Wednesday 12 August 1964 | Radio
On the evening of 12 August 1964, Brian Epstein held a party at his home at Flat 15, Whaddon House, William Mews, London. All four Beatles attended, as did Judy Garland, Cilla Black, Lionel Bart and members of The Rolling Stones.
During the party, Ringo Starr gave an interview to Chris Hutchins — normally a journalist for the New Musical Express — for the BBC radio series The Teen Scene. Starr discussed The Beatles’ forthcoming US tour. The interview was broadcast the following night, 13 August 1964, at 9.30pm on the BBC Light Programme.
The party
Brian Epstein’s home at Whaddon House in Knightsbridge was a regular gathering point for the London music and entertainment world in the mid-1960s. The guest list on 12 August 1964 was a remarkable snapshot of the era’s cultural elite.
Judy Garland (1922–1969) was one of the most celebrated entertainers in the world, best known for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and her legendary Carnegie Hall concert of 1961. By 1964 she was a beloved figure in the gay community — a community that overlapped significantly with the world Epstein moved in. Garland died in London in June 1969.
Cilla Black (1943–2015) was a Liverpool singer managed by Brian Epstein who had scored a number one hit with ‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’ in February 1964 and would follow it with ‘You’re My World’ later that year. She was a close friend of The Beatles and a key figure in the NEMS stable.
Lionel Bart (1930–1999) was the British composer and lyricist best known for writing the musical Oliver! (1960), one of the most successful British stage musicals of the twentieth century. He was a prominent figure in the London entertainment world and a friend of Epstein’s.
The presence of The Rolling Stones at an Epstein party in August 1964 reflects the close — if sometimes competitive — relationship between the two groups at the height of the British Invasion. The Stones had released their debut album in April 1964 and were rapidly becoming The Beatles’ chief rivals for pop supremacy.
Ringo Starr — officially licensed merch
Ringo Starr Unisex T-Shirt: Colour Peace (Black).
The Teen Scene and the forthcoming US tour
The Teen Scene was a BBC radio programme broadcast on the Light Programme, the BBC’s popular music and entertainment service that preceded Radio 2. Chris Hutchins was a journalist and publicist who worked primarily for the New Musical Express and had close relationships with many of the leading acts of the British Invasion era. He later wrote biographies of Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.
The US tour Ringo discussed was The Beatles’ 1964 North American Tour, which ran from 19 August to 20 September 1964. It was their second North American tour, following the triumphant visit of February 1964 that had launched Beatlemania in the United States. The 1964 tour comprised 32 concerts in 24 cities and was the largest concert tour undertaken by any act up to that point.
The Beatles — officially licensed merch
The Beatles: Please Please Me Gold Foiled T-Shirt (Black).
Key Facts
| Date | Wednesday 12 August 1964 |
| Location | Flat 15, Whaddon House, William Mews, London (Brian Epstein’s home) |
| Interviewer | Chris Hutchins (New Musical Express / BBC) |
| Programme | The Teen Scene, BBC Light Programme |
| Broadcast | 13 August 1964, 9.30pm, BBC Light Programme |
| Notable guests | Judy Garland, Cilla Black, Lionel Bart, The Rolling Stones |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who attended Brian Epstein's party on 12 August 1964?
All four Beatles attended, along with Judy Garland, Cilla Black, Lionel Bart and members of The Rolling Stones. The party was held at Epstein's home at Flat 15, Whaddon House, William Mews, London.
What was The Teen Scene?
The Teen Scene was a BBC radio programme broadcast on the Light Programme, the BBC's popular music and entertainment service. Ringo Starr's interview for the programme was broadcast on 13 August 1964 at 9.30pm.
What US tour did Ringo Starr discuss in the interview?
Ringo discussed The Beatles' 1964 North American Tour, which ran from 19 August to 20 September 1964. It comprised 32 concerts in 24 cities and was the largest concert tour undertaken by any act up to that point.
Who was Chris Hutchins?
Chris Hutchins was a journalist who worked primarily for the New Musical Express and had close relationships with many leading acts of the British Invasion era. He later wrote biographies of Elvis Presley and Tom Jones.
→ The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Llandudno – 12 August 1963
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
→ August in Beatles History
→ On This Day in Beatles History
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