Gallery: The Beatles as you've never seen them before

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By ( Classic Rock ) published

In 1967 The Beatles gathered at Abbey Road to broadcast All You Need Is Love to a live, worldwide TV audience. Photographer David Magnus was there to capture the behind-the-scenes action...

The Beatles in the EMI Canteen
The Beatles in the EMI Canteen (Image credit: \u00a9David Magnus)

David Magnus caught a lucky break early in his career. After finding a job at a photography studio in London’s Jermyn Street in the early 1960s, he was despatched to shoot a young pop group playing an end of term concert at Stowe School, Buckinghamshire. That group was The Beatles, and the rest is history: the band liked the photos, and Magnus was granted access to the band throughout their career.

When the band came to film their historic All You Need Is Love broadcast in June 1967, Magnus was a natural choice to document the event, gaining exclusive access to the rehearsals and the live show. Amongst those who attended the event were Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Marianne Faithful, Jane Asher, Patti Boyd, Mike McGear, Graham Nash, members of the Small Faces and Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

“As I came from the EMI canteen,” says Magnus, “one of the female studio staff stopped me, put a hand on my shoulder and said to me, ‘I must touch you as you’ve been in the same room as The Beatles.’”

Several of the photographs from the shoot have become iconic, but some have never been seen in public before, and a new exhibition at Proud Galleries in Chelsea is putting that right.

The Beatles Unseen: Photographs by David Magnus opened yesterday, and will run until May 14.

One of the last photographs of Brian Epstein with The Beatles before his untimely death just weeks later, 1967

One of the last photographs of Brian Epstein with The Beatles before his untimely death just weeks later, 1967 (Image credit: © David Magnus)

The Beatles invited a number of friends to see the recording, one of whom was Mick Jagger.

The Beatles invited a number of friends to see the recording, one of whom was Mick Jagger. (Image credit: © David Magnus)

Ringo having a well-earned break during rehearsals.

Ringo having a well-earned break during rehearsals. (Image credit: © David Magnus)

Paul and John at rehearsals, 1967

Paul and John at rehearsals, 1967 (Image credit: © David Magnus)

Paul McCartney and John Lennon taking a cigarette break during rehearsals, 1967

Paul McCartney and John Lennon taking a cigarette break during rehearsals, 1967 (Image credit: © David Magnus)

Brian Epstein and Paul McCartney during a break from recording. One of the last pictures of Brian with The Beatles.

Brian Epstein and Paul McCartney during a break from recording. One of the last pictures of Brian with The Beatles. (Image credit: © David Magnus)

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Classic Rock
Classic Rock

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