Bonus Beatles Stories | Special DVD Features | Norman Smith | Cinema Libre studio

Extra Features from Beatles's Stories DVD: Norman Smith Extended Interview
DIRECTOR: Seth Swirsky
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[@ronmer]

I freaking love this guy. What an amazing life story. 5th Beatle? Hell, Norman Smith was the Beatles, in terms of crafting/engineering their early sound. Such a humble amazing man. R.I.P. Normal

[@Powertuber1000]

Humble? Are you being sarcastic? Lol.

[@arfshesaid4325]

@@Powertuber1000 since they were the biggest thing in music ever, ya i think humble is cool

[@ClarenceHW]

One of the most informative interviews on Beatles lore from a down to earth man who was there. No hype, no jive and just the right amount of self-confidence, thank you Norman.

[@JonEngland]

"I"d just like to be remembered for what I've done.... that's it, really" ... wow! What a gentleman; such a nice fellow.

[@JohnJones-gg3zd]

He's buried in England

[@JohnJones-gg3zd]

John what's amazing back when I heard this song I was thinking this must be a black man singing this song because a friend and I thought it was then come to find out it was him Norman hurricane Smith I said who but I was hooked on it my question is how is it he's not in the rock and roll hall of fame

[@JonEngland]

@@JohnJones-gg3zd He's in the hearts of billions around the world. Whether they know it or not! Arthur Askey was granted lifetime honorary membership of Equity (the actors union) in his final weeks in hospice... True to his graceful mischief he acknowledged this with "At Last, recognition!", with a twinkle in his eyes. He was buried weeks later. Object lesson in informed humility. There goes Norman "Hurricane" Smith.

[@kenhanson4015]

@@JohnJones-gg3zd When I first heard this song in the days before videos, I thought it was a rather large woman who sounded like Carol Channing. Boy was I surprised when I found it on KZbin. This has been a favorite of mine from an early age. I'm glad to finally know Norman Smith and his amazing life. Miss you My Brother.

[@DavidParkerToronto]

So glad someone had the insight to film this precious record of an incredible man with a amazing history

[@JohnJones-gg3zd]

He would be 99 today

[@JohnJones-gg3zd]

My question is how is he not in the rock and roll hall of fame

[@scottbrower9052]

Indeed.

[@angru5oklok]

Great perspective! It's the first interview I've seen of this man.

[@resurrectionsunday]

He also can sing good had a very unique voice..oh babe what would you say…

[@shaneevans1138]

A wonderfully self effacing man whose contribution to the evolution of the Beatles should never be underestimated or forgotten.

[@edited7382]

I liked him as well but his story doesn't make sense. The Beatles either did originals or covers of older hits. They never released a new song from an unknown song writer. Or maybe he was implying that he would have been a ghost writer and it would be credited to Lennon Mccartney.

[@davidlivermore7481]

What a wonderful guy. Articulate, an experienced sound engineer, a great story teller, plays the piano, a song writer and then has a hit pop career in his own right. An absolute true gent. Then on top of that in his earlier life he was drafted into the RAF to become a glider pilot in the dark closing days of WW2. RIP Hurricane you certainly will be remember sir, you and your generation were the most understated yet greatest ever in my mind.

[@pamela-vi7rp]

luv him♥️

[@andrewridge4978]

I think he drummed on Pink Floyd's "Remember A Day", as well as producing their early albums.

[@justicesmith6375]

Great history for Beatles fans. This should have a lot more views.

[@oceanbill8813]

Fascinating interview. More so for me because his own song, “Babe, What Would You Say” was a fave between myself and a youthful early love.

[@gigisdiamonds]

@@oceanbill8813 That song also had me remember it a lifetime, till as a adult I could look it up on the internet. All because a young teen picked me ( I was juts a little girl) sat me on a stereo cabinet and sang it to me. Instant crush. I still love that song. It also is what got me to listing to Hurricanes history.

[@petersharp7644]

The very great Norman Hurricane Smith. What a great interview and what a nice gentleman. Also produced the first 2 Barclay James Harvest albums during their time on the EMI Harvest label.

