The Beatles Tapes (The David Wigg Interviews)
... (and other Interview Albums)

The Beatles
 
Beatles Tapes - Front cover Beatles Tapes - The Label
Beatles Tapes - Front Cover Beatles Tapes - The Label
Label Polydor
Catalogue No. 2683 068
Release date 30th July 1976
Total time
U.K. Album Chart Detail :
Entry Date :21st August 1976
Highest Position :45
Weeks in Chart :1
Detail : The Beatles back on Polydor !
The first of the Beatles interview albums to be released in Britain, and the only one to actually chart,
albeit for the shortest time possible ... just one week at number 45.

Some fascinating interviews made with The Beatles by David Wigg from 1968 to 1973.

Wigg was a newspaper writer with the English Daily newspaper, the Daily Express, and interviewed the Beatles on seven occasions.
He first came into contact with the Beatles when he was working for the London Evening News,
when he had his own column called "Young London".
The interviews on this double package are edited by David Wigg, and are interspersed with instrumental versions of
Beatles songs played by session men and arranged by Martyn Ford and John Bell.
As each Beatle has his own side, the songs chosen were meant to be appropriate for each Beatle, which they are ... with the exception of Because (a John song) on Paul's "side".

The Beatles did their best to prevent the release of this double set but due to the vagaries of British copyright law were unable to.
This is because interview recordings remain the property of the interviewer, NOT the artist !

The cover that you see at the top of page is detail of the centre of the front cover, as the remaining bulk of the full-size cover is black anyway.
The gatefold sleeve includes an 8 page booklet of 31 black and white pictures, including some
interesting shots of the Beatles with Ken Dodd, Marlene Dietrich, Princess Margaret and David Jacobs.
There are also pictures of Beatles with their wives and some with Davig Wigg alongside Paul and Linda, and with John and Yoko.

This double L.P. was re-released October 1984 with a catalogue number of TWOLP 7 ...
and again on C.D. in October 1990, catalogue number 847 185-2. (and cassette 847 185-4)

Beatles Tapes - CD cover Beatles Tapes - The C.D.
Beatles Tapes - CD Rear Cover Beatles Tapes - The C.D.

I have included David Wigg's comments about the interviews with each Beatle, along with the detail of each side's detail below.

Side 1 - John Lennon with Yoko Ono

Sleeve Listing
Interview June 1969 (Pt.1)
Give Peace A Chance
Interview June 1969 (Pt.2)
Imagine
Interview June 1969 (Pt.3)
Come Together
Interview October 1971

David Wigg : "The first interview with John and Yoko is at the Apple offices in London.
They had just retuned from their lie-in for peace at the Amsterdam Hilton and another in Montreal.
On this tape John described what he hoped to achieve from his somewhat bizarre activities.
John also confided that he had received a ticking off from Paul for posing nude on the "Two Virgins" cover."

"The second interview was at the San Regis Hotel, New York, John and Yoko were having breakfast in bed. It was 12:30 p.m.
Yoko wore a black see-through negligee. John had on a t-shirt with the writing "This Is Not Here" on it.
Discussed topics were, The Beatles wealth, what caused the split, and whether the Beatles would get together again."

Side 2 - Paul McCartney

Sleeve Listing
Interview March 1970 (Pt.1)
Because
Interview March 1970 (Pt.2)
Yesterday
Interview March 1970 (Pt.3)
Hey Jude

David Wigg : "The interview was held in the Apple offices in London. Paul sat in a handsomely carved chair that belonged to George Harrison.
Paul talks of enjoying life as a family man.
Paul also explains about the musical, business and personal differences within the band.
He is very unhappy with the whole situation, largely because he never favoured Allen Klein to handle their financial affairs.

After my interview, Paul joined the other three Beatles to discuss this very issue, and when it was put to the vote, Paul lost.
He stormed out of the meeting and resigned from the Apple board.
On April 10th 1970 Paul announced he had no future plans to record with the Beatles.
We discussed Paul's plans, the "Abbey Road" album, the day they received their M.B.E.'s, the Royal family, and what had caused the Beatles to change"

Side 3 - George Harrison

Sleeve Listing
Interview March 1969 (Pt.1)
Here Comes The Sun
Interview March 1969 (Pt.2)
Something

David Wigg : "We met at the Apple offices in London the week before Paul's wedding to Linda.
It was an important time for George as he was emerging as a strong song-writing influence.
He explained how "Here Comes The Sun" had come to him while sitting in Eric Clapton's garden, and that "Something" was for Patti.
He also described what meditation and Hare Krishna meant to him, The Beatles financial problems and how he came to terms with being a Beatle."

