Leigh Can't Find Her Beatles in Smoke Filled Room (1965)

Would you have recognized this face if you saw it? (I would!)

 Leigh Can't Find Her Beatles in Smoke Filled Room

By Leigh Kimbrough

The Atlanta Constitution

August 14, 1965

Leigh Kimbrough, a 1965 graduate of Cross Keys High School, interviewed the Beatles before their September 11, 1964, appearance in Jacksonville, Florida.

     Imagine what it would be like to elbow your way into a smoke-filled room crowded with people, glance helplessly around, looking for a familiar face, and finally, get up the courage to ask a stranger for help. "Excuse me, sir," you mutter, "Are the Beatles here yet?" "No, they aren't," Is  the obviously annoyed answer you get from the very British stranger who immediately turns his back on you and continues talking to his companion.

     You, one of the most loyal Beatles fans of them all, stand there for  a minute mentally scratching your head. (The room is too crowded to scratch physically.)

     "I've know I've seen him somewhere before," you think, searching your memory book of faces for the right name. Then the light dawns. It could only be one person: John Lennon!

     That's how it happened to yours truly in Jacksonville last fall, and that's how it's likely to happen at the press conference in Atlanta next week. The Beatles, John, Paul, Ringo, and George mill around in the crowd until the time for the conference.

     They aren't dressed alike, as they are for performances, but wear a variety of street clothes, and with the current male trend towards shaggy haircuts, it's hard to distinguish the Liverpudlians from many other rockers, even though you've gazed at 1000 photographs of the foursome. You've heard about their sarcastic, funny answers to the questions fired at them by journalists and prying fans. You get a real sampling of it when the press gathering begins. Here are a few of the questions and answers from the Jacksonville press conference.

     Q: What do you think of American food? 

    A: Can't stand it, especially hotel food. (Meanwhile, they're stuffing themselves on food provided by the hotel where they were staying.)

     Q: Do you ever go unnoticed? 

    A: Only when we take off our wigs. 

    Q: Does your hair need any special attention?

     A: No, mostly inattention.

 The two married Beatles shy away from questions about their wives, and all four, if they don't like the question that's asked, will answer in monosyllables or not at all. 

    Speaking of wives, a large assortment of females, tall ones and short ones, blondes and redheads, are likely to try the old ruse "I'm Cynthia Lennon. Please let me through to see my husband." One woman who resembled Fidel Castro without a beard tried to crash the gates in Jacksonville by insisting that she was Mrs. Lennon. Understandably, she got nowhere. 

Beatlemania Has Finally Struck Us Too! (1964)

Beatlemania Has Finally Struck Us Too!

By Bob Lamb

The Macon Telegraph

September 13, 1964 

     Somehow, this sunny seaport town in northern Florida will never be the same again after both Hurricane Dora and the Beatles visited here this past week, and it's difficult to tell who did the most damage. Naturally, Dora accounted for the most damage in dollars and cents, but the Beatles inflicted their own sort of damage in a performance Friday night before a howling, screaming crowd of nearly 40,000 persons in Jacksonville's Gator Bowl.

     On a 15 foot high stage behind a six foot high fence, and with 40 uniformed policemen standing in front of the fence, the Beatles strummed and pounded out 11 of their multi selling hit records, while the wild teenagers in the crowd clapped hands, stamped feet, screamed at the top of their lungs and finally cried openly.

     From the beginning, when the Beatles opened with "Twist and Shout" until they ended the program with "Long Tall Sally", it was almost impossible to hear, except for a few moments when the crowd's thunderous roar lowered to a loud shrill. The high points of the Beatles' show came with Ringo Starr singing "Boys", and it set the crowd into its highest peak of noise for the entire evening. It was easy to see that Ringo, along with the smooth-talking Paul McCartney, were the crowd favorites. The crowd shouted madly anytime Paul tried to announce a song or sing a special part to a number. In fact, the crowd just plain shouted at anything any of the Beatles tried to do. 

    The group's magnetism over an audience is almost unbelievable. Offstage, however, the Beatles presented a quiet, reserved, and well-mannered impression, typical of what one would expect from British people. Once they appeared on stage, this changed greatly, and their uninhibited antics drove audiences into piercing shrieks.

     Except for a larger number of policemen leading the Beatles everywhere they went, Friday's interview with the group was just like  most any other press interview, with just simple questions and answers. The boys sat in the ballroom of a Jacksonville hotel and politely answered questions from myself and 18 other reporters.

