The Beatles promote Love Me Do in London

The Beatles’ debut UK single, ‘Love Me Do’, had been issued on 5 October 1962. Four days later they had no publicity or live engagements, but chose to visit London journalists.

They first visited the offices of Record Mirror, where they attempted to encourage the editorial team to feature the single. This was followed by a visit to Alan Smith, a Liverpudlian journalist on the New Musical Express.

Smith asked The Beatles what they thought of Londoners, and received the reply: “Not much. If they know you come from the north, they don’t want to know.” Attitudes would swiftly change once The Beatles’ found nationwide success.

9 October 1962 was also John Lennon’s 22nd birthday.