A gallery of Beatles photos recently discovered by the photographer after almost 50 years go on display at the Beatles Story in Liverpool starting today (Aug. 24).
The 38 black-and-white shots of the Fabs on tour with singer Helen Shapiro were taken between 1963 and 1964 and were unearthed by photographer Paul Berriff in the attic of his home. They show John, Paul, Ringo and George in unguarded moments, rehearsing on stage, smoking in their dressing room and relaxing with drinks and snacks.
“I started to root around in my attic and I found this box of about 800 negs (negatives) and in it were shots of these old pop groups in ’63. I was absolutely knocked out when I saw the quality and realised I should do something with them," Berriff said. “I feel that the photographs are coming home to Liverpool and the Beatles Story is the most fitting place to have the images on show.”
He took the photos after he was given unlimited access to the band in the months before Beatlemania. His girlfriend accompanied him on the assignment. After that, security was so tight around the band that only a handful of authorized photographers had access to the band. The shots were taken at venues such as the ABC Cinema in Huddersfield, the Odeon in Leeds and the Apollo in Manchester. Berriff says he has fond memories of the time he spent with the Beatles and got on particularly well with Paul.
The images have not been shown publicly except for a four-day showing at London’s Menier Gallery in April. They will be on permanent display at The Beatles Story. Entry to the Beatles "Hidden Gallery" will be free.
Berriff, then a 16-year-old editorial assistant on the Yorkshire Evening Post, is now a BAFTA award-winning photographer and documentary maker. He says the photographs, called ‘The Beatles Hidden Gallery’, will have found their rightful home when they are unveiled at the Beatles Story.
Jerry Goldman of The Beatles Story said: “We are delighted that these unique images are going to have a home at the Beatles Story. They are very revealing photos as they picture the Beatles in unguarded moments fooling around, sharing a snack and relaxing and I’m confident that our visitors will love them. Although they were on display in London in April, they were only on show to the public for a very short space of time. Many more people will be able to view these photos in all their glory here and they are a welcome addition to the Beatles Story, and all that we have to offer.”
The images are also available for sale with each of the 38 individual photos being produced in a limited edition run of 49, each signed by the photographer.
Berriff has had a 45-year career starting out as a copy boy and press photographer at the Yorkshire Evening Post and later becoming the youngest ever cameraman for the BBC at 21. Since then, his career has taken him to locations from Nicaragua to Borneo. Earning the nickname "The Indiana Jones of Television," he says his camera has been his "passport to adventure." Among his many successes, he was a pioneer of the "fly on the wall" reality documentary. He has won 19 industry awards, including a BAFTA for best factual film.
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