Hang in there John

Peeking behind the scenes

Photo by Curt Gunther 

Towel Boy

photo by Curt Gunther

What a job that must have been---to be in charge of handing the towels to the sweaty Beatles as they came off the stage.   It looks like Paul needs it the most.   I think Paul is always sweating!

Beautiful Boys at the ranch

I think that the photos Curt Gunther took of the Beatles at Reed Pigman's ranch are some of the most beautiful photos of the guys ever.   Thank you Mr. Gunther for taking such nice photos of our boys.

Backstage girls

I was looking at my copy of Curt Gunther's wonderful photo book of the Beatles 1964 tour and noticed these backstage photos from Baltimore.  These two girls are in most of the photos and they are just sitting on a couch.  I wonder who they are and what they were doing hanging out with the Beatles.  Were they reporters?   Fans?   Girls that the Beatles (or one of the other guys) chose to party with?  

photos by Curt Gunther

A walk with Richy

photo by Curt Gunther

Exhausted

I am not sure when during the Beatles 1964 tour this photo was taken.  I like to think that it was taken from the flight leaving Montreal to Key West, Florida where the Beatles were taking an unexpected side-trip due to Hurricane Dora hitting the area where they were originally intended to land.    Poor Derek would have been exhausted by this point in the tour and in need of a break while you spot Paul and John in the background chatting with someone.  

photo by Curt Gunther

Fans Pout, Plot to get near idols-it's do use

photo by Curt Gunther

photo by Curt Gunther

Photo by Curt Gunther

Disgruntled teenagers stalked the Beatles at the Speedway Motel today while other clever fans converged on the State Fairgrounds to plan strategy so they can be near the ragmops tonight.

Sleuthful efforts at both places were squelched by the forces of the law and led to such comments as that by Marie Halligan, 16, in her attempt to get close to the motel where the Beatles are staying, "I'm so angry.  We can't get within 500 miles of them." 

It was the same for about 50 other fans who found the Beatles' whereabouts at the motel.  State troopers and sheriff's deputies cordoned off the motel, and at one time 30 policemen were parked in the motel's parking lot.

One mother registered herself and two daughters in the motel to get close to the Beatles.

The Beatles were said to be camped out in either Rooms 222 or 224, and troopers turned windows on the second floor into guard towers.

The fans at Speedway were being kept on the south side of 16th Street across from the motel.

William Cash, 14, saved somewhat, at least, the day for the outsiders.  He said he was part-time bus boy in the motel and reported "with authority" that the Beatles had boiled eggs, toast, and coffee for breakfast.

The motel situation after the Beatles' arrival here today was so hectic that the press contingent had to sleep on the floor of a locker room last night.  Seven representatives of the foreign press were among the crew.

Winner of the "I want to meet a Beatle because..." contest

In 1964, the Indianapolis News newspaper held a contest called "I want to meet a Beatle because...." and the winner was 15 year old Elaine May.    Elaine got to attend the Indianapolis press conference and during the questioning she was allowed to ask a question.   She asked John if he was going to write another book after his first, "In his own write."  John answered her by saying, "Yes, tomorrow."

Afterward she presented the Beatles with an original Beatle  editorial cartoon by the newspaper's cartoonist, Robbie Robinson. 

Elaine May  meets with the Beatles -- photo by Curt Gunther

Paul holds up the newspaper with Elaine in the background--photo by Curt Gunther

The Beatles with contest winner, Elaine.  Photo by Nick Longworth

Airport wind

Photo by Curt Gunther

Two girls and one McCartney

Photos by Curt Gunther

These girls seem to be beside themselves meeting Paul.  I love their expressions.  

Two anxious ladies

photo by Curt Gunther

Take a look at those two ladies on the side there.   They are a bit older than the typical Beatlemaniac in 1964, but it appears that they had been bitten by the Beatles Bug just as much as the younger girls.   The one lady looks like she is about to jump out of her own skin at the sight of Paul.   George seems to notice them standing there.   I wonder if they went up and asked for an autograph or said hi after this photo was snapped.   There only seems to be that one cop, they could have taken him down easy.   hahaha!!

Signing one for the kids

Photo by Curt Gunther

How many times did the Beatles stop and sign something for the kids of the police officers?   It paid to be the daughter or son of a 1960's cop I guess!