Video: 'The Beatles 1964 at Indiana State Fair 1964 (WISH TV) Unblocked' (press conference at 7:44)

(Thursday, September 3, 1964, approximately 7:00 p.m. EDT; during The Beatles’ 1964 North American tour) — The Beatles held a lively press conference tonight at the Radio Building during their first full North American tour.

Sandwiched between two shows at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum, the event was filmed for WISH-TV’s special, Our Fair Beatles.

The press conference featured the band’s trademark humor. When asked about their stance on the draft, John Lennon quipped, “About five-eleven.” Lennon also humorously cited “Land of Hope and Glory” as his favorite Lennon/McCartney composition, while Paul McCartney opted for “It’s for You.”

George Harrison mentioned he had written “three bits” of songs recently but none were complete. The band gave a brief rendition of his unfinished piece, “You Know What to Do.”

The Beatles shared their admiration for other musical groups, praising the Animals (“nice fellas… from Newcastle”), the Detroit sound, and the Beach Boys (“very good harmonies”).

Ringo Starr, asked to name his favorite color, chose black. John Lennon’s quick wit followed with, “They’ll have a riot! Oh, wrong place, Philadelphia that, isn’t it?” -— a nod to recent race riots in that city.

On the topic of religion, Paul McCartney identified as agnostic, to which Ringo humorously retorted, “Are you? You look all right to me.”