[@dbailey62]

And three of the first four Pink Floyd studio albums including Piper!

[@astephens1963]

He saw something in Pink Floyd and the Beatles that no one else did. He threw out all the rules and gave us all unspeakable joy. What an awesome life

[@davidpearn2484]

Yes and what an awesome man RIP Norman 🙏

[@robbie4860]

Hurricane Smith!!

[@fireheartis1]

RIP Hurricane Smith. Your music contributions will never be forgotten. One of my favorite songs is Oh Babe What Would You Say.

[@johnblackett6279]

It’s wonderful that this is preserved for history. A lovely man.

[@MrThedonhead]

Can see straight away he is telling the truth and he should of been interviewed a lot more. People always concentrate on the later years when the beginning years were the most happiest and exciting.

[@Robert-tv9rq]

Norman Smith was such a genius and very kind person. I met him during the recording of Singapore Silk Torpedo by The Pretty Things. He did a fantastic job producing a lot of records by The Pretty Things, including their masterpieces S.F.Sorrow (1968) and Parachute (1970). R.I.P Norman!

[@larydixon4824]

This is a really great interview with Norman Smith. There hasn't ever been much information about him for all these years. He was such an important part of the Beatles history because of the huge impact of all of their early singles.. Thank you for sharing this! Lary

[@john1957d]

What a lovely Gentleman.... Oh' Babe ...one of my favourites, The beatles story was great to hear too! Norman had some really good songs out back in the day and the Sax Player was great too !

[@biggroup3524]

...the sax player was Frankie Hardcastle an old "mate" of Norman's...

[@kimporter2347]

As Norman "Hurricane" Smith, he also had a very successful recording career, including #1 and Top 5 hits in the UK, US, Australia and Europe. 'Don't Let It Die' and 'Oh, Babe, What Would You Say' are excellent songs!

[@coldeb8911]

'Normal (sic) Hurricane Smith, a truly very great man and wonderful singer/songwriter in his own right , the Song he wrote for John ?....'Don't Let It Die' which he eventually recorded himself and had a hit with.....Marvellous !! 😊

[@timmytimkins4379]

Fab!

[@drtonyhaworth5711]

I worked at Abbey Rd in the late 70s to 80s and people still loved and talked about Norman ,and he was a pop star himself in the 1970s very big in the USA in 1972 he was top of the Billboard charts ….. Such a nice guy and sadly missed by many R.I.P Norman…….

[@generalstabssjef]

Great stories, an important source to the history of The Beatles. Thanks for posting this video.

[@EmeraldWoodArchives]

I've always loved the sound of those early Beatles records. They really do have a unique sound. I also love his tales of the challenges in trying to produce ol' Syd Barrett. Great album.

[@jazzandbluesculturalherita2547]

Norman "Hurricane" Smith??? Awesome! Too bad the videographer did not get some front lighting on the subject. It's also too bad that most people in America are not as articulate with the English language as this gentleman. It's also too bad that Dick James apparently screwed Hurricane out of his song being recorded by "the Boys".

[@geraldjensen9399]

Who's a whinging, smug twit then?

[@thedudekatman]

fantastic engineer & producer responsible for some of my favorite albums of all time notably SF Sorrow & Parachute by the Pretty Things & Piper at the gates of Dawn & Saucerfull of Secrets Pink Floyd

[@knowhereman1]

I never realized tension between John and Paul started as early as the making of Rubber Soul. Great interview.

[@johngerson7335]

In my own musings about the Beatles, I'd always felt that "Help" was the last true fully collaborative effort by the band. Mr. Smith pretty much confirms that in this interview in my humble opinion.

[@redsvt98]

First thing I thought of was that was after they stopped touring and were living in different places, not spending time together. So many of the first songs were written on the road.

[@BigCityPalooka]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@fierrote]

I remember Hurracaine Smith with his song 'oh Babe, What Would You Say'

[@DavidParkerToronto]

Wasn't that the coolest song ever!