     Earlier at a Jacksonville radio station, The Beatles held another interview with a smaller number of reporters attending. The boys said that their brand of music has been greatly influenced by American rock and roll stars such as Macon's own Little Richard, Elvis Presley, GeneVincent, and Bill Haley. This reporter had mentioned to the group that Little Richard originated from Macon, and then they talked about the big success that Little Richard had created for himself in England. They wanted to know about Macon and about other big-name performers from this town. They also said they admired the performances of the fabulous James Brown.

    The Beatles' dress for the occasion was a large mixture of assorted clothing. Paul, wearing a tan Beatle suit with a blue-gray, white striped shirt, was propped against the end of the conference table, answering most of the questions. Next to Paul sat George Harrison, who was wearing a gray suit with a red and white striped shirt, and at the other end of the table was Ringo, dressed in a blue-gray checkered suit with a checkered shirt and wearing that pair of blue eyes that look as if he's lost his best friend.

     During the interview, the Beatles talked about their plans for the future should their entertainment bubble burst. To this question, Paul and John said they would probably keep on writing songs, while Ringo and George said they didn't have any idea. But after selling 30 million records, who needs an idea? 

    The boys talked about their start back in Liverpool, England, in 1956 under the direction of Brian Epstein, who is sometimes called the fifth Beatle. It was in 1956 that the boys began their long trip on the entertainment road. But it wasn't until the latter part of 1963 when they were brought to this country, did they make such a sensation. But once arriving in this country, they have been nothing short of sensational. The records sell at such a furious pace that they have been easily installed as the number one recording group in the entire world. Beatles tours are booked solid, and their performances are always packed. When you count their countless fans, this town was no different. 

    The show Friday night opened with several big-name recording artists, such as the Bill Black Combo, the Exciters, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and Jackie de Shannon. This part of the program was a complete surprise since it was not announced to the press.

Chasing the Beatles: A Hard Day's Night (Mare) (1964)

 

Chasing the Beatles:  A Hard Day's Night (mare)

By Courtenay O'Connell

Tampa Bay Times

September 13, 1964

(Editor's Note. Courtenay O'Connell, one of the Beatles' most extraordinary 13-year-old fans, was sent to Jacksonville to report on Friday night's appearance of her idols. Courtenay, 730, 3/17, Avenue North St Petersburg wrote a letter to the editor of the Times to get this assignment. She looked radiantly happy as she typed her story yesterday, but the disappointment showed through. She had not interviewed Paul John, George, and Ringo.)

     Four, polite, young English boys every girl in the world wants to meet are the Beatles, and I still do. I wouldn't be saying this, though, if I had been informed sooner that there was to be a press conference in the afternoon, I might have even gotten an interview later in the day, but I needed more than just a simple press card.

     It all began Friday, a day full of unexpected disappointments and wonderful fun adding up to A Hard Day's Night, to quote a famous movie title.

     Arriving by train with my sister, Maureen, and Cathie Brydabel, a friend. We were happy and gay, ready to work. As we stepped off the train, some 498 other girls and boys streamed out of 10 well-packed cars, pushing and shoving, running and jumping onto all the buses.

        Everyone had settled down in their seats, ready to start off for the Gator Bowl, quite a few miles out of town. We arrived at the Gator Bowl at 8pm with half an hour to find and interview the Beatles. Our hopes held high, we asked a young man from WAPE to help us, but found out that even a person with the highest credentials couldn't get more than 10 feet away from the Beatles. When asking more than five policemen, the story was the same to us. Though it really meant, "if you missed the press conference, it's your own fault". 

    The show began at 8:30 p.m., starting with three performances by a band, three singers, and a girl who sang one or two songs.  To a child ahead of us, it was considered quite boring. My sister and I felt the same. The Beatles were last coming on at 10pm, and the applause was terrific, followed by shrieks and screams. 

    They sang eight songs, each singing a solo. Paul sang, "Close Your Eyes". George swung it with "Roll Over Beethoven". John sang a number from their movie, "If I Fell" and Ringo wowed the girls with "Boys". Other numbers were "Can't Buy Me Love," "A Hard Day's Night," "She Loves You," and "Things We Said Today."

     To add to this setting, two hilarious things happened. To start it off, after two or three songs, John Lennon announced," Now we're all going to clap our hands and stomp our feet and make a lot of noise because we can't hear you."  He was stomping his feet and clapping his hands so wildly that he hit George in the face by accident. Also when he said, "because we can't hear you", I thought they all must be wearing earplugs.

    

     To top it off, during one of their numbers, Ringo, the drummer, dropped his onyx ring, which he wears on his left hand. While catching it, he missed a beat, which made lead guitarist George very angry. This is mostly because George follows Ringo's rhythm.