Side 4 - Ringo Starr

Sleeve Listing
Interview December 1968
Interview July 1970
Interview December 1973 (Pt.1)
Octopus's Garden
Interview December 1973 (Pt.2)
Yellow Submarine

David Wigg : "The first interview was conducted from the back of his chauffeur driven grey Mercedes en-route from Ringo's home to a medical examination in London.
This was necessary before he started work on "The Magic Christian".
Even as far back as 1968 Ringo made no attempt to disguise the fact that there had been some disharmony within the group."
"There's a famous saying, 'You always hurt the one you love'", said Ringo, "and we all love each other."

"In the second interview Ringo was taking an active interest in the running of Apple, and discusses what Beatlemania meant to him.

When I arrived for a third interview with Ringo in December 1973, the notice on his office door at Apple read,
"Dr. Baron Frankenstein - Brain Specialist"
Inside a stuffed bat and a skeleton head stared down ... the horror film accessories had come from his work on the film, "Son Of Dracula".
Ringo popped a brandy into both our coffees and then talked about the possibility of The Beatles reforming, the future of Apple, his investments, and his thoughts on reincarnation.

Further Interview Issues.

Adelaide - Picture Disc
Adelaide Picture Disc - Front

First let me say that I do not possess all of these albums (just some), and for all of them there is an awful lot of conflicting information of dates/content etc in the variety of reference works out there. Even my copies of the "Bible" of recorded music, "The Music Master" (at £120 a time !) varies from edition to edition !
I will list information and provide scans of the ones I do have as I get round to them !

Next, an explanation of the "Open-ended" interviews mentioned in the detail below :
Each "open-ended" interview mentioned is a promo sent to radio stations of an "open-ended" interview, with a printed list of the questions. The promo only contains the Beatles answers to the questions with blank pauses between the answers. Each individual radio station D.J. could then appear to have his own exclusive interview with the Beatles live on-air !

More Interview Albums

Issue Date Title Label/Catno Relevant Info
20th February 1981 Hear The Beatles Tell All Charly - CRV 202 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
1st May 1982 The Beatles Talk Downunder (1964) Goughsound - GP 5001 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
25th June 1982 Beatles Interviews (1964/1966) Everest - CBR 1008 A selection of interviews from the mid-sixties :
Vancouver press conference 22nd August 1964.
Chicago press conference 11th August 1966.
Seattle press conference 25th August 1966.
plus an interview with John by Dusty Adams.
1st February 1984 Beatles Talk Downunder (1964) Goughsound - PGP 5001 A picture disc version of the album of the same title above.
17th March 1985 Words And Music Cambra - CR 5149 Interviews (no detail listed in the catalogue)
Plus tracks from Decca audition and Star-Club.
Deleted 1988.
6th June 1986 The Beatles Live! The First Radio Interview Lyntone - LYN 17148 Flexi disc issued free with the Mark Lewisohn book, it contains the first known recorded interview with the fab-four taped 27th October 1962 backstage at Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight, Cheshire and aired on a local hospital radio station.
A segment of it appears on Anthology 1.
1st August 1986 Beatles Talk Downunder (1964) Shanghai - GP 5001 A re-release picture disc version of the album of the same title above.
25th February 1987 Beatles Interviews Volume 2 Premier - CBR 1047 The Kenny Everett June 1968 interview.
Help! open-ended interview with voice of Wink "Deck Of Cards" Martindale
12th October 1987 Downunder Vol.1 Raven - RVLP 1012 Australian release only, sold on Import here .. eventually released by Baktabak 1989, see below.
12th October 1987 Downunder Vol.2 Raven - RVLP 1013 Australian release only, sold on Import here .. eventually released by Baktabak 1989, see below.
6th February 1988 The Beatles Conquer The U.S.A. Baktabak - CBAK 4001 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
14th April 1988 Beatles Interview Picture Disc Vol.2 Baktabak - CBAK 4009 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
4th August 1988 Beatles Interview Picture Disc Vol.2 (LP) Baktabak - BAK 2108 A February 1964 "open-ended" interview, with voice the of Bob Miles.
"Teen Set" interview with John and Paul from August 1965.
12th August 1966 interview with Ken Douglas.
31st October 1988 The Gospel According to The Beatles Baktabak - BAK 2108 Only Allen Wiener lists this separately, the U.K.'s "Music Master" lists the above.
13th November 1988 Beatles Interview Picture Disc (LP)
The Beatles Conquer The U.S.A.		 Baktabak - BAK 2114 L.P. version of CD of same title above.
Murray the K interviews
Seattle 1966 press conference.
12th December 1988 The Conversation Disc Series ABCD - ABCD 005 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
7th October 1989 Beatles Talk Downunder Vol.1 (1964) Baktabak - VBAK 3004 The import album released originally by Raven as mentioned above, was issued here split over two separate picture disc albums.

