Nov. 23, 1964 - On sale today is “The Beatles’ Story,” the sixth album by the Beatles released in the United States. The documentary double album features interviews, press conferences, and snippets of original or orchestral versions of Beatle songs, with voice-over narration.
The album’s liner notes describe it as a “narrative and musical biography” of Beatlemania. The Capitol release was produced by Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer Gary Usher and disc jockey and lyricist Roger Christian, and narrated by John Babcock, Al Wiman, and Christian. The Hollyridge Strings performed the orchestral versions of the Beatles’ songs heard on the album.
Capitol issued the album in response to the Vee-Jay Records LP “Hear the Beatles Tell All,” a compilation of radio interviews with the band carried out by Los Angeles disc jockeys.
Originally, Capitol intended to create an album from the Beatles’ show at the Hollywood Bowl last August. A recording was made of the concert, but the Beatles and their producer, George Martin, deemed it of insufficient quality due to the poor sound and the volume of the fans’ screaming. “The Beatles’ Story” nevertheless contains a 48-second excerpt of “Twist and Shout” from the Hollywood Bowl performance. It is the first record to include a recording of a Beatles concert.
Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments