Beatlemania will never really go away. (We hope not, at least.) And the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris is doing its part to keep the memory alive: When the Beatles came to the City of Light in 1964 to perform a series of concerts at l’Olympia, they stayed at the George V. (Fun fact: A piano was installed in one of their suites so that the band could practice and compose.)
50 years later, the hotel will host a unique exhibition of photographer Harry Benson’s pictures of the band in the lobby and in front of Le Bar, organized by the Hotel’s in-house Artistic Director Jeff Leatham. Appropriately, the exhibit is entitled "I Feel Fine."
According to Benson, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were sitting at the piano one evening and rapidly composed their hit "I Feel Fine." Benson captured the moment in the suite. Another night, the band learned that their song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was number one in the US and that they were invited to participate in Ed Sullivan’s variety show. Benson had heard that the band had had a pillow fight a few nights earlier, and sneaked up behind McCartney and hit him on the head with a pillow. This turned into a 15-minute pillow fight that Benson photographed (pictured right).
Another fun fact: The negatives of the photos were developed in the hotel’s bathtub.
"I Feel Fine,” An Exhibition of Harry Benson’s Beatles Photos at the George V, will be on display from June 15 to 30 in the Lobby and in front of Le Bar.
The Four Seasons Hotel George V is located at 31 avenue George V, 75008 Paris. Visit fourseasons.com/paris for more information.