and concerned as to whether they would be as hot in August-September as they have been in January–February–March.
However, now that the lads are proving they can sell out the box office months before they come to town, many vet promoters are screaming for another chance. They are calling GAC and begging for dates. It’s too late for some of them, for most of the dates are filled, from California to New York and including Canada.
There appears to be little doubt today that The Beatles tour will gross over $2 million. For their end The Beatles stand a chance to take out $1 million. Seats are scaled at $3, $4, $5, with most of the orders for the $4 variety.
The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein arrived in New York from London last Friday to look over the tour scene, and to watch another act of his, Gerry and The Pacemakers, on CBS television’s The Ed Sullivan Show. All bookings for The Beatles tour are okayed by him, wherever he is. END
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Information, credit and news source: Music Business; May 9, 1964
Beatles’ George Chimes On Set of Group’s Second Major Motion Picture Film
MUSIC BUSINESS (4/14/1965) — “We arereallyenjoying making ‘Eight Arms To Hold You.’ It is a knockout!” George recently told Music Business. “Our travels have taken us pretty well all over the world but in this our being our second film, we filmed in three countries-Nassau in the Bahamas, Austria and of course England.
“The film plot is very involved and totally different from our previous film, “A Hard Day’s Night.’ The opening night scene is devoted to a high priestess, played by Eleanor Bron, in an Eastern temple. According to sacrificial rites the priestess must wear a ceremonial ring but it has fallen into the hands of Ringo Starr. That’s where we come in!
The Chase Scene
GEORGE HARRISON. Photo shot from a scene in the Beatles’ second film, ‘Eight Arms To Hold You‘.
“Gangsters, hired bythe cult, then chase us through the three countries mentioned, the first of which is England. Incidentally we filmed this part last and are in fact filming at the moment at Twickenham in Middlesex. In this part of the film chase scenes include a set with us fleeing down Salisbury plain in a television outside broadcast van!
“To escape we travel to Austria. Didn’t have any time to practice skiing, though. John was the only one who has ever tried his hand at it before. Unfortunately the script included a chase scene down a mountain slope on skis! So we were given a gentle but firm push and the film producer shouted ‘Action.’ Just as well it was only a short scene because we couldn’t keep upright for long!
“Austria was a dead loss as we couldn’t move from the village between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. because the only pass was closed owing to avalanches caused by melting snow.
“All we had time for was filming and had to get up at the unearthly hour of 5 a.m. to start. Who says it’s an easy life?
“The film script then demanded that we should go to the Bahamas, so off we were again, still being chased. I don’t think Ringo wanted the ring anyway! He’s got enough to last him a lifetime – every fan letter he gets has a ring in it and a ‘please wear it for me’ message! Fortunately he manages to get the ring off his finger and the film ends with another poor bloke being chased!
Confusing But Fun
“That’s the film plot – very confusing isn’t it, but we had a great laugh. I’d like to make films until I was pensioned off but I wouldn’t make them without John, Paul and Ringo. Filming is less strenuous than ballroom work but the hours are much longer and filming can become a drag when you have to spend three hours or more preparing a ten minute scene.
“I’d like to make a script myself but it would mean being off the scene for about nine months and I couldn’t afford that length of time. It might not be a good one anyway so I think it’s better for the professionals to do it.
“I’ve read the script for our next film, in which we play cowhands, and am really looking forward to making it. I’d like to take a week off before shooting commences and practice horse riding or it might end up like the skiing episode!” END
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Information, credit and news source: Music Business; April 14, 1965
NEW YORK — The recently released “Beatles’65” on Capitol which was No.98 on Billboard’s LP chart two weeks ago, soared to top position in the album chart last week. No album in the history of Billboard’s charts has ever scored such an advance in a single week.
The LP has just been certified by RIAA as a million-dollar LP. “The Beatles Story,” on Capitol, also was certified. Their cur- rent single is a winner, too.
To solidify their position in the pop record field, the Beatles also are holding down the top spot in the singles chart for the second consecutive week with “I Feel Fine.”
This isn’t the first time an album hit the top spot within a week after getting on the chart.“The Beatles Second Album” hit at 16and jumped to the top the following week. Another Beatles’ album, the United Artists “Hard Day’s Night” soundtrack, hit at No. 12 and topped the list a week later.
And in 1962, “The First Family” made its debut at No. 11and was No. 1,seven days later.
The Beatles now have six albums on the chart, three in the top 10.Five of the six disks are on Capitol; one is on United Artists.
During 1964, the Beatles held the top album position for 30 of 52 weeks. “A Hard Day’s Night” held the top position for 14 of these weeks, and “Meet The Beatles” led for 11 weeks. “The Beatles Second Album” was No.1for five weeks.
The album charts during 1964 showed relatively few changes in the top position. Only eight LP’s during the course of the year held the No.1position.
In addition to the Beatles’ album, other top LP’s were the “Hello Dolly” original cast version on RCA Victor, Louis Armstrong’s “Hello Dolly” on Kapp, Barbra Streisand’s “People” on Columbia, “The Beach Boys Concert” on Capitol, and “The Singing Nun” on Philips. END
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Information credit and news source: Billboard, January 16, 1965
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