The True Story of The Beatles Please Please Me Album Cover - Creation to Destruction
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2023
- On February 20th 1963, The Beatles posed on the 2nd floor balcony at EMI House for the cover for their debut album 'Please, Please Me'. But this wasn't their first attempt at getting that cover shot, nor was it the last. In this video we trace the history of the album cover, from concept to manufacture, including the untold story of Garrod & Lofthouse, the company which printed all The Beatles UK album covers and how all the original negatives for the album cover were accidentally destroyed.
Link to other TH-cam videos mentioned in this presentation:
Cleaning & restoring vintage Beatles vinyl video: • How To CLEAN & RESTORE...
The Beatles UK LP covers 1963-1965: • The Story of The Beatl...
The Beatles UK LP covers 1966-1970: • The Story of The Beatl...
If you would like to help keep the channel going, you can support us in the following ways:
1. Become a channel member by clicking on this link: / @parlogram
2. Click the 'Thanks' icon below the video to donate an amount of your choice.
3. Join us on Patreon: / parlogram
Check out some great sounding Beatles vinyl for sale on our website: www.parlogramauctions.com
You can get in touch with us using the links below, but please note that we are unable to do online appraisals.
Email: andrew@parlogramauctions.com
Facebook: / parlogram
Twitter: / parlogram
Instagram: / parlogram67
Via our website: www.parlogramauctions.com/Con...
Finally, why not treat yourself to Parlogram t-shirt, a 'Get Back' tea mug or something else from our TH-cam/Spring store: parlogram-auctions.creator-sp...
Thank you! - เพลง
I used to look at the photos on the red and blue albums a lot while listening to them as a kid. I couldn't believe they had changed that much in 7 years. The Beatles did some brilliant things, and going back to where their first album cover was taken after 7 years was one of them.
Actually, it was just over six years between the shots...February 1963 to May 1969.
Me too.
I used to do the very same thing with my red and blue albums, as a kid. I used to have a photo of me doing that very thing.
@@dirwuf they still changed alot from 6 years
@@realblackflame Yes, they sure did . Replacing Paul was a huge mistake.
I am always amazed as to how you find out all this obscure information. Hats off to you !
Man, I had no idea the original album cover photos and negatives were thrown out by mistake, that's awful!! Great video as always man!
...and sometimes the studio would even wipe out finished masters of some songs - the 45 version of Love Me Do was erased and the album version was often used on 45 rpm reissues later on.😒
There’s so much lost media (or rather, there isn’t) in the world that it makes one cry. Look up the 2008 Universal fire for more.
Our first Beatles album purchase was when my sister purchased the Red album in the early 80’s. It didn’t take long for us to become hard core Beatles fans. That photo on the cover and on the reverse became two of my all time favorite photos of them because of the fond memories I have of that being our first exposure to Beatles music and endlessly playing it. I cherish when I see alternate versions of these photos.
Level of detail is, once again, outstanding. Probably the apex of Beatles-related channels...stellar work as always Andrew, and glad you're doing better.
Many thanks, Chris!
@@Parlogram Chris, I consider myself a rather serious amateur Beatle historian and I am always amazed by your attention to detail and quality of your videos. There is always something new to learn about the Fab Four!
Best Beatle channel on the internet Andrew, keep it up.
Yes, 100% agree.
9:27 Parking Meter Wearing John's Glasses was the true Fifth Beatle.
I visited Manchester Square shortly before EMI House was demolished. It was vacant, with piles of mail inside the locked foyer where McBean would have laid. I remember looking up and seeing the first floor balcony and was surprised by how close it really was. It looks much higher up in the photos. I also saw the spiral staircase, which was only a few meters away from the front doors. A year or two later I returned and it was all just a huge pile of rubble. I knew the handrail/balcony had been removed. Hopefully one day we'll get to see where it ended up and that it's in good condition.
Being a 60s building, I imagine it had quite low ceilings, so one floor up the stairs wasn't high at all!
Andrew is sort of our TH-cam version of Mark Lewishohn - wouldn't it be great if Apple Corp could get smart and partner with Andrew in some form, allowing him access to their archives and especially the right to use Beatles music in his presentations, to some degree.
