The Beatles Off the Record

An interview with Author Keith Badman.

The book is comprises entirely of interviews with The Beatles and their contemporaries. About 90 per cent of The Beatles transcripts in the book are taken from the period they are discussing. Included are press conferences from the touring days, one to one interviews and snippets from radio and TV shows. The book is well laid out in chronological order.

One canÕt help compare this book with the Anthology book - both are The Beatles in their own words. The main difference between the two is that the Anthology book has The Beatles looking back on their career some 25-30 years after the events happened whereas ÔOff the RecordÕ is taken from contemporary interviews. As Keith says in his authors note; 'everyone suffers memory lapses through the mists of time and were all inclined to brush under the carpet those matters we might consider best forgotten.'

The foreword of the book is written by Hunter Davies, who, of course, wrote The Beatles official biography in 1968. In the foreword he says that the book can be seen as Ôa correctiveÕ as 'The Beatles now have a habit of being highly selective when they are remembering being a Beatle'.

Perhaps the highlight of the book for me is the transcripts of The Beatles press conferences and how they changed over the years. In 1963/4 the conferences were great fun - with The Beatles being asked very frivolous questions and coming up with great answers - mainly putting down the questioner. However after a while The Beatles grew really tired of press conferences and the questions got more serious too. This is especially true when comparing The Beatles first US press conference at Kennedy airport with one of their last in LA. The LA press conference is much more serious - mainly because of questions about JohnÕs Ôbigger than JesusÕ interview. However The Beatles still managed to inject some humour into the occasion. A reporter asks about a report in Time magazine that put down pop music and said that ÔDay TripperÕ was about a prostitute and ÔNorwegian WoodÕ about a lesbian. Paul answers, ÒWe were just trying to write songs about prostitutes and lesbians you know!Ó Later John is asked about the inspiration for Eleanor Rigby and he answers ÔTwo queersÕ!

Another favourite part of the book for me is the section about Apple. Through the interviews in the book you can really see The Beatles falling apart. The chapter is appropriately called ÔApple CrumbleÕ.

Although Keith denies it IÕm sure it was no co-incidence that this book came out virtually the same week as the Anthology book. It is hard to say which one paints the truer picture of The Beatles - just read both and make your own mind up.

Keith Badman Talks about his new book:

• You are known throughout the Beatles World as a collector of Beatles videos. How did your fascination start?

KB: I remember watching the 10th Anniversary of Top Of The Pops show in December 1973, and in the programme was a clip of The Beatles doing 'I Feel Fine' from the 1965 Interntel promo films. I was absolutely knocked out by this. My absolute fascination really began in December 1979 when I got a VHS home video so I could tape all The Beatles films that were shown over the Christmas holiday. I have always had a big thing about films anyway. My father was a cinema projectionist and my mother was a cinema usherette. They romantically met in a cinema where they were working.

• What was the most exciting find in your collection?

KB: Goodness, it's very hard to say. Perhaps footage from TV shows that have long since been considered lost or home movies from some Beatles concerts in the sixties, etc. etc. Were you involved in any way in the Beatles Anthology videos? KB: No, not in the videos, but I did help in the first TV versions of the Anthology programmes. As you may suspect, I was an archive consultant. Amongst many things, I helped find the Paris January 64 footage and the video tape version of the Washington 64 concert.

• Do you have any footage in your collection that you think The Beatles should have used in the Anthology? KB: Yes, Apple were really keen on the Thank Your Lucky Stars 1963 'Lucky Stars On Merseyside' show, but the quality wasn't good enough. I just couldn't find the broadcast master. I know where it is now!
  • Your new book 'The Beatles Off the Record' was published almost the same week as the Anthology book. Was this deliberate?
  

  KB: No, No! The Anthology book has been on the cards for five years as you know, whereas I started mine straight after I finished the 'After The Break-Up' book. My book was coming out anyway, and we didn't know when the Anthology book would appear, if ever. No worries, my book was delayed for a couple of weeks to let the Anthology book mania die down a bit.

  • How would you differentiate your book from the Anthology book?
  

  KB: My book comprises of 90% of interviews of them talking at the time, at the time of their new single, album, tour, etc. etc., when it was fresh in their minds. I've transcribed long-lost TV shows and many, many press conferences. Much of the text has never been in print form before or unseen for thirty years! Also, mine is easier to carry! Ho, Ho! (Their book is great, though, jokes aside.)

  • In your book there are the transcripts of interviews The Beatles gave in the 60s. Which is your favourite in the book?
    • KB: I really can't say. They are all nice. If they're in the book, it's because I liked them or I felt that they were important enough to go in.
      • Did you learn anything new about the Beatles from researching this book?
      

      KB: Er, a hard one. I was fascinated to learn about projects that never happened (ie. Revolver to be recorded in America, John's cartoon film based on his two books, etc.)

      • Do you have any book Beatles projects/books lined up?
      

      KB: I'm working on one now, but the contract hasn't been signed, so it's best not to say anything yet, I don't want to tempt fate. But, you will know about it, I promise.