Beatles Tell Memphis Newsmen They
like Negro Vocal Groups
Jet Magazine September 1966
When Four long-haired Britishers—John
Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harris (sic) and Ringo Starr – known professionally
as the Beatles –sang to a Memphis, Tenn audience of 20, 128 (which included two
performances) only a handful of Negroes were spotted. Included among the screaming fans was Carla
Thomas, a top recording star who current disk B-A-B-Y has caused many screams
at rock n roll concerts Carla, without
reservation, let it be known that “I am a Beatle fan.” Carla continued, “:I’ve always wanted to see
them in person but was disappointed because I couldn’t hear anything for all of
the screaming teenagers. I like them,
especially Paul.” Between
performances, the notorious foursome held a 25 minute so called “press”
conference which was no place for a working newsmen (teenage girls broke It up
with their screams). Paul McCartney,
seemingly the happiest of the four, didn’t hesitate to answer, “We like
American colored groups,” when a reporter asked, “Who is your (The Beatles)
favorite American singer?” John Lennon,
the most talkative member of the British quartet, confirmed that last spring
they planned to record an album in Memphis but “little things like money” kept
getting in the way. Lennon noted that, “We
would love to record with Booker T. and the MG’s” Booker T. Jones, a recent graduate of
Indiana University, is a Memphian who hit it big several years ago with “Green Onions”
His latest platter is “My Sweet Potato” Touring with the Beatles on their second
American tour were the Ronettes and Nashville born singer Bobby Hebb. Just before taking to the stage for their
final Memphis show, Beatle Manager Brian Epstein permitted only one
photographer (of more than 150 reporters and photographers) inside their dressing
room—Jet’s Memphis lensman Mark Stansbury.
Love these pics, I've never seen them before!
ReplyDeleteI especially like that this is in MEMPHIS! The KKK is out there protesting, meanwhile backstage the Beatles are hanging with Bobby Hebb, doing a photo op with him, rubbing it in the bigots' noses. Who's on the right side of history now, KKK?!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that Carla Thomas was in the audience!!!
On the same tour, Ebony did a profile of The Ronettes on the Beatles tour (I think I sent that to you a long time ago, and in fact, you may have it here already....if you don't though, let me know! - Michael!)
George Harris is a legend.
ReplyDelete