The Fab Five. Behind Beatlemania. "These photos convey a really happy period for them and for me. It all comes down to music, they were without a doubt the greatest band of the 20th century, and that's why these photographs are so important." (Harry Benson, 2011). In early 1964, Harry Benson was getting on a plane for a foreign assignment in Africa, when he got a call from his photo editor of London newspaper "The Daily Express". He was now going with the Beatles to Paris to document French Beatlemania and what followed was the biggest (ticket to) ride of his life. Benson was warmly welcomed into the Beatles' inner sanctum, resulting in some of the most intimate photographs ever taken of the band, then on the cusp of world domination. In Paris, he took the iconic photograph of the Fab Four having a pillow fight at the George V hotel; he shot their groundbreaking first visit to the United States, the full impact of New York hysteria, their famous appearance on the "Ed Sullivan" show, the band in Florida, including their surprising encounter with Cassius Clay; as well as on the set of "A Hard Day's Night".
The relationship continued in 1966, including George's honeymoon in Barbados and their notorious US tour, under the shadow cast by Lennon's comment that the Beatles were "bigger than Jesus Christ." Benson's luminous black and white photographs show at close quarters the Beatles composing, performing, encountering their fans, relaxing, and engaging with each other, while trying to cope with their increasingly isolating fame. As well as hundreds of photographs, many previously unseen, there is an introductory essay by Benson as well as quotes and newspaper clippings from the period.