Recording: Around The Beatles, IBC Studios, London

Sunday 19 April 1964 | Studio, The Beatles

On 19 April 1964, The Beatles continued recording sessions for the television special Around The Beatles at IBC Studios, 35 Portland Place, London. The programme itself would be filmed later, on 28 April, but required specially recorded audio rather than using existing EMI masters.

The session ran from 10am until 8.30pm, following an identical recording day on 18 April. Unlike their EMI work, there was no traditional producer present; instead, IBC manager Alan Stagg oversaw proceedings alongside engineer Alan Florence and tape operator Peter Robinson.

The recording process was methodical: backing tracks were laid down in the morning, vocals added in the afternoon, and in the evening a small audience of invited girls provided overdubbed screams and applause to simulate a live concert atmosphere.

The studio operated a three-track Ampex machine, with instrumentation, vocals, and audience effects recorded separately — a practical solution for synchronisation with the mimed television performances.

🎵 Recorded Songs

• Twist And Shout
• Roll Over Beethoven
• I Wanna Be Your Man
• Long Tall Sally
• Boys
• Can’t Buy Me Love
• Medley: Love Me Do / Please Please Me / From Me To You / She Loves You / I Want To Hold Your Hand
• Shout (Isley Brothers cover)

The performance of ‘Shout’ featured lead vocals shared between all four Beatles. Although recorded for the programme, not all tracks were used in the final broadcast; notably, ‘Boys’ was omitted.

Several recordings from these sessions were later officially released on Anthology 1 (1995), including ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘Long Tall Sally’, ‘Boys’, and an edited version of ‘Shout’.

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FAQ

Why were new recordings made for Around The Beatles?

The show used mimed performances, requiring specially recorded audio rather than standard EMI releases.

How long did the session last?

The recording session ran from 10am to 8.30pm.

What was unusual about the recording setup?

A three-track system separated backing music, vocals, and audience noise for later synchronisation.

Were these recordings officially released?

Yes, several tracks appeared on the 1995 release Anthology 1.