Expert: Pattie - 5/4/2009

Question
The Beatles played two shows at the Indiana State Fair on September 3, 1964.  The 5:00 PM show in the Coliseum was recorded on audio tape and film. I believe the audio recording was made by WIFE-AM (formerly WISH-AM) for possible radio broadcast sometime after the Beatles visit. I believe the film was made by WISH-TV and titled "Our Fair Beatles". It also was made for possible tv broadcast sometime after the Beatles visit. I would like to know if either, or both, of these were ever actually broadcast in Indianapolis? If they were do you know approximately when that occured? Any additional information you can provide concerning these audio and film recordings (who made them, how they were made, etc.) would be greatly appreciated.

The audio recording eventually appeared on a bootleg CD "The Beatles State Fair to Hollywood".


Answer
Hi Brian!

Great question! Well, I did a bit of research and it turns out that the concert was originally shot on 16mm by WISH-TV for the special you referred to, "Our Fair Beatles." WISH-TV aired the concert on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1964. The special was 30 minutes in length. The concert was also broadcast live on WIFE-AM, announced by Jerry Baker. It also was aired recently, July 29, 2008 at the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. They may own a copy of it. I'd love to see the entire special. I own the audio bootleg that you refer to. The quality is better than a lot of others that I've heard. You can also see a few performances from the concert on YouTube.

Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnbUXdnF40w&feature=related

Part Two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaNA3IHbxnc&feature=related

Part Three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XQ42dvzIjo

I hope this helped and thanks again for the question!

Peace,
Pattie
8^)