Interview for WABC • Monday, August 22, 1966

Interview

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The Beatles flew to New York City on August 22, 1966, after their concert in St. Louis the previous day. They arrived at 3:50 AM and were taken to the Warwick Hotel, where they gave a press conference for journalists. Later that day, they held a second press conference for young fans, which was known as the “Junior Press Conference.“ The Beatles were also interviewed by New York DJ Bruce Morrow.

On August 23, a little over a year after their first triumphant appearance at New York’s Shea Stadium, The Beatles returned to Shea Stadium for a single concert.

From “That Magic Feeling: The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966-1970” by John C. Winn:

As usual, New York DJ “Cousin Brucie” Morrow taped exclusive interviews with the Beatles when they came through town. These were apparently conducted immediately following both press conferences, and aired live on the Cousin Brucie Show, although the circulating tape is from a rebroadcast.

Beatle number 1 is John and topic number 1 is you-know-what. Morrow wonders why the controversy didn’t take hold in Britain, and John replies that “there’s no sort of DJs needing publicity in England,” referring to the Birmingham, Alabama, bonfire organizers. After describing the chaotic Cleveland concert, John is offered the microphone to say whatever he wants, but demurs: “I’m not a famous ad-libber like they think. And I don’t want to take over the show—it’s your show Bruce, you do it.”

Morrow talks to Paul next, and asks him to classify the nature of his relationship to Jane Asher. Paul responds cheerily, “We’re just queer. That’s the scene. But, I mean, I couldn’t say that on the air live, y’know.” Follow-up questions about dating preferences get nowhere, so the topic shifts to Paul’s farm and then John’s religious troubles. Paul acknowledges that he was apprehensive about being attacked by people “with masks” (presumably the KKK), but feels it’s all been cleared up as well as can be expected. As John had, Paul puts it all down to the Birmingham radio station trying to drum up ratings.

George is in fine laconic form when asked what Indian music is (“It’s music that comes from India”). He speaks sincerely about music for a minute, but then Morrow makes the tactical error of asking George about other professional ambitions. “I’d like to be a bricklayer,” he responds earnestly.

Ringo chats about his son, Zak, and is beginning to discuss the “butcher cover” when everyone else begins to leave the room. Ringo politely stays behind to answer a few more questions about Shea Stadium and the St. Christopher medal he had lost back in 1964, and which Morrow and WABC had helped him to reclaim.

From “That Magic Feeling: The Beatles’ Recorded Legacy, Volume Two, 1966-1970” by John C. Winn

Last updated on October 21, 2023