In 1964, photographer Harry Benson was asked to cover The Beatles’ trip to Paris. Not only was it a career-defining relationship for Benson, but it also produced some of the most intimate photographs ever taken of the band.
Benson himself has called one such photo the best of his career: the Fab Four in the middle of a pillow fight at the George V Hotel. It was a spontaneous moment, and it ultimately came to epitomize the spirit of the band, writes Mirror.
A new re-edition by publisher Taschen of a previously out-of-print Beatles On the Road 1964-1966 brings back the best of Benson’s Beatles portfolio. It includes quotes and newspaper clippings from the era as well, and an introduction by Benson gives a personal testimony to some of the images.
Benson continued to follow the group. He went on the road with them for the debut US tour, photographed George Harrison’s honeymoon in Barbados, and was present for the infamous 1966 tour when John Lennon said The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.”
Benson recalls the aftermath of that moment, according to Mirror, by saying: “There was talk of them canceling all the shows and people were burning records and photographs in the street and John was crying and said to me ‘Harry, why did I open my big mouth?’”
Benson has also photographed President Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson.
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