     When the four announced their last song, wails of despair rose, and girls raced to the platform, crying and screaming. The only two things that held them back were policemen and a fence. Cathie Brydabel peeked through a crack in the raised platform and saw John Lennon stooping over.

    We had to leave, though, but as we did, I found out all cameras had been banned. I also found out that a girl was about to snap a picture of the Beatles when a policeman snatched her camera away. 

    When we arrived at the train station, we got in the car and settled down. It left after midnight, and for the next four hours, some of us slept, some ate, and some just talked. When we arrived in St Petersburg, we couldn't believe it was over, but next year we'll be there ready to get the perfect story. Wherever they may be. 

Girl Touches Beatle Paul

 

Girl Touches Beatle Paul

By Lynn Birch

The Macon News

September 13, 1964

    "The Beatles have made more of an impact on Jacksonville than the hurricane did," said one of the many policemen on duty at the Beatles concert here. In my opinion, he was right, And I was there.

     Since the policeman's statement may seem rather incredible, I will explain it by relating my own experiences in Jacksonville on Friday, September 11.  After buying a ticket and getting a motel room, I went to the George Washington Hotel, where I had heard the Beatles would hold a press conference. 

    It was not difficult to figure out how they would enter the hotel, because one street was being blocked off at 5pm when I arrived.  At 6pm the time for the press conference, a crowd of about 200 fans approached. I had decided that the Beatles would probably go in the side door, which was one of two possible entrances. I planted myself firmly in front of it and thought I might even be able to get an autograph. Suddenly, they arrived, and much to my horror, they went through the other door.

    Nevertheless, I did see George and Ringo quite well. After abandoning all pretenses of sophistication, I screamed like everyone else and rushed to the auditorium where the press conference was being held. The police formed a line across the entrance, but we caught glimpses of the Beatles when someone would go in or out. The noise was deafening at these times. One boy had touched Paul, and everybody else had to touch the hand that touched Paul. 

    Soon, a mob gathered at the side door to see the Beatles leave. I saw the Beatles being driven into the garage and ran after it. Luck was with me for after a fair struggle with other people who had the same idea, I was standing beside the rear door of the car. The Beatles ran out of the building and piled into the back seat. Paul McCartney was the last one to get in the car, and I reached through the window and touched his arm. I don't suppose I will ever get over that. I saw all four of them very distinctly. They were not smiling and looked worried about getting out of the garage. For now, there were about 300 people pushing against the car. My straw pocketbook was crushed before I got out of the garage.

     Equipped with powerful binoculars, I went to the Gator Bowl and discovered that I had an excellent seat. Excitement was in the air, and it was fun watching the crowd before the show started. I bought a Beatles hat and portraits. Then I made the mistake of telling the girls behind me that I had touched Paul, and they asked me so many questions, and I wished even more than ever that the show would start.

     When it did, there were some other acts before the Beatles, and excitement mounted. Finally, they came on the stage, and the crowd went wild. It was difficult to hear the songs, as most of the estimated crowd of 40,000 people were screaming Ringo, George, Paul, or John as loud as they could. I wondered how their vocal chords could be strong enough to last the whole performance, but they did sing.

     The Beatles on television would not even have compared to seeing them in person. There were three main differences that I noticed. One, of course, is the wild, contagious enthusiasm of the crowd and the feeling of being part of the show. The other two concern the Beatles themselves. They move around the stage, which is more at a concert, and look like they're enjoying it as much as the audience. Also, they talk to the audience between songs. For instance, after their last song, Paul asked the audience if everyone had fun, "Yes, yes, yes!" roared the fans.

     I raced to the airport on the chance of getting one last glimpse of the Beatles and climbed a Rio Grande fence to get to the field. The Beatles were already on the plane.  I  joined a group of fans that were waving goodbye to them. Sadly, we watched the plane disappear.

     Although the Beatles are gone, I believe it will be a long time before, Jacksonville forgets them. I know that I will never forget the Beatles and that wonderful day in Jacksonville.

Man we were rockin' like a hurricane

 

September 11, 1964 - Jacksonville, FL 

In the eye of the storm

 September 11, 1964 

Hang on to your Beatle wigs

Hurricane Dora welcomes The Beatles to Jacksonville

Blow Away....