I think was a very wise and prophetic choice to have The Beatles looking down at the camera from a significant height, but with youthful and welcoming smiles, rather than the po-faced scowls that most others bands go for. It puts them on a pedestal and subtly gets the audience to look up to them, but so that they're not arrogant or off-putting. It captures the personality of the band as a whole very well indeed.
A good friend in the UK introduced me to a friend who worked at EMI and the EMI House in 1986, after my friend had a hand in helping with several EMI Beach Boys re-issue releases. We went to EMI House in Manchester Square to visit her, and had a wonderful lunch together. On the way back to her office, she asked if I was aware of the PLEASE, PLEASE ME album cover and if I knew where the cover photo had been taken. At the time I didn't know, and when we arrived back at the EMI House, we stepped through the front door, where she quickly stopped us, and told us to "look up". The view and shot was immediate. She then allowed my friend and I into the lobby and directed us up the stairs to the famous railing and she took a few photos for us. Back in California, and a few months later, I took the best photo, had it enlarged and tilted it to the same angle of the PPM cover, matted and framed it. It's been hanging in my back bedroom (i.e. the "music" room) since early 1987. When friends come over and see it, they are amazed when they recognize where it is and are very green with envy that I was able to get this "impossible" shot which many have only ever dreamed about, especially now, since EMI House in Manchester Square doesn't exist anymore. I've been lucky. And yes, it's one of my favorite personal treasures and memories. When I heard they were closing down EMI House, (and later tore it down), I always wondered what became of this treasured rail Andrew....thanks for the information of what happened to it!! I'm glad to know that this piece of railing, so full of history still exists today! Definitely a priceless artifact!! I would also like to note, that there is a famous shot of the Beach Boys in 1966, on that spiral staircase, (shown at 09:19) which used to take one down to the basement at EMI House, with all the news photographers grappling and fighting to get a photo. This was shortly after the release of PET SOUNDS. A shot of them on this staircase from this same day, was also used for the Japanese Picture Sheet for their "Wild Honey" release. Dig, DmGrk
Great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Glad to have you back
I really like those Parlophone 'cheap' album covers (most of them anyway). They are very stong and dynamic, easily recognisable and the photography was often of a very high standard and reproduced beautifully at a time when that kind of quality was hard to achieve.
Fascinating topic, Andrew. In the U.S., we didn't see McBean's photo until the release of the Red and Blue albums. I remember how 'cool' I thought it was that the Beatles returned to the earlier location for another photo. I'm glad that the G&L album jackets 'returned' for the 2014 mono box.
A sad ending for the original photos indeed. Welcome back and continued good health!
Thanks Richard!
When you showed a photo of the Beatles changing into their suits at EMI house ,you can see behind them a big painting of a tree ,this was used for the cover of Rolf Harris’s first LP Sun Arise ,which had Rolf posing as if he was leaning against the tree.
Welcome back.
Thank you Baard!
This was excellent! So many things I didn't know about the Please Please Me cover!
Thanks so much for making these Beatles videos!
8:04 we even get a glimpse of what the beatles’ perspective was! your attention to detail is always much appreciated :)
I have a soft spot for those late 1950s early 1960s EMI albums. I inherited a load of the Parlophone comedy albums from my late uncle many years ago and think these along with the 'pop' ones the Beatles and many other groups made, look just right! I'm always impressed how good the vinyl sounds after 60 years or so, despite some abuse by the 11 year old me!
Glad to hear you're better and back in action!
Glad you’re feeling much better, Andrew! As usual, a video absolutely packed with information. You are greatly appreciated, good sir!
Thanks David. Glad you enjoyed it!
I have to pay a compliment here, always great stories, fun to watch, informative, and most of all relaxing and so professional. You deserve some sort of Oscar award for TH-cam videos. Do they have anything like that? Always looking forward to new videos. Thank you.
Thanks Danny. Glad you're enjoying them!
At least the handrail still exists. This episode had a ton of info I did not know. This is a good one Andrew. Sorry to hear you had Covid. Nasty stuff.
