Category Archives: The Beatles 1960s

The Beatles arrive in Detroit 60 years ago this hour (Aug 13 1966)


Video: 'Detroit Airport newsreel footage 1966'

(Saturday, August 13, 1966, 11:00 a.m. EDT) — The Beatles arrived this morning at Detroit Airport from Chicago to perform two shows at Olympia Stadium on the second stop of a 14-city 19-show North American tour.

The Beatles interviewed in Chicago 60 years ago today (Aug 12 1966)


Video: 'WKLO's Ken Douglas: Beatle Views (1966)' (Aug. 12, 1966, at 7:26-22:37)

(Friday, August 12, 1966, early evening CDT) — After launching a 14-city, 19-show North American tour this afternoon at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago (and before their evening show), The Beatles were interviewed by British DJ Ken Douglas, who was then working in Louisville, Kentucky. Continue reading The Beatles interviewed in Chicago 60 years ago today (Aug 12 1966)

The Beatles launch final tour in Chicago 60 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1966)


Video: 'The Beatles: Live In Chicago (August 12th, 1966) (Early Show)'

(Friday, August 12, 1966, after opening acts The Remains, Bobby Hebb, The Cyrkle, and The Ronettes were scheduled to perform starting at 3:00 p.m. CDT) — The Beatles launched the band’s final tour this afternoon with the first of two performances at Chicago’s International Amphitheatre (the second performance was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT). Continue reading The Beatles launch final tour in Chicago 60 years ago this hour (Aug 12 1966)

John Lennon apologizes for ‘more popular than Jesus’ remark 60 years ago this evening (Aug 11 1966)


Video: 'The Beatles - "Jesus Apology" Press Conference - Restored Full - Aug 12, 1966' (click here for the transcript of press conference #1)

(Thursday, August 11, 1966, evening CDT) — The Beatles held two press conferences tonight at Astor Towers Hotel in Chicago, during which John Lennon apologized for his “more popular than Jesus” remark made in a magazine interview in March, saying, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I said it really. I didn’t mean it as a lousy, anti-religious thing. I was sort of deploring the attitude toward Christianity. I wasn’t saying The Beatles are better than God or Jesus.” Continue reading John Lennon apologizes for ‘more popular than Jesus’ remark 60 years ago this evening (Aug 11 1966)

The Beatles arrive in Chicago to begin North American tour 60 years ago this hour (Aug 11 1966)


Video: 'The beatles - Live At The International Amphitheater, Chicago 1966' (The band's airport arrival first 5 videos in playlist)

(Thursday, August 11, 1966, 4:55 p.m. CDT) — The Beatles flew into O’Hare Airport in Chicago this this afternoon on a flight from Boston (where they changed planes after flying in from London) to begin their third (and what would turn out to be their last) American tour the following day. Continue reading The Beatles arrive in Chicago to begin North American tour 60 years ago this hour (Aug 11 1966)

The Beatles arrive in Boston from London to board flight to Chicago 60 years ago this hour (Aug 11 1966)


Video: 'The beatles - At Boston Logan Airport 1966' (3 clips)

(Thursday, August 11, 1966, 1:10 p.m. EDT) — The Beatles flew into Logan Airport in Boston this afternoon on a flight from London to board another flight to Chicago where the British rock band was scheduled to begin their third (and what would turn out to be their last) American tour the following day amid the “more popular than Jesus” controversy.

The Beatles depart London Airport for North American tour 60 years ago today (Aug 11 1966)


Video: 'Beatles Leave for US Tour, 11 August, 1966, London Airport, BBC'

(Thursday, August 11, 1966, late morning BST) — The Beatles departed London Airport on a flight to Boston this morning and then onto Chicago on another flight where they would begin their third (and what would turn out to be their last) North American tour the following day amid the “more popular than Jesus” controversy. Continue reading The Beatles depart London Airport for North American tour 60 years ago today (Aug 11 1966)

The Beatles filmed outside London shop 60 years ago today (Aug 10 1966)


Video: 'The Beatles at Blandford Street London 08/10/66'

(Wednesday, August 10, 1966) — The Beatles were filmed today as they emerged from a shop on Blandford Street in downtown London and asked about the brewing “more popular than Jesus” controversy as they prepared to leave for the U.S. for what would turn out to be their final tour as a band.

Lennon, McCartney interviewed for ‘The Lennon And McCartney Songbook’ 60 years ago this hour (Aug 6 1966)


Video: '1966 08 29 - BBC Radio - The Lennon and McCartney Song Book - Including Songs'

(Saturday, August 6, 1966, 4:00-6:00 p.m. BST) — John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles were interviewed today for the The Lennon And McCartney Songbook radio show at McCartney’s house at 7 Cavendish Avenue in London for broadcast on Aug. 29, 1966, at 4:30-5:30 p.m. on the BBC Light Programme.

Beatles manager Brian Epstein attempts to quell PR storm over ‘Jesus’ remarks 60 years ago today (Aug 5 1966)


Video: 'UPSCALED & COMPLETE - Brian Epstein 1966 "Beatles More Popular than Jesus" Press Conference'

(Friday, August 5, 1966, afternoon EDT) — Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, held a news conference today at the Americana Hotel at 811 7th Ave (between W. 52nd/53rd St; now known as the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel) in New York City, hoping to quell a public relations storm following a quote by John Lennon claiming the band was “more popular than Jesus.” Continue reading Beatles manager Brian Epstein attempts to quell PR storm over ‘Jesus’ remarks 60 years ago today (Aug 5 1966)