This week, I have been posting interviews that the Beatles gave to various U.S. disc jockeys for Datebook magazine during the 1965 North American tour. The last one I have isn't an interview but more of a reflection written by Jim Stagg.
Chicago's Jim Stagg, host of "The Stagg Line" on WCFL from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, is generally ackowledged to be one of America's top D.J.'s. Before his DJ days, Jim sang on radio stations in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Cleveland and even had his own album of songs -- 18 copies sold, according to Jim. And all to his mother. Right now, Jim feels that protest music is "a good indication that young people are thinking more and more about today's problems and issues -- much more than my generation did." He's 30, by the way.
Jim accompanied the Fab Four on their 1964 trip as well as the 1965 tour. Following are excerpts from Jim's interviews with the Boys as well as his personal impressions of them.
Have the Beatles changed since the last tour? No, I don't think so. They're just as unassuming as ever. They reflect an air of satisfaction and contentment. They've arrived, and they're basking in the warmth of it. As George Harrison said, "We don't have to prove nothin' to nobody."
Regarding the controversy over their Order of the British Empire, John Lennon told me, "It's the highest honor we could ever achieve. All of the other people who received the medal got it because they killed other human beings. We have earned ours by entertaining them. Consequently, we deserve them more."
Has marriage changed Ringo? Ringo told me, "The most important element in marriage is a willingness to compromise." I think marriage has changed Ringo. He's a little more serious than he was, a little less flamboyant, and perhaps becomes irritated more quickly than he used to. He's still the same warm and sincere individual and perhaps the least assuming of the entire group. He doesn't put on airs. He's just plain Ringo.
I asked the Beatles, "Could any one of you alone be as big asd as successful by himself without the other three?"
They all agreed, "No, it could never happen."
But Ringo added, "If any one of us could ever achieve success by himself, it would be Paul McCartney. He's got the looks. He's got the best voice. And he's a talented songwriter. And besides all that, he's such a dolly!"
Hundreds of girls have asked me the same question. "Are the Beatles REALLY as nice and friendly as they look?" My answer? Yes, dear little Beatleful girls. They are not only nice and friendly, but they are perfect gentlemen until they are bugged! (You should pardon the expression)
For instance, they all but tear their famous moptops out when they are asked the following question by interviewers: "What are you going to do when The Bubble bursts?" And you can't blame them for being irritated at things like that - they're entitled to revolt.
How do they feel about the latest fashions? Paul McCartney told me, "I like girls' skirts about the knee. Why shouldn't I? They've got such pretty knees!"
Every one of the quotes in that piece sounds made up. The only one remotely plausible is Mac's mention of girls' knees.
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