Video: 'The Beatles • Press Conference & Silent B-Roll (San Francisco Airport) • 8-18-64 [RITY Archive]'

(Tuesday, August 18, 1964, evening PDT; during The Beatles’ 1964 North American tour) — A few hours after checking in at the San Francisco Hilton, The Beatles tonight held their first full press conference of their first North American tour, which would begin tomorrow night at Daly City’s Cow Palace and include 32 shows in 25 cites.

John Lennon revealed he had written a new poem, “Snore Wife and the Seventy Warts,” during the flight from England.

Video: 'Beatles San Francisco Press Conference - 18 Aug 1964 [Audio Only]' (press conference at 2:45)

The discussion shifted to the “Ringo for President” campaign, with Ringo Starr humorously considering George Harrison for the role of the door and John for the cupboard in his imaginary cabinet.

The press conference ended in chaos as John called out for “Help!” to press officer Derek Taylor when reporters and photographers became unruly.

Larry Kane of Miami’s WFUN radio was one of three fortunate American reporters chosen to cover the Beatles’ entire tour, preserving his interviews on tapes later released as a series of LPs in the 1980s.

Video: 'Beatles San Francisco Press Conference - 18 Aug 1964 [Audio Only]' (post-press conference interviews with WFUN's Larry Kane at 0:00-2:45)

After the press conference, Kane recorded introductory conversations with the band.

Paul McCartney expressed gratitude to American radio for promoting their records, while John discussed a recent, controversial profile by Al Aronowitz in the Saturday Evening Post.