The Beatles/Brian Epstein | Reel to Reel Recordings: 'The Beatles Abroad': BBC Light Programme [1965]

The Beatles/Brian Epstein

Reel to Reel Recordings: ‘The Beatles Abroad’: BBC Light Programme, [1965]

two 7 inch reel to reel tapes in original white card boxes, both with BBC printed labels and plain white labels with typescript details: ‘Light Programme – August 30^th 1965 | “THE BEATLES ABROAD” | 45 Minutes 7 ½” per second’, 1 of 2 and 2 of 2, the end of each tape with white ‘British Broadcasting Corporation’ tape inscribed in blue ballpoint with various details including ‘COPY THE BEATLES ABROAD’, and a date ’23 / 9 / 65’; with two signed documents from Brian Epstein’s nephew, Henry Epstein, stating that the tapes were bequeathed to him by his uncle; and a handwritten list of the tapes’ contents: ‘Act Naturally | Macca talking cavern + touring | George talking guitar tuning | Dizzy Miss Lizzy | Talking to a fan | Help! | Classical Music | 9 ½ mins approx.’,

Both boxes discoloured commensurate with age, some foxing in places with light wear to edges and corners

Box 1 – dark spot to lower left corner of label, BBC label has small tear on the coat of arms, box base has small splits on 3 of the edges

Box 2 – lower right corner of typescript label is missing; left edge of box base is torn and loose

‘The Beatles Abroad’ was broadcast by the BBC Light Programme on August bank holiday, 30 August 1965. The show lasted 45 minutes, featuring songs from their records plus a few minutes of interview material with members of the group. It would appear that these original tapes of the show were supplied as a courtesy by the BBC to Brian Epstein.