So much effort, research, so much input... and all told in an exciting and lively way... A rarely enriching channel that deserves a lot of attention... I'm overwhelmed! 💯💥
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Bravo Andrew! Didn't know the story behind those missing negatives. Tragic
Those two pictures blew me away when I was 14 in 1978 and my brother bought 62-66. I HADto find out exactly just what happened in those six years between 1963 and 1969! I am no less amazed today.
This is my absolute go to channel for anything to do with the Beatles albums. Nothing else even comes close so well done to Andrew and his team. The presentation and detail, especially the amount of miniature information is always amazing and fascinating!
Thank you! Much appreciated.
Thanks for another excellent history lesson. Very fascinating.
I just love the Beatles 1967-1970 that was the aborted “get back” cover that has them eight years later because it’s such a jolting change in their appearance. A little trivia is That they are all wearing their 1966 stage suits in the cover
The pinstripe stage suits worn by the Beatles on their 1966 tours were grey with broad orange stripes. The pinstripe suits worn by John and George for the 13 May 1969 balcony photos were white with thin alternating red and blue stripes. Paul and Ringo wore different styled and shaded blue suits that day. (The pinstriped suits were not worn by any Beatle at the first 'Get Back' photoshoot which took place a week earlier in May 1969).
George had first worn his white with red & blue striped suit at the premiere of 'Wonderwall' at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1968, and he also wore it during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions in January 1969. I've never seen a photo of John wearing his on any other occasion.
It was just a little over six years between the 'Please Plese Me' and 'Get Back' album cover photo sessions - February 1963 and May 1969.
Great video. I've always been fascinated how they took essentially the same photo, in their same stances, at the same spot, 6 years apart. Now I know. Also cool that they got the same photographer.
Glad to see you're feeling better. 👍
The cover still brings back that feeling of childhood joy. Thanks, Andrew. Another great video and glad you’re recovering.
Andrew, it’s amazing how you always find something interesting to tell about the subject of The Beatles, thank you
I sure hope people appreciate all the effort and work you do to make these fantastic videos, I sure do!👍🏻🍏🍏🍏🍏
Thank you, Thomas!
Hi Andrew great upload as usual, I can furnish you with some info about this because I actually live in Caterham in Surrey and the Garrod and Lofthouse site which is about 1.5 miles from my flat was a massive building well known in our town for years. It lay dormant for years from about 1985-90 (not sure exactly when it stopped producing) and was eventually redeveloped into a massive church about 5-6 years ago which I used to go to. One guy who I used to know from the original church was a guy called Chris and he went to France as a missionary but as a young man he used to work there. I asked him about it and he said it was always a mad rush when a new Beatles album came out as they could barely keep up with production. I started watching this unaware if Garrod and Lofthouse had other sites so this was fascinating to learn more about them and for my hometown to get a shoutout. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed it, Tim and many thanks for the information.
Glad you're feeling better! Today marks the 60th anniversary of the From Me To You recording sessions! I love listening to the W-I-D-E S-T-E-R-E-O mixes from this session. Long live the Beatles!
As a longtime Beatles Nerd I love your detailed videos
Thanks Darryl!
Fascinating mini documentary on how the first cover came about as well how the covers were made. Love all aspects of record/CD manufacturing. I would have preferred if CD's came in card covers or card digpacks as opposed to jewel cases.
I knew the stair well was moved to Hammersmith would have liked to see photos and at McCartney's home.
Tragic end to the negatives but if they were so valuable more care should have been made to secure them.
I know you know Liverpool to London isn’t 70 miles in distance, Andrew. Just hope any non-UK residents don’t think it is, if ever they visit here on a Beatles trail.
Fantastic video once more. The highlight of my week! (Especially after my team were thrashed 7-0 by, er, Liverpool this afternoon.
Peace.
A really great episode, Andrew. Lovely to hear about the obscure history of Garrod and Lofthouse. Much appreciated.
Thanks Russell. Glad you enjoyed it!
so mind-blowingly in-depth, so beautifully done. the world needs more people like you, Andrew.
Thanks Andrew. I really enjoyed this. You always come up with fascinating and interesting topics to cover. Excellent as always.
