Capitol-ism: from Bozo to the Beatles – 2

Click here to see a post from five years ago about Dave Dexter, Jr., who was responsible for much of the worst, and some of the best, about the Beatle records in America, on Capitol. I’m finally getting around to finishing the series.

The link between the Beatles and Bozo the Clown is Alan Livingston, as explained at this link by Bruce Spizer, the Beatles-in-America expert. Spizer can be heard in this 2010 edition of Bob Malik’s radio program, “The Beatle Years.”

Spizer is the best source for understanding the convoluted story of how screwed up Capitol’s handling of the Beatles was, not only before “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” but long after, thanks to the confidence — considered by many to be misplaced — that Alan Livingston had in Dave Dexter, Jr. Some of the source material that Spizer presents shows, however, that once it was obvious the Beatles would be bigger than big, Livingston began to second guess Dexter’s judgment.

Livingston gives Dexter authority over selection both foreign singles and albums.
Livingston gives Dexter authority over selection of both foreign singles and albums — by coincidence on the very day that the Beatles auditioned at EMI!
Dexter's rejections must be reviews by others.
Records rejected by Dexter must be submitted for review — the day that the Beatles arrived in New York!
Dexter realizes his position and requests a review panel be formed.
Livingston realized Dexter’s compromised position and orders that a review panel be formed.

Next up you will hear Dexter himself talking about the Beatles, and I will explain how I made my peace with the Dexter-ization of the Beatles sounds and selections heard on Capitol Records.

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