Interview for WCFL • Wednesday, August 17, 1966

Interview

This interview remains the property of the respective copyright owner, and no implication of ownership by us is intended or should be inferred. Any copyright owner who wants something removed should contact us and we will do so immediately.

Throughout their 1966 US tour, some journalists had the opportunity to travel with The Beatles and hold in-depth “taping sessions” in their hotels or dressing rooms. These sessions allowed the journalists to interview each Beatle more deeply than was possible at press conferences.

Among the journalists who had this privilege were Judith Sims and Bess Coleman of TeenSet US magazine, Jim Stagg of WCFL Chicago radio station, Kenny Everett of Radio London, and Jerry Leighton of Radio Caroline.

On this day, August 17, The Beatles played two concerts at the Maple Leaf Gardens. The first, at 4 pm, drew a crowd of 15,000, while the second, at 8 pm, saw an audience of 17,000. In the interlude between the two concerts, The Beatles faced the media in a press conference.

Following the press conference, Jim Stagg taped brief interviews with each Beatle.

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

Unfortunately, the horrendous quality of my copy makes it difficult to decipher all of the conversations, but there seems to be a common theme: aging gracefully as pop stars.

George expresses satisfaction with the growing sophistication in rock lyrics; Paul agrees that they have matured, although it conjures up images of a “very old man with a pipe and slippers” in his mind; John compares their development under the spotlight to bananas being force-grown in a hothouse; Ringo cautions not to take everything they say seriously, as being famous shouldn’t give their opinions any more weight.

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

Last updated on October 21, 2023