Top Of The Pops

After a week of filming “Help!” at Twickenham Film Studios, The Beatles spent this Saturday at Riverside Studios in London recording mimed performances of “Ticket To Ride” and “Yes It Is“, the A- and B-sides of their new single, for the BBC television programme “Top Of The Pops“.

This was the last time the group recorded a mimed performance exclusively for the show. Rehearsals and filming began at 1.30 pm. The Beatles wore the military-style jackets they had worn during the Bahamas location shoot for “Help!” and would later wear at their concert at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965.

The edition of “Top Of The Pops” featuring the performances was broadcast on Thursday, April 15, from 7.30 to 8.00 pm.

As was common practice at the time, the BBC did not retain a recording of the programme. However, a brief excerpt of The Beatles performing “Ticket To Ride” was incorporated into “The Executioners“, the first episode of the six-part “Doctor Who” serial “The Chase“, which was first broadcast on May 22, 1965. Although the original “Top Of The Pops” episode is lost, this “Doctor Who” episode survives, preserving a short fragment of The Beatles’ performance from this day.

The “Doctor Who” production team had originally planned to feature The Beatles appearing as themselves in a futuristic setting, wearing make-up to make them look older. Brian Epstein objected to the idea, prompting the producers to use the existing “Top Of The Pops” footage instead.

Riverside Studios

This was the 1st concert played at Riverside Studios.

A total of 2 concerts have been played there • 1965 • Apr 15• 1997 • Jun 27

Setlist for the concert

1. Ticket To Ride Mimed

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

   

2. Yes It Is Mimed

   Written by Lennon - McCartney

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