Video: 'Memphis colisseum press conference interview ITN news report'

(Thursday, August 19, 1966, following a press conference that started at 7:00 p.m. CDT) — The Beatles sat down together for what is believed to be their final filmed interview as a group today between two concerts at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, as the band faced mounting controversy over John Lennon’s comments about Jesus.

Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr gathered backstage with reporters and broadcasters following a joint press conference held during the break between the Beatles’ afternoon and evening performances.

One of the interviews stands as it became the last known filmed occasion when Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr sat together for an interview (they would continue to hold joint press conferences through Aug. 25, 1966) with British television reporter Richard Lindley for ITN’s Reporting ’66.

Podcast episode: '20 Boston + Memphis (18-19 August 1966)' (Aug. 19, 1966, interview with Bess Coleman at 18:11)

The interview came at a particularly tense point in what would turn out to be The Beatles’ final American tour.

Lennon’s remark that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” had sparked protests, record burnings and radio boycotts across the United States. The controversy was especially pronounced in the South, and Memphis had become one of the most closely watched stops on the tour.

Podcast episode: '21 Memphis + NYC (19-22 August 1966)' (Aug. 19, 1966, interview with Jim Stagg at 0:00-1:21)

The Beatles also gave separate interviews during their time backstage. Bess Coleman interviewed at least Lennon and McCartney, while Chicago radio personality Jim Stagg interviewed Lennon, McCartney and Harrison.

Coleman’s interview touched on the difficulty of reproducing the Beatles’ increasingly elaborate studio recordings onstage without additional musicians.

Later that evening, the Beatles returned to the Mid-South Coliseum stage for their second performance of the day.