Video: 'The Beatles - Top Gear Spot'
(Saturday, July 11, 1964, morning BST) — Back in London from last night’s northern premiere of A Hard Day’s Night in their hometown of Liverpool, three of the four Beatles (John Lennon was absent) recorded an audio promotion today for BBC’s brand-new pop radio program Top Gear.
It was reportedly recorded at a flat in London’s Shepherd Street shared by BBC producer Bernie Andrews and NEMS associate Terry Doran. The promo spot as broadcast lasted about 0:25, and a further 2:12 of outtakes and goofing around (Paul McCartney using his “posh announcer” and “Scouse” voices) also circulates.
On July 14, 1964, the band would tape six songs for the program’s premiere, which would air two days later.
McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr also taped an open-end interview this morning to be sent to radio stations in the U.S. to promote local showings of the band’s first feature film.
Video: 'Beatles Top Gear Promo'
Also probably taped on this day was an open-end interview to be sent to radio stations in the United States to promote local showings of A Hard Day’s Night.
Only the Beatles’ answers were included on the finished disc so that DJs could read the questions from the enclosed script and appear to be interviewing the group exclusively.
The complete program, including four songs from the film and commercials, lasted a half hour.
Paul jokingly explains John’s absence away by claiming that he’s gone down to the shipyards to have an estimate for a haircut.
Video: 'The Beatles - Fab Four On Film (The Beatles Talk About A Hard Day's Night, 1964)(Capitol P-B-5100)'
Paul, George Harrison and Ringo Starr then chat about making the film, the tribulations of getting up early to shoot scenes, writing the songs, and trying not to laugh while acting.
All four Beatles also made a live appearance on the summer version of Thank Your Lucky Stars on this day at Teddington Studio Centre in Middlesex, England.
Rehearsals began at 1:45 p.m., and the show was broadcast live from 5:50-6:35 p.m. The Beatles mimed to four songs: ‘A Hard Day’s Night,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Things We Said Today” and “You Can’t Do That.”
Unfortunately, tape of this performance was wiped and no known copies exist.