[@dogphlap6749]

I remember that too but I had not made the connection until your comment.

[@teerex1011]

Also "Don't let it die"

[@briankehew579]

They played it at his funeral (I was there) and yet it was the saddest version ever to hear it then...

[@fierrote]

@@briankehew579 , yeah, It must have been a very sad moment.

[@XCodeHelpHub]

Wonderful Thank You!

[@unclejuniorsoprano]

FANTASTIC INTERVIEW. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH; A HIGHLY TALENTED MAN, INDEED.

[@blastfromthepast7005]

Two years before Hurricane passed. A major player on both sides of the console.

[@jamesdunn9714]

"Normal" Smith! What tales he tells! So, in essence Decca turned The Beatles down twice! Decca at the time had a tin ear when it came to The Beatles. Anyway, it is fortunate that the fellas turned up at EMI as it was the perfect fit for them and had they signed with Decca they may have languished and never become the biggest show business act that ever existed.

[@allenf.5907]

Yes, yes, the EMI guys were ready for this. The fate of the Beatles happening yet again.

[@Niall-ce6su]

Great! So chuffed you posted this interview as there is next to nothing available about Hurricane. Thank you.

[@ArtbyJoeH]

I knew him better as chart singer, Hurricane Smith’. Had no idea he was an engineer let alone for the Beatles !

[@paullandry5594]

A great musician hailing from Edmonton as did the equally great musician Mike Smith of the Dave Clark Five, ah and the great Chas Hodges.

[@rayrichards5375]

Thanks for posting this. Remarkable man and Life. R. I. P Hurricane Smith

[@briankehew579]

There's just a few interviews he did like this just before he died. He'd stopped giving interviews for about 15 years until the mid-2000s when he surfaced again. He did an oral history for EMI Records, a long interview for the Recording The Beatles book, this one, and one or two on early Pink Floyd! He did record the Pretty Things as well - nothing from him publicly in those interviews, I think.

[@briankehew579]

He seems to be very credible and straight-up here. His own book was WEIRD - and he admitted lots of it wasn't true, but the in-person interview here is good stuff.

[@giftedplanksify]

One of the most interesting conversations I've ever heard

[@andywilson9787]

Does anyone know the title of the song he refers to, that the Beatles were interested in covering? Fascinating interview, I can't help feeling his part in their success has been underplayed over the years.

[@Kevinfordsynthesizers]

andy wilson I think - and it’s only a guess - ‘Don’t Let It Die’. I can imagine John singing it.

[@mickmac2223]

@@Kevinfordsynthesizers I was going to ask the same question, many thanks!!

[@paulsantamaria2605]

As a diehard Beatles fan I am thrilled that the every record company in Europe turned the Beatles down - even Ed Sullivan turned them down originally, proving that those in the VERY BUSINESS of spotting talent wouldn't know their butts from a hole in the ground until they were literally FORCED to recognize the truth.

[@davidmcginty6370]

Really enjoyed this interview. Thanks for posting!!!

[@sianwarwick633]

Great and charming stories given by a one who was there. Interesting background to general recording sessions

[@garyhoffman503]

SOLID GOLD! I know he was quite the MAN before Geoff. I love the sound of his voice. ♥

[@garyhoffman503]

Tea for the tTailsman. The breath of his scope of reason. Perfectly told did he dare want just a taste of the limelight, in the end it would of been just a little mother's piece had his wish been fulfilled more sweet that he was seated by the complex make-up of the band just how fast superstardom had happened.

[@sean_heisler]

Norman Smith is a genius, I love that guy.

[@jamesmoore5630]

I was sitting here last week, and suddenly the words; "Oh Babe what would you say?" Came into my mind. I had no memory of the artist name, or the title, and I had not played it in over 45 years!!! I found the second edition and then I found this biography of the artist and his history with The Beatles.(Hurricane Smith) I have played it a 100 times now, and can leave it alone for a while. Finally I have the story of the famous man who was a one hit wonder when I was 10 years old. Brother James Kendall Moore OSB OFS OSC

[@michaelaiello9289]

I love this guy. Yup. George gets deserved credit, but here's the other 5th Beatle.

