#OriginalPresentation • THE BEATLES: Official Fan Club Christmas Record (1966)

For seven straight holiday seasons, from 1963, during the beginning of their rise to fame, to 1969, just prior to the group’s breakup, The Beatles released a specially recorded, limited-edition Christmas greeting available exclusively for the members of their official fan club.

Produced as either 45 or 33 1/3 r.p.m. flexi-disc singles which played on regular turntables, these outlandish offerings lasted anywhere from five minutes to just under eight, and featured the Fab Four performing spontaneous singing and skits. And as each year evolved, the more off-the-wall they became.

After the group’s official breakup in 1970, an album containing all seven of the greetings – called The Beatles Christmas Album – was subsequently issued by both the UK and U.S. chapters of their fan club.

Since then, numerous bootleg versions have appeared on both vinyl and CD.

You may have not heard these for years, or perhaps not at all. But if you’re a fan, I’m sure they’ll make you at least smile – and hopefully laugh!

Happy Holidays!

[Note]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.

Pantomime: Everywhere It’s Christmas

[1966 – LYN 1145]

Written entirely by the Beatles – and with venerable producer George Martin at the controls – this fourth holiday offering is a total departure from their greetings of 1963-1965, with no “speeches” of thanks or even acknowledgement of official fan club members.

Instead, it’s a series of dramatic skits and includes only two actual songs – goofy ones as usual – as they clearly showed signs of rising to new levels of creativity.

And no matter what may have fired their imaginations, at the time of this recording the band was in the midst of a heavy workload. Recording sessions had already begun for both Strawberry Fields Forever (ultimately issued in February of 1967 as part of the double-sided, million-selling single Penny Lane) as well as tracks for their forthcoming landmark album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, released on June 1, 1967.

Program

Location: Abbey Road Studios/London
Recording Date: November 25, 1966
Release Date: December 16, 1966
Running Time: 6:36

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Everywhere It’s Christmas
“Orowanyna” (Skit)
“A Rare Cheese” (Skit)
“The Feast” (Skit)
“The Loyal Toast” (Skit)
“Rodgy The Beat” & Jasper (Skit)
“Felphin Mansion” (Skit)
Please Don’t Bring Your Banjo Back
Everywhere It’s Christmas (Reprise)