1965 video interview

From sometime in January of 1965 (see below)
Transcribed by ear by David Chance

Notes from David Chance:

A very brief video clip is floating about the collecting circles, a reporter interviewing road manager Peter Docherty and Van around January of 1965 when the so-called "penny riots") took place (search the Van-L archives for "penny riots"; see also the Early Career Chronology at entry for ?1963:Jan-May, Lurgan, The Calypso [another discrepancy?])

The interview was conducted standing next to a jukebox that happened to be playing Them's "Baby, Please Don't Go" at the time. The comments by Van would be the earliest audio-documented "interview" known to collectors.

The following is a transcript by ear, corrections appreciated. As was commented to me by another, the events concerned here have a suspicious air of being a publicity stunt, or taking advantage of it as such.

Belfast, Northern Ireland January 1965 Television News Report

REPORTER (from TV studio): Yes, I found Them gathered 'round a jukebox downtown today, undaunted by the adverse publicity in this morning's papers. But since the publicity, I've heard young people describe Them as "the backdoor beat group", as the "dirty 4 pennies". However, the boys say that there's an answer to all the charges leveled at them, so, let's hear what they've got to say.

REPORTER (at the jukebox--next to which are standing road manager Peter Docherty and Van--unknown venue, downtown Belfast, speaking to Peter Docherty): The press reports this morning said that the fans rushed the stage. Is this correct? and if it is, where you frightened?

PETER DOCHERTY: No. I, we weren't frightened at all. This is quite untrue. Actually we had about 40 or 50 people come up with autograph books which I took and got the boys to sign. And like no one rushed the stage, they come up through the back entrance for to get autographs.

REPORTER: It's also been said that this is the fourth time in a week that this type of thing has happened. Is this correct?

VAN MORRISON: No, it's just the second time.

REPORTER: When was the first one?

VAN: The first time was Lurgan.

REPORTER: And what happened there?

VAN: A few chaps were gettin' merry y'know, and then started throwin' pennies up y'know.

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