September 11, 1964 -  Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville concert memories

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/270194

 

                                                   photo by Vern Barchard

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269422

 

 

 

Concert Memories

I was at this concert. I recall the disappointment because the wind was blowing the Beatles’ hair back and their show stopping haircuts weren’t visible. I was seated on the ground, not too far from the stage. However, I could barely make out the words of any song due to the number of screaming females in the audience. It was insane! I don’t recall the number of opening acts listed here. I only remember one and that was a female group. I wish there was a poster to commemorate this event. I lost my tickets years ago. –Vickie

I was there, along with a friend. I was 15 yrs old. It was a very emotional experience for me. My dad drove us about 2 hours each way, on a rainy night. The fact that he was willing to do this is just a memorable as the actual concert. Wish I had kept my ticket stubs. --anonymous

I attended this show, as well…remembered the breeze and especially remembered the girls all screaming (I was only 12-years old and went with my 16-year old sister…who contributed to the screams). Had my dad’s WWII binoculars, so I got a good look at them. Still have my ticket…$5 for The Beatles! Not bad–John D.

A few of my friends and I won a trip up to Jacksonville from WQAM radio in Miami. We flew up with the DJs (the day after the hurricane), ate boxed lunch fried chicken on the plane, took a bus from the airport, and had seats on the very soggy field. I remember a really long wait ( but have absolutely no memory of any opening acts). The wind was blowing, it was a very short indecipherable concert – maybe 25 minutes tops . Could barely see the boys … or hear them over all the screaming. But… we were there! Best night of my young life!  --Donna

My best friend and I came from Atlanta by car and were worried about the weather and if the show would be cancelled. We skipped school (our Senior year) and also went to the New Orleans concert days later. We were not given permission to be away from school and caused our Principal to decide if we could graduate or not. All turned out well….but it was risky. Everyone knew we were going to see the Beatles no matter what! It was worth the trips and the risk. –Carol F.

"I was lucky enough to be on the 30-yard line. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring my glasses, so things were not all that clear. I could tell, however, that Ringo's cymbals and hair were blowing in the wind." They played a 30-minute set, but I don't think they did even 12 songs. Besides, I couldn't hear them for all the girls screaming."—Hal

At the time of the concert, the weather was still pretty bad and windy. We got to sit on the field, and everything was fine until everyone rushed the stage. I went right along with the crowd - a huge sea of people. My poor mother and brother were afraid I would be lost forever, but after a while I wandered back as if it were no big deal." –Kathy Q.

Beatles appear before 20,000

Beatles Appear Before 20,000 in the City
By Frank Murray
The Florida-Times Union
September 12, 1964

Twenty, thousand Beatle fans screamed, "We want the Beatles" at the Gator Bowl last night, while their idols refused to go on until newsreel and television news cameramen were forced to stop making movies.

When Beatles' press agent Derek Taylor stepped to the microphone shirt-sleeved and issued an ultimatum over the public address system, police physically restrained eight cameramen, covering their lenses with hands and leading them by the arm from the performance area.

Taylor said the film made as newsreels is ultimately sold and shown in movie theatres with no royalties paid to the shaggy quartet.

"The Beatles are 100 feet away," Taylor said, and the crowd shrieked.

"They came thousands of miles to be here.  The only thing preventing their appearance is cine cameramen."  Taylor said.

At that point, police led by Captains C.L. Raines and I.L. Griffin, ended the movie-making.  Extensive police precautions for the safety and security of the Beatles and the 20,000 persons who attended the show were a roaring success.

Except for one near-riot about 7pm in the parking garage of the George Washington Hotel, there were no incidents.

Then, however, the garage and the intersection of Julia and Monroe streets became a battle ground for 15 minutes between city police and more than 500 teenage Beatle fans.

The police, about two dozen strong, were trying their hardest to wrest the four shaggy haired singers from Liverpool, England from the hotel where they had just been hosts to about 150 persons at a press conference.

Surrounded by motorcycle patrolmen, the singers finally began a siren-heralded dash to their trailer hideaway at the Gator Bowl about 7:15pm.  They had spent 15 minutes coming from an elevator to the street -- perhaps 25 feet.

Hundreds of girls and few young boys in their teens screamed and clamored unsuccessfully for autographs.  Girls literally cried and danced, shouting 'I saw john" or "I saw Paul."

The Beatles, for those many parents who'd like to know what the shouting is about, are George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.  Three of them play guitars, Ringo pounds the drums and they all sing after a fashion.  Each of them has three times the normal amount of hair for young men with age (which is the early 20s).

Girls in the 12-20 age bracket think they're neat.

When the Beatles bomb a city, girls quiver and parents palpitate with concern for their offspring.

Last night about 30,000 persons paid $5 each to scream at the Beatles in the Gator Bowl while they screamed right back somewhat in rhythm.

