The Beatles

In early 1964, photographer Harry Benson received a call from the photo editor of London´s Daily Express, who asked him to cover The Beatles’ trip to Paris. It was the beginning of a career-defining relationship, which would both make Benson’s name and produce some of the most intimate photographs ever taken of The Beatles. In Paris, Benson captured the Fab Four in the midst of a pillow fight at the George V Hotel, an icnoic image which came to epitomize the spirit of the Mancunian quartet?Benson himself has called it the best shot of his career. Later that year, he followed the group on the road for their debut US tour, documenting their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, their surprising encounter with Cassius Clay, and the hysteria of New York Beatlemania. Benson also received privileged access to photograph George Harrison’s honeymoon in Barbados. This book collects the best of Benson’s luminous black and white Beatles portfolio, alongside quotes and newspaper clippings from the period, and an introduction by the photographer himself, adding personal testimony to these era-defining images.