Stamp Out the Beatles

07:21:00 MoonDoggie 3 Comments

I can't believe it's been nearly three weeks since I last posted. Work has been particularly demanding lately and I've missed my little blog.

So anyway, I came across this hoodie a while ago and have finally decided to buy it:

Although not vintage, the print looked as though it had been designed in the 60s (unlike a lot of so-called retro clothing out there). I decided to find out more.

Apparently, there was a Detroit based 'Stamp Out the Beatles' campaign in 1964. This campaign was mentioned in an interview with the band two days before leaving for America:

Q: "I must tell you, by the way, that Detroit University have got a 'Stamp Out The Beatles' movement."
GEORGE: "I know, yeah."
JOHN: "Yeah, we heard something about that."
PAUL: "We've got a 'Stamp Out Detroit!'"
(laughter)
Q: "They think your haircuts are un-American."
JOHN: "Well, it was very observant of them because we aren't American, actually."
PAUL: (laughs) "True, that."
JOHN: "True. True."

The 'movement' was also referred to in the press conference given at Kennedy International Airport after the Beatles had touched down in America for the first time (You can read a transcript of the interview at BeatlesInterviews.org).

George Harrison and Beatles manager Brian Epstein were photographed wearing a sweatshirt (possibly the same one) with a 'Stamp Out the Beatles' print. Epstein was apparently very reluctant to put it on but was eventually persuaded.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation about this campaign and I've had trouble finding any definitive explanation but according to a knowledgeable person on this forum, this sweatshirt wasn't actually made by the 'movement' but rather made to SPOOF it.

You can get one of your own here.