One miss in that audience may have been happier than the rest.  She is Pam Creticos, 17, of Daytona Beach, a British exchange student.  She is  junior at Seabreeze High School, Daytona Beach.

Pam painted a picture of John, the married one, three months ago.  Since then it has rested on her bedroom floor.  Now, sigh, John has it.

Said Pam of the Beatles whom she has seen live once before in England.  "I don't really feel anything.  They're just people."  And that after John put his arm around her.

The boys sat in the ballroom of the George Washington answering generally inane questions inanely.  The few serious questions tossed their way drew the usual wisecrack or an "I don't know."

They munched on turkey sandwiches, sipped tea which they said wasn't as good as English tea and patiently, politely dealt with a group of reporters, who were outnumbered by teen-aged infiltrators.

Asked to rate their reception here with that in other cities.  George said, "Very poor,"  Ringo, referring to the lack of any reception, committee at the airport, said, "What reception?"

He found out when it took fifteen minutes for police to battle through 1,000 people including 500 clamoring young people to get the boys free from the hotel.

Today the boys fly to Boston.

The Beatles left Jacksonville in the post-midnight minutes this morning after successfully keeping their airplane location a secret.  No teenagers showed up at the airport after the show to wish them well.

A Florida Times-Union reporter did get aboard the plane, however, and talked briefly with Taylor., Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

Taylor was somewhat apologetic for the showdown he had brought about over the cameramen, but said a great deal of money was involved.  He said this was the first time in the tour history he had to make such a speech.

Through Dora was far gone, the winds in the park blew Beatle hair in all directions and, at times, threatened the instruments.

The Beatles are back!

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269426

                                                    photo by Vern Barchard      Annette Ramsey is in the top left.                                      

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269427

                                                       photo by Vern Barchard

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269425

                                      photo by Vern Barchard




Here are Annette Ramsey's memories of the Jacksonville, Florida Beatles as she reported on the Florida Memory Blog.



I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show and loved them! Especially Paul! My dad found out that they were going to tour the U.S. and would be performing at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. So he bought tickets from a radio station. Our tickets cost $4.00 each and we sat in the bleachers. For $5.00 you could sit in front of the stage!

 So the day of the concert came. It was September 11, 1964. I was 9 years old at the time and my dad was 39. A hurricane was predicted to come through…Hurricane Dora… and it did come the day before the concert. Because of the destruction my dad and I could not drive to Jacksonville as we had originally planned. My dad said to my mom “We have to find a way to get Annette to the concert and once we get there, we can figure out how to get back.” So my dad found a friend of a friend who had a commuter plane and he happened to have two seats available. It was my first plane ride! The Beatles plane landed right before ours and ours was still in the air but you could see them walk down the steps. The women in our plane took their shoes off and started beating them against the windows of the plane! Daddy was scared to death! When our plane landed everyone tried to run after the Beatles! But they were long gone.

 Since we had arrived several hours before the concert, my Dad decided we should go downtown and have dinner. He was in the mood for a nice steak! So we went to a restaurant that happened to be across the street from the George Washington Hotel. While we are waiting for our meal my dad saw a reporter with a badge that said “Tampa Times.” At the time we had two newspapers in Tampa, the Times and the Tribune. So Daddy asked him if he had seen the Beatles. He said yes that he had covered an interview with them across the street at the George Washington Hotel. He was a photographer and his name was Vernon Barchard. He said he would show us where they were going to come out. Of course I wanted to go right then but Daddy was going to have his steak! After we finished eating we went across the street with Vernon to the parking garage at the George Washington Hotel. After what seemed like hours to me (but really wasn’t) they got out from the elevator and they were literally pushed against the wall by all the screaming fans. Vernon positioned himself to take a picture and my dad held me on his shoulders. When Paul came out Daddy pointed at Vernon and said “Tell Paul to smile and take the picture.”

It was very hard for the Beatles to get into their car and leave. Female fans jumped on the car and beat the windows with their shoes like on the plane!

 I don’t remember how we got from the parking garage to the concert. We may have taken a cab? And I don’t remember any of the opening acts. The Beatles portion of the concert was late because photographers had been traveling around taking unauthorized film footage of them. The band wouldn’t start until they left. We sat in the bleachers. Our tickets cost $4.00 each. The bleachers shook because the women stamped their feet and you could hardly hear the Beatles because of the screaming! I have read that their set only lasted 37 minutes. It seemed longer to me.

 After the concert we met Vernon at a pre-arranged place and he drove us back to Tampa. A week later he mailed me these photos. I am happy to share the photos with other Beatles fans. I am planning to return to Jacksonville in October to see Paul McCartney. My dad said he’ll pass this time and let me go with my husband!!

