Beatles are as Strong as Ever! (1965)

 

 

Beatles Are as Strong as Ever!

By Bob Lamb

The Macon News

August 22, 1965

 

The huge electronic sign read,” Yeah, Yeah, the Beatles are Here Tonight” as multitudes of teens, pre-teens, and older folks stood outside the iron gates of the Atlanta Stadium. Cars whizzed to and fro on the expressway that encircled the stadium as the Atlanta afternoon rush hour carried 1000s past on their daily trip to the suburbs.

 Across the street, money-hocking vendors began setting up their shops of Beatles wares, and part of the extra 150-man police force directed early arrivals into the stadium's vast parking lot.

Some of the multitudes just stood around talking about the concert, which was a mere three and a half hours away. But for the most part, the group just lounged in front of the press gate as reporters and newsmen attempted to squeeze into the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the assembled group marched in mass toward the basement locker room of the Atlanta baseball Braves, where the press conference was to be held. Amid the marching down the ramp, shouts and pleas came from the frantic fans with suggestions on what to ask during the press conference or even requests for autographs.

At the doors of the locker room, credentials were once again checked just to be positive that all who entered the room were authorized personnel. Television lights had been set up, and an assortment of technicians crowded around the equipment, making last-minute adjustments. Atlanta music maker Paul Drew introduced the Beatles press officer Tony Barrow, who spoke of the ground rules for the conference. Then the millionaire four entered.

 After a picture-taking session, the Beatles lounged behind a rather thinly shaped conference table and fielded questions with the agility of an all-star shortstop. Questions came quickly, and so did the answers. The Beatles sprinkled most of the replies with wit and often evasiveness. The group's private and professional life was probed by the questions, which were sometimes ridiculous, such as, “What does Ringo eat for breakfast?” Ringo did not reply.

Ringo was asked what he and his wife, the former Maureen Cox, planned to call their new baby. He replied that no name has yet been decided upon. Paul was questioned about his supposed engagement to an 18-year-old British film starlet, Jane Asher. He said that he had heard it so much that he was getting to believe it. Ringo and George replied together with the name of Macon's own Otis Redding when the group was asked what American artists they liked.  John chimed in, “And don't forget James Brown.” Maconites don't forget brown either. He's another local star. The group said they like Elvis Presley's earlier records, but Ringo concluded, “he's a middle-aged man now.”

 During the press conference section, Ringo just stared back at the press while George looked around and drummed his fingers on the top of the table. Paul whistled a lot, but remained mostly quiet during the session, while John was just the opposite.

 The group was dressed in all sorts of outfits for the occasion, and no one was dressed any way alike. The rundown shows Paul: casual suit and sport shirt, Ringo: striped coat and red and white tee shirt, George:  tan shirt with 007 t-shirt underneath and blue jeans, and John:  sailor's cap with sports jacket and slacks.

 Later, this reporter was given additional time with the Beatles since I was the only reporter out of the lot to attend the group's press conference in Jacksonville, Florida last year. During this time, I asked the question submitted by the winners of a contest over radio station, W NEX.  Unfortunately, the tape recorder which I used for the questions was defective, and the additional time was foiled.

However, questions and answers were 1. What do you like best about being famous? Answer: The group all agreed on” the money”.   2. Where do you get the ideas for your songs?  Answer:  “from John and Paul's heads.”  3.  Ringo, does your nose wiggle when you talk? Answer:  “I never noticed it.”  4. How do your receptions here compare with elsewhere? Answer:  “Much, much better here. The kids are a lot crazier.”

 Winners were Betty Lockhart, first place, Gene Simmons, second place, and tied for third were Valerie Norris and March Hall. The questions ended the private session, and I walked from underneath the stadium with a better impression than they gave me a year ago in Jacksonville. No doubt about it, what they have created in less than two years is going to be around for a long, long time.