Collection: David Magnus

David’s early work with The Beatles and their acceptance of him allowed David unprecedented access to them. This culminated when The Beatles took part in the first ever live world-wide TV satellite broadcast called Our World. Each of the 19 countries taking part would also have their own segments featuring something special from that country. The UK segment was a live performance of The Beatles recording their song “All You Need Is Love.” The rehearsal and transmission took place at the famous EMI Studio 1 at Abbey Road London. David had exclusive coverage on both the 24th and 25th June and later on that evening of the 25th June for the actual transmission. The Beatles wanted the studio to have a party atmosphere, so a great deal of time was spent decorating the studio to reflect this. The Beatles themselves were all dressed in colourful clothes and were surrounded by flowers, balloons and placards. To further add to the party atmosphere The Beatles invited a number of their friends to attend. These friends included Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Keith Moon, Marianne Faithful, Eric Clapton, Jane Asher, Patti Boyd and Graham Nash and The Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

One aspect of the photographs that David took that day saddened him greatly, the photographs of Brian Epstein and The Beatles, are the last ever photographs of Brian Epstein with The Beatles as Brian died shortly afterwards. The program was to be relayed to 24 countries worldwide and it has been estimated that more than 400 million people worldwide saw it.