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

Mr . Hurricane Smith :) QC

[@johnburns4017]

What was different was that in those days it was always a front man with backing band like Cliff Richard and the Shadow. _The Beatles_ never had a lead singer. All three front men sang, and also harmonized. No one did that.

[@owenmartin3307]

Apparently Norman wrote a song for John lennon but they didn't use it in the end. Would love to hear it.

[@tp3176]

"Act Naturally" sung by Ringo on "Help" wasn't written by John Lennon but by Johnny Russell and Voni Morrison.

[@johnburns4017]

They obviously changed it to song more apt for Ringo: _the biggest fool ever to hit the big time._

[@MyDrugHell]

It may have been If You've Got Troubles that he wrote for Ringo and when that didn't turn out too great they decided on covering Act Naturally.

[@lindak990]

Looks like he lived humbly.

[@josephscionti4680]

What an absolutely wonderful interview! I learned so much about this very integral and important member of The Beatles “family”. I would have loved to have heard the song that Norman wrote especially for John Lennon. Thank you for posting this priceless piece of history!

[@fireheartis1]

I believe it's the song that he song himself Don't Let it Die. At least that's what I read in a magazine once.

[@TheReevessss]

That mystery song was prob. "Don't Let it Die" which John eventually recorded. Ahead of it's time. Warning song. As species are at their brink now..

[@callithowiseeit5806]

No we're not 'on the brink' now, leave the fear porn to those who push it for their own agenda, the Earth is ALWAYS fluctuationg with or without us

[@lookbovine]

@@callithowiseeit5806 He said species, not the earth.

[@habeascorpus1]

Great interview. Wish there was more.

[@thejigantics2641]

Brilliant…love this…Norman doesn’t get enough credit for his contribution and his early recordings which had and still have fantastic energy. Man they leap out of the speakers in the 21st century. Rubber Soul is brilliantly recorded

[@swordfish52]

Thanks Seth !! Jimmy ...

[@superacesnare]

great guy i still have two albums and the single oh babe. from when it was first released. he wrote some great songs

[@davidmathews2599]

Let's face it "Love me Do" was a weak number. "Please please me" was more like it.

[@agriomamascuen]

Rubber Soul my favorite Beatles album. They change yes.....for good!!!

[@ianwheele2585]

Norman was my mother in laws uncle. I never met him though .

[@jamieorourke767]

Hurricane smith

[@allenf.5907]

Rubber Soul was the "change album". It was a faster forward. Great interview.

[@jamescrider2372]

I love this man..I was listening to King Crimson and Uriah Heep/heavy rock albums when I heard this album. Fell in love with it...Learned every guitar part on it...It kind of changed my musical perspective...It was just different...

[@terrythekittieful]

Good man Normal. What a life,..recorded the Beatles and had a huge international hit ("Oh Babe what would you Say") that we still love and listen to, to this very day.

[@williamkinsey4979]

Genuis walking! LOL

[@TheReevessss]

He's deceased.

[@BackToTheBlues]

11:34 - The song The Beatles never did. If you want to hear how it would've sounded if John Lennon had recorded it, search for 'Don't Let It Die - John Lennon' - musical impressionist Stevie Riks has done two versions of it on the Merseyboys channel. I prefer the first version, but they're both good. As Hurricane Smith, Norman had a number two hit UK with it in 1971.

[@michaelcolarossi5062]

Wow! What an amazing interview! How did this not get shown ?

[@davidherringgo]

I hope I am that articulate in my speech all my life. What a special interview . Ive been reading Geoffs book and these were some incredible times in music history.

[@1960taylor]

Rubber Soul was a masterpiece

[@UAL320]

Sounds like Rubber Soul was the perfect time for Norman to leave and Geoff to come in….just as the recording got a bit more intense….

[@ronmer]

Who in the world would down vote this video/interview? smh

[@owenstunes5804]

What happened his song in the end, where is the recording he did?

