Footage from the Beatles’ first-ever appearance on British TV show “Top of the Pops” in 1964 has resurfaced — clips fans have long called the holy grail of Beatlemania.
Film preservation group Film is Fabulous! announced it has unearthed a complete 35mm film of the Fab Four’s March 19, 1964 performance at BBC’s Television Theatre in London, where they performed “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “You Can’t Do That” one day before they were released on a single.
The footage — which captures four grainy takes of “Can’t Buy Me Love” and two of “You Can’t Do That,” banter and bloopers included — was given to the group by the family of a deceased former industry professional.
The original 35mm film of the performance will now be restored and returned to the BBC archives, Film Is Fabulous wrote on social media.
The BBC had wiped and reused the original tape, as it routinely did at the time, leaving only grainy, distorted fragments and negatives known to survive for more than 60 years.
John Lennon even got a moment in during the second take of “You Can’t Do That,” where he made a funny face when a camera moved in for a close-up.
“During breaks, the Beatles openly joked, and could be seen dancing to amuse themselves,” the group said.
“Top of the Pops” is a musical institution across the pond, known for its “live” performances of bands lip-synching their hit songs.
When the public will get to see the footage remains unclear, though Film Is Fabulous! said discussions are underway to make the content available to a wide audience.
The find comes less than a week before Global Beatles Day on June 25, when Apple Corps is set to release a colorized version of the band’s “All You Need Is Love” BBC broadcast online for the first time.