So, fifty years ago this week, the Beatles were touring the UK as a warm-up act on a bill headlined by pop singer Helen Shapiro, who I’m sure is entirely news to you (well, she was to me). Just before “Please, Please Me” broke and forever ended the question of who the headliner should be, three out of four of the Beatles had their first tv appearance, starting with John (on whom Helen apparently had a crush) but omitting Paul.
She was apparently offered a chance to record “Misery,” but (to her regret) it didn’t happen.
In the video above, you’ll see various Beatles plus George Martin.
Slate has a series going tracking the Beatles, fifty years on. This is the latest entry, which I’m putting up for Chico.
It looked like to me Ms. Shapiro was lip syncing rather than really singing. Scandal.
Lip syncing was standard practice on this ‘Ready Steady Go!’ television programme…..
I’ve been meaning to check out Slate regularly for years. I didn’t know about this ongoing ’50 years’ project. I’ll be there, now! thanks