Radio: The Lennon And McCartney Songbook

John Lennon and Paul McCartney gave interviews on this day for a one-hour BBC radio show titled The Lennon And McCartney Songbook.

The interview was to have taken place at Kenwood, Lennon’s home in Weybridge, but was switched to McCartney’s house at 7 Cavendish Avenue, London. Producer Derek Chinnery and interviewer Keith Fordyce were present from the BBC.

Lennon and McCartney discussed more than 15 cover versions of their songs, including recordings by Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and The Mamas And The Papas. The interview took place from 4-6pm, with breaks for tea. The recording was interrupted in places by McCartney’s sheepdog puppy Martha.

The Lennon And McCartney Songbook was first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme service from 4.30-5.30 on 29 August 1966, the day of The Beatles’ final concert.

A 13-minute edit was also sent on vinyl disc to overseas radio stations by the BBC’s Transcription Service. This version was without the music, and was renamed Songwriters Extraordinary – Lennon And McCartney.