Monday, July 18, 2011

Another Beatles Christmas Show



The Beatles had closed 1963 with a highly successful run at the Finsbury Park Astoria, headlining a Christmas show mixing music and sketches. They weren't exactly anxious to repeat the feat, but Brian Epstein insisted, so Another Beatles Christmas Show was booked for the Hammersmith Odeon in 1964. Also on the bill were the Yardbirds, whose guitarist, Eric Clapton, would eventually form a lifelong friendship with George.

Rehearsals took place in the third week of December, and the show opened Christmas Eve, lasting through January 16th, 1965. During the first week of shows, the Beatles were interviewed backstage by American DJ Paul Drew, and British DJ Chris Denning. The latter was there to gather material for a new Radio Luxembourg weekly series, The Beatles, which would debut on January 3rd. The Beatles' initial contribution consisted of a halfhearted chat conducted while stuffing their faces, and some amusing record requests and dedications.

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