I look forward to your videos every week. Fascinating as ever! Thank you
I'm glad that you're safe and sound!
Thanks for the outstanding Videos.
Your knowledge is amazing!
A fantastic topic for the video Andrew and very informative too. It never ceases to amaze me how much information and detail you put into every video. I always learn new stuff that I didn't know about the Beatles and it makes me think there must be a lot more stuff I don't even know about my favourite band. I think your channel is the best on TH-cam Andrew for all things Beatles related. You deserve an award for the awesome things you do. I'm so pleased you're feeling better now. All the best.
These vids are so fun... I've always read all the books.. magazines..etc. about the Beatles...and now a channel like this just keeps the happy coming. The thought of those negatives though getting tossed....ugh. Great vid 🤠
Hope you’re better! Can hear it in your voice... Best from Tokyo
As usual, the level of detail is amazing. One of the best Beatles-related channels in yt. Cheers!
Very good to hear some history about Garrod and Lofthouse, thanks. I didn't know about the loss of the PPM negatives - tragic! Finally, I'm pleased to see you fully recovered from covid.
@13:10 TRIVIA: Australia had their version of the cleaning cloth it was called the EMI antistatic cleaning cloth and they were advertised mainly on compilation albums from 1968 to 1973
Glad to see you back Andrew hope your feeling better 👍 Another great video lots of new info for me again, thanks for sharing take care 👍
Glad you're on the mend :) Great photo for Please Please Me, from the angle it looks as if they're much higher up than they are. Brilliant video once again. Take care.
Fascinating story, Andrew. Totally delighted. Thanks a lot. Take care
So glad you are feeling better Andrew! Really enjoyed this episode. You do uncover info I find fascinating. Looking forward to the anniversary episodes...Keep rockin and continued good health!
Thanks Buddy. Glad you enjoyed it!
Happy you back with fascinating Beatles history records ! 👏
The area around EMI House was often used as the setting for publicity pictures of the company's artists. As well as on the immediate outside of EMI House, other were taken in the square's garden, and in the Wallace Collection. The latter is well worth visiting, although there is no Beatles connection as far as I know.
Incredible reconstruction! Thank you so much. I'm truly amazed at how you manage to gather all this information. You provide the most comprehensive overview of Beatles-related topics.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!
It's great to have you back and well. That's realy, realy a good new for us. Excellent video, Andrew!
Thanks Carlos. Glad you enjoyed it!
Fascinating video Andrew. Thanks again for your quality work. Good to see you’re well and back on deck. Cheers, Rob
Thanks Rob. Glad to be back.
The young and older shot put together is my favorite. Excellent job on the video.
Meticulously detailed. Outstanding ONCE again! Thank you so much for your vids....they are AWESOME!
Wow, thank you!
Great video again, Andrew. Thank you👍🏻 Keep 'em coming 😊
Thanks David, will do!
Brilliant video Andrew
Two fascinating subjects in one video. Keep them coming and glad to see you are back fit and well
Thank you, Edward. Glad you enjoyed it!
Honestly the quality and content of this channel is outstanding. It's informative, interesting and entertaining. Top notch
Much appreciated, Will!
WOW what an amazing video and insight to a cover that has so much history. A big welcome back Andrew
Thank you, Caleb!
Glad you are feeling better, Andrew. Another interesting report. Well done.
Thanks Anthony. Glad you enjoyed it!
Superb as usual. Not only do I continuously find out new things from my all-time favorite band The Beatles, I also learn the history of things/events from the 1960s era and even the prior decades that shaped and influenced our beloved 1960s pop culture and music as an industry and business.
Thanks Jason. Glad you enjoyed it.
Wonderful episode, Andrew! I am so very glad you are feeling better. Looking forward to next week.
Thank you, Roger.
Great to have You Back and, as always, with great video. Best regards from México, Andrew!
Thanks Victor!
Always a very enjoyable watch, interesting and most of all fun. It really takes you back and gets a person to think about how much things have changed. I don't feel as old as I am in a strange way, but so much has changed. Anyway, thanks again to you and your crew.
So glad to see you back ❤
What a master class in how to do a thorough deep dive into a specific subject! My first Parlogram video, but it will not be my last.