George's 21st February 1964 telephone interview with Ed Ruby, with Ed's voice edited out, and Miami DJ Charlie Murdock's voice edited in !
WQAM Radio 21st February 1964 presentation "Farewell To Miami".
Bernice Lumb interviewing John, George, Ringo and Brian Epstein March 1964.
Australia June 1964, press conference clips, including :
   10th June with Bob Rogers in Hong Kong
   11th June with John Edwards in Darwin
   12th June with Bob Rogers, Sydney to Adelaide
   14th June with Gavin Rutherford in Melbourne
   15th June with Allan Lappin and Bob Rogers in Melbourne
   17th June Paul announcing Ringo's return in Melbourne
   18th June at a 22nd birthday party for Paul
   21st June with Bob Rogers, Sydney to Wellington NZ
   22nd June with Bob Rogers in Wellington NZ
   24th June with Bob Rogers in Auckland NZ
   26th June with Bob Rogers in Dunedin
   29th June with Tony McArthur in Brisbane
   1st July with Rogers and Rutherford in Sydney.
Rome 27th June 1965, press conference exerpt.
Madrid 2nd July 1965 - Graham Webb interview.
Minneapolis 21st August 1965 press conference.
Tokyo June 1966 interview.
Seattle 25th August 1966 Dusty Adams exerpt.
17th November 1989 Beatles Talk Downunder (and All Over) Vol.2 (1964) Baktabak - VBAK 3006
12th January 1990 Beatles Talk Downunder Vol.1 (1964) Baktabak - CBAK 4024 C.D. release of the 7th October 1989 L.P. release.
5th March 1990 Adelaide Press Conference (1964) Wax - FAB 7-1 E.P. release of Adelaide 12th June 1964 interview with Bob Rogers.
4th June 1990 Vancouver Press Conference/Interviews 64 Wax - FAB 7-2 E.P. release of Chicago 11th August 1966 press conference where John attempts to explain his "bigger than Jesus" remark. Plus a 1964 Murray the K interview.
(The release is incorrectly entitled as being "Vancouver" !)
6th August 1990 Seattle Press Conference Wax - FAB 7-3 E.P. release of Chicago 11th August 1966 press conference and Seattle 25th August 1966.
6th August 1990 George Martin Talks about The Beatles Discussion - STUD 10 No detail in the catalogue.
10th September 1990 Beatles Talk Downunder Vol.2 (1964) Baktabak - CBAK 4034 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
10th September 1990 Tokyo Interviews Wax - FAB 7-4 E.P. release of Japanese interviews June-July 1966.
29th October 1990 Dallas Press Conference Wax - FAB 7-5 E.P. release of Dallas press conference of 18th September 1964.
3rd June 1991 Beatles Talk Downunder (1964) Baktabak - CBAK 4024 Re-release of earlier album of same title.
3rd June 1991 Beatles Talk Downunder Vol.2 Baktabak - CBAK 4034 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
26th August 1991 Introspective Baktabak - LINT 5004 Interview album.
Plus six live tracks.
11th November 1991 Press Conferences (1964-1966) Discussion - REVOL 4 Various press conference exerpts.
April 1992 Interview Picture Disc WordsAboutMusic - WAM 04 No official detail available - maybe a bootleg ?
June 1993 Ask You Once Again Holoview - 3D 002 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
4th September 1994 Hear The Beatles Tell All Charly - CDCD 1185 CD release of the 1981 interview album.
Originally used in the U.S. by Vee Jay records as a promotional release during the Beatles 1964 summer tour. It was legitimately released in the U.S. on 14th September 1964.

