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The Beatles and Me On Tour
In the summer of 1964, the Beatles took America by storm and changed rock ’n’ roll forever. In this first-ever chronicling of that revolutionary tour from the inside, author Ivor Davis serves up the stories behind the stories as only an insider can.In the rowdy and riotous recollections of The Beatles and Me On Tour , Ivor Davis, then a reporter for the London Daily Express , shares his unrestricted access to the Liverpool lads as a member of the Beatles entourage. From inside the band’s hotel suites to the concert arenas to the private jets, the madness and magic plays out through Davis’ personal accounts of hanging with the Beatles for thirty-four jam-packed days.Go behind the scenes for all-night Monopoly games with John Lennon, witness the Beatles’ legendary living-room jam with Elvis, and be there the night Bob Dylan introduces the band to pot. Roll up for this definitive account of the legendary band at a critical moment in the history of rock ’n’ roll.
- GenresMusicNonfictionMemoir
338 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2014
About the author
Ivor Davis
12 books12 followersIn the summer of 1964, the Beatles embarked on a record-breaking pandemonium-inducing tour of America and Canada. The Beatles and Me on Tour presents the first chronicle of that tour told by an insider: author/journalist Ivor Davis, then a young British reporter for the London Daily Express. Ivor was the only British newspaper writer invited on the entire tour.
Through thirty-four days and twenty-four cities, Davis traveled with the Beatles watching them make rock history. He enjoyed unrestricted access to the four boys fresh from Liverpool—from their hotel suites to backstage at concert arenas to their private jet. He fended off excited girls, and their insistent mothers, attempts to hook up with the band. Ivor played all night games of Monopoly with John Lennon, became the ghostwriter of a newspaper column for George Harrison, and witnessed the night Bob Dylan “deflowered” the young marijuana virgins.
London-born Ivor Davis first came to America in the early sixties and was appointed West Coast correspondent for the 4-million-a-day circulation London Daily Express in l963.
Over more than four decades as a writer for the Daily Express and the Times of London, Ivor covered major events in North America. He penned a weekly entertainment column for the New York Times Syndicate for over 15 years, interviewing some of the biggest names in show business, from Cary Grant to Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton to Tom Cruise and Muhammad Ali.
In 1962 he was smuggled onto the campus of the riot-torn University of Mississippi when James Meredith was enrolled and three years later was in the front lines as Los Angeles’ Watts riots erupted.
Ivor covered Robert Kennedy’s 1968 presidential bid and was in the Ambassador Hotel the night Kennedy was assassinated. He was one of the Boys on the Bus chronicling the life of actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan, first in his campaign for governor of California, then for president.
He was a co-author of the l969 political book Divided They Stand, which chronicled the Presidential election; and witnessed some of the biggest trials in American history: Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of killing Bobby Kennedy in 1969; black-power militant Angela Davis, acquitted of murder in l972; a year later, Daniel Ellsberg’s trial for leaking the Pentagon Papers, and, in 1976, he was in San Francisco to see heiress Patty Hearst convicted of robbery after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
In l969 he co-wrote Five to Die, the first book ever published about the Sharon Tate murders. (The book was updated in 2011.) As a foreign correspondent, he traveled throughout the western hemisphere covering riots, floods, earthquakes and politics. As Editor at Large for Los Angeles Magazine, he and his late wife Sally Ogle Davis wrote over 100 major magazine and cover stories. He has reported on four World Soccer Cups for CBS radio.
He currently lives in Southern California and is working on two new books: one about movies the other a true crime story.
Through thirty-four days and twenty-four cities, Davis traveled with the Beatles watching them make rock history. He enjoyed unrestricted access to the four boys fresh from Liverpool—from their hotel suites to backstage at concert arenas to their private jet. He fended off excited girls, and their insistent mothers, attempts to hook up with the band. Ivor played all night games of Monopoly with John Lennon, became the ghostwriter of a newspaper column for George Harrison, and witnessed the night Bob Dylan “deflowered” the young marijuana virgins.
London-born Ivor Davis first came to America in the early sixties and was appointed West Coast correspondent for the 4-million-a-day circulation London Daily Express in l963.
Over more than four decades as a writer for the Daily Express and the Times of London, Ivor covered major events in North America. He penned a weekly entertainment column for the New York Times Syndicate for over 15 years, interviewing some of the biggest names in show business, from Cary Grant to Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton to Tom Cruise and Muhammad Ali.
In 1962 he was smuggled onto the campus of the riot-torn University of Mississippi when James Meredith was enrolled and three years later was in the front lines as Los Angeles’ Watts riots erupted.
Ivor covered Robert Kennedy’s 1968 presidential bid and was in the Ambassador Hotel the night Kennedy was assassinated. He was one of the Boys on the Bus chronicling the life of actor-turned-politician Ronald Reagan, first in his campaign for governor of California, then for president.
