MUSEUM OF BROADCASTING SEMINAR SERIES, THE: THE
BRITISH INVASION: THE BEATLES AND BEYOND: AMERICA
MEETS THE BEATLES {TAPE 1 OF 2}
Summary
Tape one of two. One in this series of seminars presented by the Museum of Television and Radio, known at that time as the Museum of Broadcasting. This is the first of two sessions devoted to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the "invasion" by British rock of the United States; it covers the impact of British rock on American radio and radio's role in the phenomenon of Beatlemania. After several radio clips about the Beatles are played, host Andy Halper, the Museum's curatorial director, introduces the panelists: Stan Z. Burns, anchorman and reporter on WINS; Dan Ingram, voice-over specialist and longtime WABC host; Rick Sklar, WABC program director, author, and teacher; Nicolas Shaffner, author of "The Beatles Forever" and "The British Invasion"; and moderator "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, a major broadcasting personality. First, Morrow talks about the meaning of the Beatles in his life, and he describes his reaction on first hearing the group. Ingram and Sklar recall their own first Beatles moments and paint a picture of the music scene in the United States before the arrival of the British pop group. Sklar explains that he was the first American radio host to play a Beatles recording, and the panelists attest to the Beatles' initially limited knowledge of American radio. Ingram describes radio as a major agent in the mass hysteria that erupted around the Beatles. Sklar remembers the frenzied and impassioned atmosphere at Beatles concerts, and the panelists discuss George Harrison, whom they dub the "quiet" Beatle. As the conversation continues, the panelists cover the following topics, among others: the unprecedented popularity of the Beatles and the resulting pandemonium; parental hostility toward the Beatles; each panelist's favorite Beatle; and Morrow's high opinion of John Lennon. Next, Morrow opens the seminar to questions from the audience, which spur discussion of the following topics, among others: the Beatles' overall effect on the medium of radio; a comparison between Beatlemania and the recent fervor over Michael Jackson; the political motivations behind the attempted deportation of Lennon; and Albert Goldman's book "The Lives of John Lennon." Continues with T:16741.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: February 7, 1989
- RUNNING TIME: 1:01:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:16740
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Andy Halper … Host
- Bruce Morrow … Moderator
- Stan Z. Burns … Guest
- Dan Ingram … Guest
- Nicolas Shaffner … Guest
- Rick Sklar … Guest
- The Beatles
- Albert Goldman
- George Harrison
- Michael Jackson
- John Lennon