Beatles & Rolling Stones NME Poll Winners All Star Concert Program from 4/11/1965

This is a very rare program for the 1964-1965 New Music Express Poll Winners All-Star Concert, held April 11, 1965 at the Empire Pool, Wembley, London. Remarkably, the Beatles and Stones only performed on the same bill twice, this was the first time, the second was at the next year’s New Musical Express Poll Winners show, on May 1, 1966.

NME was one of the most important music papers in England, and both bands were in their prime.  The Beatles bio in the program notes “today’s concert coincides with the boy’s latest single release in this country, “Ticket to Ride”…and the world now eagerly waits their second picture, which is now nearing completion, “Eight Arms to Hold You”, that was the original title for their movie next movie, which was eventually named HELP!.  

The Stones bio mentions that heir disc sales have rocketed and towards the end of 1964, they finally secured their long-awaited first No 1 hit, “Little Red Rooster”, soon to be followed by another chart-topping success with “The Last Time.”

Also on the incredible bill were the Animals, Kinks, Moody Blues, Them, Searchers, Cilla Black, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Freddie and the Dreamers, Herman’s Hermits, Tom Jones, the Rockin’ Berries, Dusty Springfield and more.  What an amazing night that must have been. 

The program has 20 pages, filled photos and bios for each act, and vintage ads.  Program was  5 5/8″ x 8 3/4″ inches. An incredible piece of musical history, highlighting the first British Invasion that ran from 1964-1968...

The Beatles Historical Documents Fully Signed NEMS & Tony Barrow Letter To Paul Drew

An extremely rare typed and signed letter sent by The Beatles to Atlanta DJ Paul Drew, who traveled with them during their 1964 and 1965 U.S. Tours; along with a typed and signed letter from Beatles press officer Tony Barrow, confirming details for the 1965 tour.

On both the ’64 and ’65 tours, Drew accompanied The Beatles on their chartered plane, interviewing the group many times, and introducing them at their August 18, 1965 concert at Atlanta Stadium. Drew went on to become one of the most important radio programmers in the America, and interviewed the individual Beatles numerous times after the group split 

Tony Barrow’s letter, also on NEMS stationery, is dated August 5, 1965 and gives Drew details for the upcoming tour. The Beatles also wrote to Drew on September 6, 1965, six days after the end of their second U.S. Tour, and only six days before beginning recording sessions for Rubber Soul.

On NEMS stationery The Beatles write “Dear Paul, We just thought that we would like to write to you all and say thanks very much for your help on the tour.  We enjoyed it and appreciated your patience and co-operation.  Hope to see You Next Year.”  John Lennon, Paul McCartney and John Lennon each sign with their first names, reflecting their then close relationship with Drew.  George Harrison signs with his first and last names.

Any official NEMS correspondence having to do with The Beatles is rare and highly collectible.  These two pieces are truly extraordinary; the first one of a very few signed letters from The Beatles, and the second, a letter regarding their second U.S. Tour from their legendary publicist to a Beatles insider.