[@Estacio024]

He published it on his own. It's called "Don't let it die" it was one of his hits .

[@susiekopp3578]

Such a humble man. Never knew he had a great influence on the early Beatles recordings.

[@tez6529]

Thank you for posting !

[@chrisallen8250]

So whatever happened to the song that Dick James wanted to buy? What was it called?

[@Chesterton7]

What fun hearing his memories of those sessions! Thanks CinemeLibre!

[@lamper2]

Tragic that we can't ever hear the slow Please Please Me. but we all can imagine it, hear it really.

[@1773JC]

Over 3 years with The Beatles. I love The Beatles including Hurricane Smith.! Just because he couldn't be known as one of The Beatles does not mean he wasn't one of The Beatles. REST IN PEACE NORMAN.

[@tamtic2k]

Fantastic. Better than Get Back

[@MrGeoffHilton]

Great man who has had a very full life.

[@mdblrf]

NORMAN....tu parles d'un temps que les jeunes de today.ne peuvent pas comprendre..........

[@MrThedonhead]

They’d just come back from another American tour and straight to Rubber Soul no wonder tired and moody. Only smoking weed at this point.

[@BobSchusterMusiccom]

So good. Magic all around.

[@bassinblue]

I've just realised something very terrible. With The Beatles albums constantly being remixed, it actually is taking away a lot from what the original engineers, such as Norman/Geoff did and thus buries them further and further in the history books to be forgotten. I truly hope more is done in remembering the men behind the faders.

[@JohnJones-gg3zd]

I heard this song back in '79 or '80

[@atomicflash1753]

What was the song you wrote for John ??

[@patrickcoughlin3564]

Ohh babe what would you say!

[@robchisholm2588]

anyone heard the song he wrote ?

[@doktordavid2945]

Yes it was one of his hits too.

[@pbamse]

HURRICANE SMITH (1923 - 2008)

[@eileenkenny7718]

So What was THE SONG??? I am dying to know!!! ...x

[@CARLWISE2008]

Cassettes we’re not available in 60’s

[@johnburns4017]

They were.

[@Noah-gq7pq]

hey normal,we wont forget you ,john was not the only cheeky one,,rip,

[@michaeldunne3379]

What year was this interview done?

[@CARLWISE2008]

Interesting

[@floydthebarber9956]

What was the song of Hurricane's the Beatles were going to record?

[@adrianamatlack532]

If anyone believes The Beatles really wanted to record that song, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you 🤣🤣. He is a nice guy though, I am glad they were nice about it. He was a good sound engineer for The Beatles, but I greatly regret that he was the producer for The Pink Floyd. Though he was a nice person, and he did show them how to use the studio, which was very magnanimous of him.

[@SuperNevile]

With regards to "See Emily Play" and "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn", I doubt if any other producer around could have produced those two records to such an excellent standard whilst dealing with their truely enigmatic front man. Nobody.

[@acemacgruber6593]

Hurricane!

[@mjsmcd]

Ron richards is a new name to me

[@johnburns4017]

George Martin's assistant. A lot of it was done by Ron, not George.

[@miklevideo]

3:00 genial ser the personality

[@donnaone1nine]

So what was the song he wrote for John?

[@paullandry5594]

Don't Let It Die. Norman wanted John to record it.

[@donnaone1nine]

@@paullandry5594 Thank you!

[@paullandry5594]

@@donnaone1nine You're welcome, Donna.

[@philmelb1022]

Can we ever hear Norman Smith song he wrote?

[@501sqn3]

"Don't let it die" I think?, About 75 /76 ??. I'm sure it'll be on KZbin or Alexa , really nice song 👍

[@Estacio024]

Yes, it's called "Don't Let It Die" it's one of his hits .

[@garypritchard6070]

@@501sqn3 1971 it came out

[@otheraccount00727]

He never mention Geoff didnt he?

[@scottandrewbrass]

Because Geoff wasn't there.The same reason he forgot to mention Yoko.