He was a co-author of the l969 political book Divided They Stand, which chronicled the Presidential election; and witnessed some of the biggest trials in American history: Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of killing Bobby Kennedy in 1969; black-power militant Angela Davis, acquitted of murder in l972; a year later, Daniel Ellsberg’s trial for leaking the Pentagon Papers, and, in 1976, he was in San Francisco to see heiress Patty Hearst convicted of robbery after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
In l969 he co-wrote Five to Die, the first book ever published about the Sharon Tate murders. (The book was updated in 2011.) As a foreign correspondent, he traveled throughout the western hemisphere covering riots, floods, earthquakes and politics. As Editor at Large for Los Angeles Magazine, he and his late wife Sally Ogle Davis wrote over 100 major magazine and cover stories. He has reported on four World Soccer Cups for CBS radio.
He currently lives in Southern California and is working on two new books: one about movies the other a true crime story.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 20, 2016
This book was written by Ivor Davis, who accompanied the Beatles on their 1964 tour of the States, as well as being involved with them at other points of their careers – both Beatles and solo. However, the bulk of this memoir does involve the 1964 US tour, which followed the band’s three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and the advent of Beatlemania, six months earlier. In 1964, Ivor Davis was twenty six and was the West Coast correspondent for the Daily Express.
During the Beatles first US tour, Ivor Davis became part of the band’s entourage; invited to travel with them everywhere, as well as ghost-writing a column for George Harrison. There are many, many books about the Beatles, of course, but it is interesting to read one from someone who was there throughout that early US tour, before things became too wearisome and success in America was exciting. However, you can sense, even this early, that cracks were starting to appear and that the endless, relentless, touring was telling on the band. Brian Epstein’s caving in to a huge financial offer to have the Beatles appear in Kansas may have been financially worthwhile, and accepted by the band, but in retrospect you can feel how tired they were of performing when they could not be heard and, perhaps more importantly, were often trapped throughout the duration of a tour.
So, what do we learn from this book? Not much perhaps. Ringo didn’t have much to say for himself, George was often grumpy, Paul slept with every woman he crossed paths with and John cheated at monopoly and often upset those around him with caustic, unpleasant remarks. Nothing, really, that fans have not read before. There is some information on meeting Dylan and Elvis, but, again, this has been covered. Still, this is an interesting memoir and I particularly liked reading about others in the entourage – Brian Epstein, of course, Neil and Mal and also Derek Taylor. A worthwhile read, but nothing that I had not read elsewhere. Rated 3.5.
During the Beatles first US tour, Ivor Davis became part of the band’s entourage; invited to travel with them everywhere, as well as ghost-writing a column for George Harrison. There are many, many books about the Beatles, of course, but it is interesting to read one from someone who was there throughout that early US tour, before things became too wearisome and success in America was exciting. However, you can sense, even this early, that cracks were starting to appear and that the endless, relentless, touring was telling on the band. Brian Epstein’s caving in to a huge financial offer to have the Beatles appear in Kansas may have been financially worthwhile, and accepted by the band, but in retrospect you can feel how tired they were of performing when they could not be heard and, perhaps more importantly, were often trapped throughout the duration of a tour.
So, what do we learn from this book? Not much perhaps. Ringo didn’t have much to say for himself, George was often grumpy, Paul slept with every woman he crossed paths with and John cheated at monopoly and often upset those around him with caustic, unpleasant remarks. Nothing, really, that fans have not read before. There is some information on meeting Dylan and Elvis, but, again, this has been covered. Still, this is an interesting memoir and I particularly liked reading about others in the entourage – Brian Epstein, of course, Neil and Mal and also Derek Taylor. A worthwhile read, but nothing that I had not read elsewhere. Rated 3.5.
March 9, 2026
you leave those beatles alone
September 9, 2015
The author, who worked for the London Daily Express, was sent on tour with the Beatles on their 1964 U.S. tour to file frequent stories about the group. While there is nothing much really new to learn in this book (it's common knowledge that Paul liked the ladies and they all liked to imbibe drink and drugs), there are a few interesting tidbits. I was fascinated that they stayed in motels and motor inns during their tours. Rock stars nowadays have whole hotel suites dedicated to their every whim. But they became increasingly disenchanted with touring and live appearances, because they had to do the same setlist, put up with terrible sound systems and the non-stop screaming of their rapturous teenage fans. Also, they were being used by other celebrities (encouraged by Brian Epstein) to promote their own publicity and sometimes felt like animals on display at the zoo. The inside look at the Beatles manager and the chapter on how the album cover was created for Sgt. Pepper were very interesting. It's a quick, entertaining read for any Beatles fan.
February 27, 2017
This title was published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles 1964 tour of North America. In 1964 I was a young Beatles fan so was delighted to be given the opportunity to read and review this account by Ivor Davis of his experiences whilst on tour with them. As he was with them the entire time during the tour, which was over a month, so he became quite close to them. The tales he tells and the many photos that are included give us another insight into The Beatles. This was a very special era in musical history and I urge all fans of any age to pick up this book as it is well written and interesting either to dip into or read from cover cover.
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June 4, 2017
I really didn't know anything about the Beatles prior to reading this book. I enjoyed getting to know them from their 1964 tour. Ivor did a good job researching and crediting sources. It was fun to find out more about the bandmembers and the tour after having listen to their music for so many years. Thanks Ivor.