In a car and airplane with them!

In Car and Airplane with (Shriek) them!
Writer not listed
Jacksonville Journal
September 11, 1964

The Beatles and I sped around that curved road at Evergreen Cemetery at 70 miles per hour, dodging trees and limbs felled by Hurricane Dora.

Then I boarded the Beatles' chartered plane and talked with John and Paul.

What a wild night, I felt the same sensation once before -- while riding the Coney Island roller coaster.

Derek Taylor, the Beatles press agent, broke a precedent and nearly shattered what was left of my nerves when he invited me aboard the plane parked at Imeson Airport.

He said I was the first reporter anywhere, other than newsmen who regularly travel with the Beatles, to board their plane and have an exclusive interview.

It all started when I knocked on the door of the house trailer under the north stands at the Gator Bowl which the Beatles were using for a dressing room.

Taylor stuck his head out the door.

I wanted to get a statement from him about a misunderstanding he and about eight movie film cameramen had.

Taylor had refused to let the Beatles perform until the movie-makers left the Gator Bowl last night.

Next thing I knew I was shoved into one of the racing cars awaiting the Beatles, who had just finished their show and were dashing for the cars like mad.

Girls screamed and grabbed for our cars as we raced out Gate 5.  I'm amazed that no one got killed.

The foursome had to change their clothes while being driven to the airport.

Paul McCartney saw me right away when I boarded the plane.  He looked shocked at first.  I guess he thought I was a stowaway.  But he was the friendliest of all the Beatles and the most talkative.

"It was a well behaved audience compared to some," Paul said.

All four were in a surprisingly good frame of mind, considering that they had just escaped several thousand screaming fans.

But they do have their little hideaways where they can relax and be undisturbed by loyal but sometimes annoying fans.

Paul said that sometimes they can even walk in and out of a London movie unnoticed.

"We just come after the lights go off and leave before they come on again."

The group enjoyed a restful day at Key West yesterday after being rerouted there by Hurricane Dora.

When someone asked them at the press conference held yesterday evening what they thought of Dora.  Paul said, "Dora?  Never met her."

Paul quickly corrected my pronunciation of the word golf when I asked him if he played the game in his spare time.

"It is g-uolf," he said in his brisk British accent.

I told him that he was in the wrong country to try to correct the English language..


"We invented the language, what do you mean?"  he said.

Ringo remarked that Jacksonville had given the four a very poor reception in comparison to other towns.

Diplomatic Paul added, "It was small but friendly."
"The hurricane blew them (the fans) away,"  George Harrison said.

The Beatles received a gold key to the city of Tampa and a trophy for being the "fabmost" from four unknown fans.

When asked what was the most unusual gift that they had ever received, John said very subtly, "I once got a bra."

They feel that their major contribution to the music world is just "a laugh and a smile."

All they could say about President Johnson's arriving in Jacksonville the same day they did was "Amazing timing."

Even the Beatles said that it will be interesting to see who draws the biggest crowd and the most police protection when they, President Johnson and Barry Goldwater all visit Dallas, Texas on the same day -- September 20.

Of all the Times to be Speechless

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269424

 

 

                                           photo by Vern Barchard

State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/269423

 

 

 

 

                                   photo by Vern Barchard                                   

If you'd like to read another story from this press conference, click here! 




Of All the Times to be Speechless
By Betty Walters
The Florida Times-Union
September 12, 1964

(Editor's note:  The following was written by Betty Walters, a teenage member of the Florida Times-Union new staff this summer.)

Of all times to be speechless!  We'd spent half an hour convincing the guards at the door we were of the magic press.  Another 15 minutes fighting our way through a mass of frantic teenagers.  We hobbled into the cool quiet of the George Washington auditorium.

And there they were, Paul sporting a tan Beatle suit, with blue-gray-white striped shirt was propped against the end of the conference table.   Next to him was George in a gray suit with red and white pin-striped shirt.   John was bombing around in khaki levis, brown suede jacket and yellow-black-white-tan striped shirt.  And there was Ringo -- with those big, sad, blue eyes -- dressed in a blue-gray checked outfit with his perennial checked shirt.

What do you ask the world-famous Beatles that they haven't been asked before?

It must have been because they did look like all their pictures that we were so snowed.  The Beatles image is definitely a true one.  They're ---well--- we'll let them speak for themselves.

As they munched casually on turkey sandwiches (which Paul offered to the press) and potato chips (which Ringo later tossed to George) -- the Beatles were not speechless.

Q:  Paul said ya'll were n actors.  Does this mean that in your movies you were just being yourselves?
John answered, "Both."  (Very British accent).

Q:  When were you acting?
A--John again:  We'd have to sit through and point out the parts as they came on (a gear suggestion for us!)

Q:  Does your hair require any special care?
A:  "Inattention is the main thing" from John.

Q:  Have you composed any new numbers over here?
A:  Two.

Q:  What are they?
Paul's answer, which we couldn't hear, brought a laugh.  Anyway, they wouldn't tell.

Q:  Do you ever go unnoticed?
A:  Paul quipped, "When we take our wigs off."

Q:  When do yo start your next movie?
A:  February.

Q"  If John doesn't like glasses, why doesn't he get contact lenses?
A:  "I've never taken time to go to an optometrist.  Besides, I wouldn't like glass in me head."

Q:  George, do you have a cousin named Ted?
A:  No!

Q:  What are each of ya'll's favorite songs?
A:  Paul, "If I Fell,"   George:  "You Can't do that,"  John:  "Bits and Pieces (Hmmmm---that's by the Dave Clark Five), Ringo:  "A Hard Day's Night."

Q:  How do you feel about ya'll and the President coming to town on the same day?
 A:  John spoke, "Amazing."

Q:  What do you think you've contributed to the musical field?
A:  Records (30 million) and George added, "A laugh and a smile."

Q:   Why do you avoid the press?
Paul answered this (He should be a diplomat -- he looked so concerned and all).  "We don't.  We do what the police -- the sheriff--the posse tell us."

Q:  What will you do when the bubble bursts?
Paul said he adn John might keep on with song writing.

But with personalities like these fellas, we predict the bubble will enjoy a long life.

About their personalities, they used all those terrific grimaces the EBatles are famous for (staring, chew their lips, winking).

Paul reminded us of a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar -- trying to talk his way out..  And we're sure he could.

George is sort of quiet, but his eyes don't miss a thing.  He's make a good judge.

John was a little bored.  He and Ringo were pretending to be airplanes.  They almost "took off" from the stage.

Ringo seemed a little depressed with the milk they gave him for supper.  But then, ole Richard Starkey always looks depressed, doesn't he?

Well, with only alittle over an hour before show time at the Gator Bowl, the press conference was over.

But going places isn't simple for a Beatle.  They were going to take the back elevator down to their waiting limousines.  But their fans had different ideas.

Thank you, fans.  We'd taken the back stairs.  (We had five minutes to do this story).  We met them agian in a tiny hallway with hundreds of teens screaming outside on Monroe Street.

Nothing fazes these guys -- someone asked them if they were ever nervous before a concert.  Paul had been presented with a giant golden key to somewhere.  He was tossing it around.  "With a key like this?  Never!"  And they were gone.

(These quotes may not be verbatim.  Our poor little minds are too snowed).

John Long in Jacksonville, FL

This story and photos appears on http://www.oidar.com/CHAPTER1.htm John Long was a beginning radio D.J. in his early 20's and a huge Beatlemaniac in 1964. He lived in LaGrange, Georgia and was able to score concert tickets because he had a Beatles record that wasn't yet released in the U.S. He traded that album to be taped by a big named Georgia DJ in exchange for a concert ticket.

On September 10, 1964 I drove to Jacksonville from LaGrange in my trusty
'55 Chevrolet. I hadn't told my parents that the National Weather Service was
predicting hurricane Dora was headed to Jacksonville along with the Beatles. I
made it to a little town outside Jacksonville that night, checked into a motel
with the winds gusting near hurricane strength. I admit that I was scared,
especially when the owner of the motel told me to push all the furniture in the
room against the window and door. I slept little as Dora churned to land, thru
Jacksonville, and very near where I huddled in the dark. The next morning at
daybreak I headed for Jacksonville witnessing the path of the storm along the
way. I was listening to WAPE, the legendary Big Ape. I decided to pay a visit to
the station. Orange Park is south of Jacksonville on Highway 17. When I pulled
into the station parking lot the first thing I saw was a swimming pool in front
of the station. As I walked in the front door of the station I was shocked to
see that the pool was also in the lobby. This was the coolest radio station I
had ever seen. The guy on the air waved for me to come over to the studio window
and spoke to me over an intercom. I told him that I was in Jacksonville
representing WQXI (I lied) at the Beatles concert. Instant credibility is what I
got. He was falling all over himself to help me in any way. He asked me if I was
going to the press conference. I didn't even know there was going to be a press
conference, but recognizing the opportunity to interview the Beatles, I lied
again and said yes. Now I had to find out where it the press conference was
going to be held. I asked him for directions to the hotel, banking on the
possibility it would be held at the hotel where they would be staying. He gave
me directions. I asked him what time I should leave to arrive on time. This gave
me the time of the press conference. He said he had to leave in shortly to go to
the naval air station for President Johnson's arrival to inspect the hurricane
damage. He invited me to go along. Since I had the rest of the day free I said
yes. We arrived at the base and he flashed his press credentials and told the mp
I was from an Atlanta station. No problem, the next thing I know were on the
press bus on the way to Jax beach. When we arrived I joined the throng of
reporters around the President with my trusty Sunbeam tape recorder. At the
right moment, I shook hands with him. He was bigger than life very tall and
looked like the president. I wish I had a picture of me shaking his hand. On the
bus ride back to the naval air station the guy from WAPE asked me what it was
like to work at a big station like WQXI. I managed to bullshit my way around his
question by asking him questions about WAPE and the swimming pool. He told me
the owner was a rich playboy who often entertained in a private apartment off
the lobby of the radio station. He told me about the girls who came out to the
station to swim in the pool at all hours of the day and night. Little did I know
that eleven years later I would be program director of WAPE. Of course by then,
the pool had been filled with dirt. Just my luck!