Thank you Alastair. I hope you enjoy the channel.
Terrific video Andrew! Great to know the history behind the album photos and packaging. With the Red Album being my real exposure to the Beatles in 1981, this photo has a special place in my heart. Sorry to hear you contracted COVID 😢glad you are feeling better. Take care
Thanks Bill. Glad you enjoyed it!
Another fascinating history. Thank you, Andrew!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Andrew, I really enjoyed this excellent video. I love the fact that you go into so much detail. Perhaps you could produce a future video about Tony Barrow's connection with the Beatles.
Great to see you back, and better than ever. Great great video.
Thanks Jason. Glad you enjoyed it.
As a lifetime fan of the Beatles, photographer and printer, I found this episode fantastic.
Love your work my friend. Thank you!
Hi Andrew, Once again very informative video. Can't take my eye off of the red dial phone that really is vintage, love it.
Glad you enjoyed it, Joseph.
Glad you've recovered, Andrew!
Another fascinating video, big thank you and glad your feeling better.
Thanks Nick. Glad you enjoyed it!
I've been to Manchester Square many times because I used to work nearby, and I always wondered why they tore down that architecturally interesting (and personally beautiful) EMI building to replace it with an anonymous, quite dull building instead.
Andrew, I hope you are feeling better mate. Yet another EXCEPTIONAL video. Loved seeing all those alternate shots of the balcony photos. You are truly becoming a part of Beatlelore with your amazing knowledge and passion. Please keep thinking about doing a book based on the content of your channel. It would be a splendid legacy. Cheers from Steve in Australia 👍
As informative as ever but "70 odd miles" from Liverpool to London? More like 220 miles!
Thank you Andrew. I always enjoy your videos.
You're welcome, Brian. Thanks for watching!
So good Andrew. Really enjoyed this one.
Glad your better but take it easy. Still look a bit under the weather.
Thanks Richard. Glad you enjoyed it!
I am sorry that you’ve had Covid, I hope you are doing well and please keep on making such great videos.
I hope that you will get well soon definitely and that you do what you can to stay healthy. I hope you get to feel better.
That was a great story on the please please me album covers.
It’s sad that all of the photographs were thrown away I think they would’ve made a great album cover when EMI releases the please please me box set.
Another fascinating video Andrew.Always loved that Spike Milligan cover too.Glad to hear you're well again after Covid Cheers Ian
Thanks Ian. Glad you enjoyed it!
This , and all your videos are Very informative. I find them fascinating!! Thank you for making them!
Thanks Joseph. Glad you like them!
I’m blessed I get to watch your videos. 🎉
1:50 - 2:03 - Paul once said in an interview: 'We'll, we could have been The Shoes...'
Detailed, informative and very enjoyable video to watch!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Andrew, I didn't know you'd had COVID. Very glad to hear you're feeling better. I love your work. Cheers from southern California.
Thank you, Sir!
It’s really fascinating to learn about all of the photographs and all the different album covers that the Beatles and EMI created and the photographers. please please me it’s one of my favorite albums it’s a great album for a debut.
Glad to learn that you are well Andrew!
Glad you recovered fully . Sad ending for the album cover but it was another great video .
Thanks Neil. Glad you enjoyed it.
It's always fun to discover and Rediscover anything involving the Beatles! I had no idea that the LP cover was taken the same day George Martin recorded the piano intro for "Misery" to wrap up the LP sessions. Great video as usual Andrew! I'm enjoying celebrating the 60th ANNA(versary)!!!!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Interesting information as always. Glad you’re feeling better.
Thanks Michael!
Thnx for uploading an amazing video! Greetings from Spain
Thanks, Jan-Willem. Glad you enjoyed it!
Bravo! Amazing information that really enhances my appreciation of the Beatles.
Thank you, Hart!
Amazing story and impressive details! Hope you're feeling well now.
Thanks Filipe. I am feeling better now.
You come up with great topics
Excellent. One of my favourite episodes, without a doubt.
Thanks John!
That was fascinating. Thank you for the great research.
Thank you, Anthony. Glad you enjoyed it!