#OriginalPresentation • THE BEATLES: Official Fan Club Christmas Record (1968)

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, the recordings lasted anywhere from five minutes to just under eight, and featured the Fab Four evidently acting with spontaneous zany singing and skits. And as each year evolved, the more off-the-wall they became.

An album containing all seven of the greetings – called The Beatles Christmas Album – was sent out by the U.S. chapter of the fan club in 1971.

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.

The Beatles’ 1968 Christmas Record

[1968 – LYN 1743/1744]

The first official fan club Christmas offering to be recorded by the Beatles individually and at separate locations, this 1968 double-sided disc is an often bizarre collage of brief musical clips, solo messages and odd sound effects.

A Paul McCartney acoustic guitar number called Happy Christmas, Happy New Year is featured on the Beatles’ sixth seasonal disc, along with two John Lennon poems – “Jock and Yono” and “Once Upon a Pool Table.”

Also notable is an outrageous rendition of Nowhere Man by the ukulele-playing Tiny Tiny, as well as snippets of tracks from the Beatles’ “White Album” released just four weeks earlier in November, including Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and a sped-up clip of Helter Skelter.

The dialogue and songs were organized and seamlessly stitched together by Kenny Everett, both a BBC Radio One DJ and a friend of the Beatles.

Program

Location: Various
Recording Date: November/December, 1968
Release Date: December 20, 1968
Running Time: 7:50

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Ringo: Introduction
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Paul: Happy New Year, Happy Christmas …
Helter Skelter
John (w/ Yoko Ono on Piano): “Jock and Yono” (Poem)
(From America) George: Monologue/Introduction of Mal Evans
(Beatles Road Manager) Mal Evans: “Merry Christmas …”
Ringo: (Skit)
Paul: Happy New Year, Happy Christmas … (Reprise)
John (w/ Yoko Ono on Piano): “Once Upon A Pool Table” (Poem)
George (from America): Introduction of Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim: Monologue/Nowhere Man
George (from America): “Thank You…”
Musical Ending