Los Angeles 24/25 August 1964 with Dave Hull and Jim Steck.
July 1995 Interview Disc And Fully Illustrated Book Sound and Media - SAM 7001 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
July 1995 Quote Unquote Thunderbolt - CDTB 506 Double C.D. of interviews from the mid-60's.
Recorded in England, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Italy and the U.S.
Total time - 138:48
August 1995 Rare Photos and Interview C.D. Vol.1 MasterTone - JG 001-2 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
August 1995 Rare Photos and Interview C.D. Vol.2 Mastertone - JG 002-2 No confirmed detail available
August 1995 Rare Photos and Interview CD Vol.3 Mastertone - JG 003-2 No official detail available - maybe a bootleg ?
4th December 1995 Rockumentary - In Their Own Words Laserlight - 15 968 5 C.D. Boxset containing the FIVE C.D.'s following !
For FULL information of this release and the five
discs following click on the title.
4th December 1995 Rockumentary No. 1
The Lost Beatles Interviews		 Laserlight - 12 591 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th December 1995 Rockumentary No. 2
Paul McCartney: Beyond The Myth		 Laserlight - 12 592 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th December 1995 Rockumentary No. 3
Things We Said Today		 Laserlight - 12 593 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th December 1995 Rockumentary No. 4
The Secret Life of George Harrison		 Laserlight - 12 594 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th December 1995 Rockumentary No. 5
John Lennon Forever		 Laserlight - 12 595 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews Laserlight - 15 981 5 C.D. Boxset containing the FIVE C.D.'s following !
For FULL information of this release and the five
discs following click on the title.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews No. 1
In My Life		 Laserlight - 12 676 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews No. 2
All Together Now		 Laserlight - 12 677 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews No. 3
Beatlemania		 Laserlight - 12 678 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews No. 4
Talk Downunder - Australia Beatlemania		 Laserlight - 12 679 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
4th March 1996 Inside Interviews No. 5
Talk Downunder - Sydney to Seattle		 Laserlight - 12 680 FULL information of this release contained within
the link from the 5 C.D. box set above.
April 1996 Behind The Beat Mastertone - MM 5003 No official detail available - maybe a bootleg ?
April 1996 Press Conferences 1964-1966 Wax - DISSCD 1 Re-release of 1991 Discussion album.
20th May 1996 Interview Disc 1 Wax - BEAT 1 No detail listed in catalogue.
20th May 1996 Interview Disc 2 Wax - BEAT 2 No detail listed in catalogue.
20th May 1996 Interview Disc 3 Wax - BEAT 3 No detail listed in catalogue.
20th May 1996 Interview Disc 4 Wax - BEAT 4 No detail listed in catalogue.
31st July 1996 Quote Unquote Vol. 1 MagMid - MM 002 No detail listed in catalogue.
31st July 1996 Quote Unquote Vol. 2 MagMid - MM 009 No detail listed in catalogue.
November 1996 Ask You Once Again Network - 3D 002 No detail listed in catalogue.
Re-release of the June 1993 "Holoview" C.D. ?
June 1997 Interview 1980 Fab Four - FABFOUR 5 No detail listed in catalogue.
3rd November 1997 Biography Series Metro Independent - 10026 No detail listed in catalogue.
27th November 1998 East Coast Invasion Thunderbolt - CDTB 194 No detail listed in catalogue.
18th January 1999 Magical And Mystical Words Oz It Records - OZIT CD0033 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
24th May 1999 Interview Disc Fab Four - FABFOUR 1 No detail listed in catalogue.
24th May 1999 Interview Disc Fab Four - FABFOUR 2 No detail listed in catalogue.
24th May 1999 Interview Disc Fab Four - FABFOUR 3 No detail listed in catalogue.
24th May 1999 Interview Disc Fab Four - FABFOUR 4 No detail listed in catalogue.
26th May 2000 Not For A Second Time Thunderbolt - CDTB 208 No detail listed in catalogue.
28th July 2000 Things We Said Today Thunderbolt - CDTB 209 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.
11th September 2000 Interview Disc Rock On ROM - STPROM 1 No detail listed in catalogue.
2nd October 2000 West Coast Invasion Thunderbolt - CDTB 195 No detail listed in catalogue.
9th October 2000 As It Happened Chrome Dreams - ABCD 067
(or catno = CIS 2001)		 No detail listed in catalogue.
29th September 2001 From Britain With Beat Thunderbolt - CDTB 220 No detail listed in catalogue.
11th February 2002 Talkology Vol. 1 Chrome Dreams - CDTY 001 No detail listed in catalogue.
11th February 2002 Talkology Vol. 2 Chrome Dreams - CDTY 002 No detail listed in catalogue.
11th February 2002 Talkology Vol. 3 Chrome Dreams - CDTY 003 No detail listed in catalogue.
Spring 2002 Interviews Musicbank - APWCD 1200 Full detail with scans and tracklisting is available.
Simply click on the title link.

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