From the press call for Top of The Pops June 16th, 1966¨ |
That changed on the 16th of June 1966, with a studio performance of new single "Paperback Writer". The Beatles had agreed two days previously, when manager Brian Epstein passed on a request from Top Of The Pops producer Johnnie Stewart. Unusually, on this occasion The Beatles agreed.
The group arrived at BBC Television Centre at 2.30pm for a rehearsal for the camera, and to pose for publicity photographs and conduct press interviews. More rehearsals followed between 4.15pm and 5.30, and from 6.30pm to 7pm.
The live broadcast took place between 7.30pm and 8pm on BBC One. The Beatles were the final act to appear, and mimed to both "Paperback Writer" and its b-side, "Rain". They were introduced by host Pete Murray.
From the performance: The Beatles mime to "Rain" and "Paperback Writer". |
And today, UK newspaper Sunday Mirror rekindled that hope, as this clip shows:
Newspaper clipping from today's Sunday Mirror. |
A: You could be on to a Fab Fourtune here. The Beatles were introduced by DJ Pete Murray and the appearance has drawn lots of comment on internet forums. Depending on how many - if any - other tapes are out there, yours could be worth several thousand pounds. It certainly requires an in-person inspection.
Of course, the figure of "several thousand pounds" will only be realised if a collector is interested in buying the clip, which will then have to be sold without any copyright. The BBC do not have a policy of paying for material they themselves have lost over the years.
Thanks go to our reader Chris Fisher, who sent us the newspaper clipping!
This was The Beatles' last performance on a TV pop show, and as far as we know, the only time this performance of "Rain" was televised.
"Paperback Writer" was repeated 17 June 1966 BBC2 'Line-up Review'
"Paperback Writer" was repeated 30 June 1966 BBC1 'Top Of The Pops'
"Paperback Writer" was repeated 26 December 1966 BBC1 'Top Of the Pops '66'
Sample photo from the 8mm cine film. |
The text about The Beatles' TV-appearance on June 16 courtesy of The Beatles Bible.
7 comments:
Does he have "Rain" too?
"The BBC do not have a policy of paying for material they themselves have lost over the years" So bureaucracy would lead this to being stored away by a collector forever? Well that's awesome. :(
Is this the same 11-second clip that was found last year? Whatever, those who are expecting full length footage in a similar quality to The Hollies performance are likely to be disappointed!
Yes! Bring it on...
I'm sure Apple Records would be interested in buying it.
I'm pretty sure Apple would not be interested, not in a poor quality, filmed-from-TV, 11-second clip, of a song they already have in at least 7 other different versions.
Much as I welcome ANY newly found footage, I've never quite regarded this TOTP performance as the 'holy grail'. Among the other 'lost' songs The Beatles performed on TV are 'P.S. I Love You', 'Ask Me Why', 'Thank You Girl', 'Yes It Is' (3 times) and 'Eight Days A Week'... any one of these would be far more exciting finds in my opinion, as would Ringo's 1969 solo performance of 'Octopus's Garden'.
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