As noted earlier - FBYC friend Linda Liles has become famous as regards her relationship with the Beatles on their visit to the US 40 years ago this week. On Tuesday, she appeared briefly in a segment on ABC World News Tonite where she disclosed Ringo had proposed to her - she, then age 8 (not 9 as quoted) declined. We will provide the video when available.

Yesterday the London Observer ran an article entitled I kissed a Beatle and it is copied in full under Read More. Photos also attached from the NY Daily News from February 11. David (l.) and Albert Maysles were tapped to record the Fab Four’s arrival at Kennedy Airport.

Albert Maysles is flanked by Linda Binns Liles and Eva Gonzalez (l.) and Enid Gonzalez, who appeared in that 1964 documentary.

'I kissed a Beatle!'

Vicky Balfour
Sunday February 1, 2004
Nine-year old Linda Binns met The Beatles on the train from Washington

'It had been The Beatles' first weekend in New York and my first time, too. My Dad, a judge, was a contestant on the TV show I've Got a Secret on Monday, 10 February. He brought me and my brother and my mother along for the trip. I remember walking past the Plaza Hotel and being shocked at how deafening the screams of the girls were. Other than that, I didn't pay too much attention to them. We didn't even see them on The Ed Sullivan Show because we were having dinner with friends.

We were taking the train back from New York to Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday morning. The Beatles were scheduled to fly to Washington but because it was snowing, they decided to take the train - our train. We were in the last car and they held up the train for a long time while they put a private car for them on at the end. Boy, was I excited.

They were very polite and stopped to sign autographs for people. I got Paul's and John's. I remember thinking: 'Wow, listen to their accents.' I had never met a British person before. And their long hair seemed really exotic.

I was determined to get all four autographs, so I made a plan to try to sneak into the press car. If I'd been 16, I'm sure they wouldn't have let me.

First I got a second Paul McCartney autograph for my next door neighbour. I kissed Paul on the cheek. I kissed all four of the Beatles.

Ringo and I hit it off. I sat with him for about an hour. I must have been a little diversion for him, because he asked me all about my life, what grade I was in and where I lived. At some point I said to him: 'I never thought I'd meet a real, real good singer.' There was a pause and then Ringo said: 'You're too kind'. The press roared at that. I had no idea what was so funny, but I laughed too.

When my father went looking for me, he said he saw me conducting an interview to the accompaniment of grinding cameras and popping flashbulbs. I wasn't intimidated by the press. It was fun to be in the spotlight. Ringo and I clowned around for them. The press asked us to hold hands because of 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', which we did. Then Ringo held out his coat and I hid behind it, laughing. Right after that Ringo said 'Will you marry me ?'

I looked at him with all seriousness and said: 'No, I have to get my education.' The press loved it.

Every time the train stopped at a station, girls from the other cars would race back to our car and jump up and try to see in the windows. Ringo said 'Look at those people out there in the cold. Would you do that?' And I said no. I thought those girls were crazy.

When we got home, these teenagers started to call me at home to ask what The Beatles were like, and what kind of cigarettes they smoked. My whole experience still makes me smile. And Ringo is still my favourite.'

Linda Binns is now 49, married and working as a paralegal in Richmond.

Question: Will you sing something?

The Beatles: No! Next question!

Q: Is there a doubt you can sing!?

John Lennon: No, we need money first!

Press officer: There's a question here...

Q: How many are bald if you have to wear those wigs?

Paul McCartney: I'm bald.

John Lennon: Oh, we're all bald.

Paul McCartney: Don't tell anyone, please!

John Lennon: And deaf and dumb too.

Ringo Starr: They're only a dollar.

Press Officer: Quiet please! Go on...

Q: Are you for real?

John Lennon: Come and have a feel.

Q: Do you hope to get a haircut at all?

The Beatles: Nope, no thanks!

George Harrison: I had one yesterday.

Ringo Starr: And that's no lie!

PM/RS/JL: It's true!

Q: What do you think your music does to people?

The Beatles: Er, hmm

Ringo Starr: It pleases them I think. It must, 'cause they're buying it.

Q: Why does it excite them so much?

John Lennon: If we knew, we'd form another group and become managers!

Documentary maker Albert Maysles filmed the trip for Granada TV:

'I get a telephone call from England saying The Beatles are arriving in New York in two hours and 'would you like to make a film about them?' I put my hand over the phone, turned to my brother and said, 'Who are The Beatles?' They gave us total access.

I don't know that anybody up to that time had ever filmed celebrities in such a behind-the-scenes fashion. Everything was spontaneous. And it made for a lasting friendship with the four of them over the years.'

The Beatles First US Visit , featuring the Maysles documentary, is released on DVD on 9 February.