I walked into the ballroom at the hotel where the Beatles press
conference was to be held and Derek Taylor asked who I was and what station I
represented. I figured that I had better be truthful since he probably knew Paul
Drew and besides I had typed up official looking credential on WTRP stationery
just in case I needed them. He handed me a card identifying me as press, and
told me to use that to get backstage at the Gator Bowl. I had died and gone to
heaven. Never in my wildest dreams had I ever thought I'd be able to get
backstage at a Beatles concert. I had been successful getting backstage at a
couple of Dick Clark Cavalcade Of Stars shows in Montgomery, Alabama and
Columbus, Georgia, but this was unbelievable.


Taylor called the room to order and in marched the Beatles. I was on the
front row as the newspaper and TV people asked questions. Then it was radio's
turn and due to the hurricane, the number of stations there was small. I moved
right in and started asking questions. When I got to John, he said "you're no
radio DJ, that's not a tape recorder it's a shaver". I froze; he laughed. I
realized he was kidding me and asked him a question. I have the tape. There was
a teenage girl with a Polaroid camera taking pictures and I offered her five
bucks to take mine in front of the table with the Beatles in the background. She
did and handed it to me but refused the money. I stood starring at the picture
as it developed. After a few minutes I remembered that Polaroid pictures had to
have a chemical wipe after they the image fully emerged. I looked around for the
girl with the camera but he was nowhere to be found. The picture eventually
turned brown, but I have it hermetically sealed in
plastic.


I received an email with "LOOKING FOR JOHN LONG" in the subject line. Not uncommon since I get an average of two or three a week from people around the world who: are former co workers, long lost acquaintances or total strangers who stumbled across my web sit. This one was different. Here’s a condensed version of the email:
"I am looking to make contact with John Long. I read your online account of your extraordinary life and I believe you can help me. Like you, my sister (16 years old at the time) attended the Beatles press conference in Gainesville Florida in September, 1964 and the subsequent "Hurricane concert" at the Gator Bowl. My mother drove her and a friend from Miami to Gainesville. Also like you, she kind of "fudged" her way into the press conference with some sort of North Miami Senior High school newspaper reporter's credentials! At one point in the press conference, my sister must have been virtually right next to you, because she was taking pictures of the Beatles with her Polaroid camera and you are in one of those pictures! When I saw the picture you have online of you with the Beatles in the background I almost fell over. You are the boy in one of my sister's pictures. Anyway, she went up and had the Beatles sign some of her Polaroid’s of them. I remember her calling me back home in Miami long distance from a Howard Johnsons I think, to tell me she had just met the Beatles at the press conference and gotten their autographs. After the concert at the Gator Bowl, my mother, sister and her friend came back to Miami with the worst colds of their lives from the wind at the concert and told me that they had to have a guy onstage to "hold Ringo down" because he was ready to blow away".
That evening I arrived at the Gator Bowl early and took up my position under the stage. The wind was blowing like crazy. When the Beatles took the stage, a wall of sound rolled in and when they started playing, it intensified. There I was right under the front of the stage with my Sunbeam rolling and recording the concert. It seemed to last only a few minutes. Later in my motel room as I listened to my tape of the concert I sadly discovered that in my enthusiasm, I had sung along with the Beatles and the only thing louder than thousands of screaming girls was me. I have the tape.