Harry Benson. The Beatles

In early 1964, Harry Benson, a photographer for London’s Daily Express, received a call from the photo editor to cover the Beatles' trip to Paris. This assignment marked the start of a pivotal period in Benson's career and resulted in some of the most personal and telling photographs of the Beatles ever taken. While in Paris, he captured the iconic image of the band engaged in a lively pillow fight at the George V Hotel, a photograph he regards as the pinnacle of his work. That same year, Benson joined the Beatles on their inaugural U.S. tour, capturing their landmark appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, their surprising meeting with Cassius Clay, and the intense fan frenzy known as Beatlemania in New York. He also documented George Harrison’s honeymoon in Barbados and captured the band during the filming of their debut film, A Hard Day’s Night. Benson was also present during their infamous 1966 tour, which included John Lennon’s controversial remark about the band being “more popular than Jesus.” This pocket-sized edition revives the finest of Benson’s striking black-and-white Beatles photographs. Enhanced with period quotes and newspaper excerpts, and featuring an introduction by Benson himself, the book offers personal insights into these enduring images of one of the greatest musical groups of all time.