August 2, 2021
One of the very best insider tales of this tour that changed rock and roll. Ivor was in the limo with them, on their plane and in their hotel at night. He went to all of the parties and met all the celebrities they did. An amazing adventure.
January 8, 2018
Interesting detailed narrative of the 1964/65 Beatles tours.
November 28, 2020
He was there in the eye of the storm of Jelly Babies. It reads like a warzone sometimes but then it was an invasion...
November 16, 2023
Not much we didn't already know and some we didn't want to. Rather boring
October 12, 2015
Whilst not a fan of the Beatles I've always had a fascination with the 50's/60's and the whole rock n roll thing which saw young girls literally throwing themselves at their musical heroes, these very heroes trashing hotel rooms - though (and I hope I'm not giving too much away here) for the record the worst thing Ivor Davis records is them 'ritualistically' urinating on a pile of used hotel towels and even this only after hearing rumours of one enterprising hotel employee helping himself to their sheets in order to sell them as souvenirs.
Very much a 'fly on the wall' account. The Beatles And Me On Tour recounts events of the twenty-four-city/thirty-four days 1964 tour which saw Beatlemania reach the US in a very much unembellished (dare I say almost clinical?) way - the sharp, 'straight to the point' sentences perhaps a sign of Davis' background as a journalist. A style you were either going to like or not. Alas whilst effective I'm afraid it just wasn't a style I particularly enjoyed.
A 'warts and all' account. Whilst some of what the author chronicles is common knowledge (yes, even to someone who isn't a fan) much of it was new to me and I must say came as a bit of a surprise, the Fab Four not being anywhere near as clean-cut as I had always thought them to be. However for me it wasn't so much the insight into Paul, Ringo, John and George, their meetings with celebs such as Elvis and Cassius Clay, that I found so compelling and poignant as the man behind the legend, their then manager, Brian Epstein.
Interesting not only for fans of The Beatles but I believe as a piece of 'pop history'.
Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of a marketing company. no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
Very much a 'fly on the wall' account. The Beatles And Me On Tour recounts events of the twenty-four-city/thirty-four days 1964 tour which saw Beatlemania reach the US in a very much unembellished (dare I say almost clinical?) way - the sharp, 'straight to the point' sentences perhaps a sign of Davis' background as a journalist. A style you were either going to like or not. Alas whilst effective I'm afraid it just wasn't a style I particularly enjoyed.
A 'warts and all' account. Whilst some of what the author chronicles is common knowledge (yes, even to someone who isn't a fan) much of it was new to me and I must say came as a bit of a surprise, the Fab Four not being anywhere near as clean-cut as I had always thought them to be. However for me it wasn't so much the insight into Paul, Ringo, John and George, their meetings with celebs such as Elvis and Cassius Clay, that I found so compelling and poignant as the man behind the legend, their then manager, Brian Epstein.
Interesting not only for fans of The Beatles but I believe as a piece of 'pop history'.
Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of a marketing company. no financial compensation was asked for nor given.
February 5, 2015
I was a teenage Beatles fan in 1964, always wondering who the guys at the side of the stage were. Ivor Davis was one of them, a British journalist traveling with "the boys." Great stories I've never heard about the 1964 tour, insights into each Beatles from someone who spent 34 days 24/7 with the Beatles. A number of pictures in the book were never published in America. Music fans should read this book.
Well written, entertaining and a joy to read. A wonderful time in music history.
Well written, entertaining and a joy to read. A wonderful time in music history.
March 9, 2016
What a hoot to travel back in time to The Beatles first tour of the US. I was a great age to go to my FIRST concert to see them as a preadolescent. There is even a pic of ME in this book, albeit along with thousands of other screaming girls at the Seattle concert! It was a great and far more innocent time, and I really enjoyed reliving that era!
June 16, 2015
Being the Beatles junkie I am, I ate this up. What can I say? Full of well told stories of on-tour folly and fun. New insights to the band and a new perspective of them on tour. Especially cool to learn more about Brian.
December 7, 2015
It was very intresting. There were many things i learned about the beatles and their American tours but, a lot of it I had already read in other plces before hand. Over all it is a great book though and the author is a very nic person.
November 3, 2019
Great Insider Details
Wonderful new details for Beatles fans. Having been 14 when they came to America, I loved the time machine this book became for me. Davis waited a long time to write it and it is a belated juicy surprise.
Wonderful new details for Beatles fans. Having been 14 when they came to America, I loved the time machine this book became for me. Davis waited a long time to write it and it is a belated juicy surprise.
November 19, 2014
I'm a huge Beatles fan and was looking forward to this new book, but it left me indifferent. There are much better books out there about the Beatles.
January 1, 2015
I always wondered what it was like to have been with The Beatles during their 1964 tour of America. Now I know. Great read, highly recommended.
May 14, 2015
What a delight! THE BEATLES AND ME ON TOUR was the next best thing to being there.
~Susan Fox
HOLLYWOOD NEWS CALENDAR
~Susan Fox
HOLLYWOOD NEWS CALENDAR
March 21, 2015
Wonderful account of the Beatles' first tour of the US by someone who was also there.
October 20, 2014
A wonderful and detailed account by the author who was actually there to experience it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews