The Tragic Tale of Peter Sellers' Beatles Tape & How I Found It

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Ringo Starr & Peter Sellers were pals. So much so, that in October 1968 Ringo ran off a tape for Sellers containing some rough mixes of some of the track they were working on for the White Album. Twenty years later through my work, I helped his son Michael sell the tape at auction after which it became one of The Beatles best known bootlegs. In this video, I'll tell you the full story of this tape, its contents, sale and about the tragedy of Peter Seller's son.
N.B. This video does not contain any content from the tape or tell you where to find it or listen to it.
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[@jimc8186]

OK Andrew, I won’t ask you for a copy of this tape or how to get a copy. I already have a copy and am enjoying listening to it right now as I type. Bootlegs like this one are worth seeking out and should be shared with as many fellow travelers as possible. If it wasn’t for bootlegs, the powers that be would have released nothing. “Sessions” and the “BBC Tape Series” proved that. There never would have been an “Anthology” or “50th Anniversary” anything without bootleggers pushing the envelope! So, I have no problem sharing my collection within a small circle of people. Given for free and never sold! Another Great Episode Andrew, Thanks 🙏

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

I like how you're not just some Johnny-Come-Lately rando on the internet, but someone who has been a part of the history of this stuff. Also, how you highlight the personal side of your passion without making the videos about yourself, but sticking to the facts, the history and the narrative. Deftly done, all 'round, as always.

[@stevekirk7066]

Amazing story Andrew. I always felt this should have been released with the White Album boxed set. But of course I realise now Apple didn't have it. The sound collage that was part of "Yer Blues" always fascinated me. Lost Beatles albums have always intrigued me. This one is right up there. Thank you Andrew for this.

[@Parlogram]

Cheers Steve. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thenerktwins]

Apple certainly has the masters for all the takes included on this cassette..

[@mrnastey9]

Heard it in the early to mid 90's on the Yellow Dog Unsurpassed Masters series. Great set! Those and Ultra Rare Trax were revelations.

[@btipton6899]

Same here!

[@rusty1491]

Yeah back in the day we bought these bootlegs at Beatlefests.

[@mr.milehi9883]

Andrew this is probably the best and most tragic video you've ever posted. It's so sad about Peter Sellers son not having much of an inheritance and tragically dying on the anniversary of his own father's death. You are a very loving person. You are a sincere and honest guy I wish I had money to buy things from your website. Your heart is really into everything you do. I wish you much more success. And I'll be here to watch every video you post. Thank you, Sal

[@petermildren5326]

Great story, Andrew. I also attended the 1983 Sotheby's Auction so we were in the same room at the same time. I purchased an autographed concert programme and a set of 4 of the blow up Beatles cartoon characters. Some very collectable items were on display. The biggest buzz was around an Apple booklet that had John's comments scribbled throughout in red texta. Unfortunately living in Australia meant it was difficult for me to attend another auction.

[@Parlogram]

That's cool! I think I left before the end. One thing I do remember is a Cliff photo going for a small fortune!

[@nicknikipediacaulkin5943]

Absolutely fascinating, Andrew! Thank you for telling us about your involvement with the Peter Sellers tape. It certainly is tragic that Michael Sellers died at such a young age and on the anniversary of his father's death. I have the Peter Sellers 'A Hard Day's NIght' EP which also features 'She Loves You (Twits Version)', 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'Help!' This was released in 1993 on the EMI label.

[@billleary5779]

Thanks for sharing such a great but somewhat sad story about the tape and Peter Sellers and his son. Sounds like an interesting job back in the 1980s. Thanks again!

[@marktubeie07]

OK, who else froze Andrew's article at the beginning for a quick read ? 👍

[@jrussellcase]

Not yet, but I will when I finish the video.

[@markboyd9275]

👍

[@beatmet2355]

Guilty, not guilty lol

[@applerecordsltd]

Me, me ,me

[@projectpat006]

I took a screenshot lol

[@joshweinstein5345]

What an incredible story! Would love to hear more stories from your Phillips days. The history of collecting rock memorabilia is something rarely talked about but is no doubt filled with many such stories. Please do tell us more!

[@silverclive]

What a fascinating story. I had never heard about these recordings. Thank you for all the wonderful information you provide.

[@davidm7840]

Great storytelling, Andrew. Your videos somehow just keep getting better.

[@dinovesh]

A fascinating tale, Peter Sellers has always been a fascinating person to me, thanks for sharing this story with us. Dino V 😊❤

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Dino!

[@danswan1047]

What an excellent piece of history, along with the tragic serendipitous deaths. Thanks so much for sharing this story.

[@MarkChapeau]

Another great video. I just listened to the book Powerhouse about talent agency CAA, and the accounts of Sellers in there are of a complicated and difficult person. I have sympathy for his son. Thanks for telling this story.

[@medes5597]

People thought Milligan was mad and Sellers was "the sane one" you could work with. But Spike wasn't cruel. Spike wasn't mean spirited. He was child like and suffered from bipolar disorder but he didn't like hurting people. As Spike observed once about Sellers "Peter enjoyed making people hurt as much as he enjoyed making them laugh, and I've never understood why."

[@48musicfan]

Thank you, Andrew! A very fascinating story. It’s very sad hearing about Peter’s son. I’m already looking forward to your next episode. - Roger

[@renemies78]

What a cool back story to the tape and knowing you actually handled the tape makes it even cooler! I got a copy on a trade on cassette about 25 years ago and had no idea who Peter Sellers was or that it was given to him by Ringo. It's such an oddity but I did listen to it a lot and completely forgot about it! Great video like always Andrew.

[@bengtl331]

Lewisohns Sessions book, entry for 19 sept. 1968, shows a document ordering four 12-track LP acetates for the Beatles. Comparing, I noticed it and the Sellers tape have ten titles in common (though not in the same order). The acetate included Helter Skelter and Birthday while the Sellers tape instead has Wild Honey Pie and Not Guilty. The two probably had some mixes in common.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

Wait, did we just got a single LP version of White Album dropped by Ringo himself? That’s like one solid album right there.

[@timbrown1834]

Yeah pretty much. But it's the kind of album Capitol would have released if they could have chopped up the album the way they did to the other Beatles albums before Sgt.pepper.

[@johnthemachine]

it only seems solid because we know all the material that isnt on it also exists. If they'd dropped that single lp version of the white album with this track listing it would be considered one of their most lackluster releases and we'd all be wondering why they didnt just make a double album with all the material they left off.

[@dustandroktwok1447]

Great video. Interesting story. These are very commonly found recordings among Beatles collectors now and its amazing that you were a part of it. I first heard this tape when it came out on Unsurpassed Masters. Obviously the most surprising thing to me was the additions that Ringo made on the end of Side 1 and the beginning of Side 2. That little world music sample at the start of Yer Blues blew my mind.

[@billslocum9819]

Poor Michael Sellers had access to little else from his father's legacy, as he was aced out of his inheritance by Sellers' fourth and final wife, Lynne Frederick. I think one of Sellers' two daughters, Victoria, his child by Britt Ekland, got nothing at all. Michael's contact with his father was never cut off completely, but was diminished to very little by the time Sellers died in 1980. Michael wrote about their problematic relationship in his book, "P. S. I Love You."

[@briankellymusician]

Fantastic as always Andrew! Great to see a little insight into your past working with all that great memorabilia. Peter Sellers often hailed as a genus but also a complex character too I have a love for all the pink panther films and you never know that reel to reel might surface one day.. Thanks again for sharing Andrew.. 👍

[@edwardmulholland7912]

The Michael Sellers story is a very sad one, made even sadder by his early death. I’ve heard the tape and like those versions. What was Michael like as a person? It was fun to see you at such a young age, I was 19/20 in 1988 myself - a long time ago now lol, even if I remember it well. I never knew the full background of how this tape came into the public domain, so thank you for sharing this.

[@davehoward22]

Same here.. (born in 68)

[@andreasrausch735]

This great video comes in the right moment. Just five days ago a person I love returned from Tokyo and surprised me with a 2023 remastered (of course Japanese) Bootleg-CD of the beloved "Peter Sellers Tape" (She loves me, yeah, yeah, yeah). It is my favorite unofficial Beatles-"Album" just for the fact, that wonderful Ringo sat down and made a Mix-Tape from his rough Mixes of the still unfinished so-called "White Album" for his friend Peter Sellers, adding Eastern Chants and funny personal "messages". Everyone who loves making Mix-Tapes for friends (or know Nick Hornby´s "High Fidelity") can understand the emotional value of this extraordinary gem. I have now three different versions of it and never had to ask anyone where to find it. Thank you very much for your Video.

[@blackvinylgrooves]

Wow. Amazing story, and a very sad ending. It makes me wonder where the rest of Peter Sellers' estate went to. I was always a fan of Peter's work, not so much for The Goons, which both was a little before my time, and we never got to hear in the states, but from his movies and his records, which we know were one of countless influences on The Beatles. Andrew, you were very lucky to have gotten a job at an auction house like that at such a young age.

[@andyhowells2657]

Thanks for this fascinating insight into Peter Sellers Beatles tape Andrew. Its also really interesting to hear your stories working in the auctions too. RIP Michael Sellers - I did enjoy reading his book about his father, PS I Love You and I hope he managed to get some enjoyment from the money the tape sold for. as it did sound like a very hard relationship with his Dad - something I can sadly identify with.

[@michaelcarpenter2498]

Sad to hear about Michael Sellers dying real young. Only boitleg I own is Get Back by Glyn Johns, both versions. Very interesting tale about the tape and shows how the relationship between family can be complicated. Great video Andrew.

[@buddygreco2348]

Excellent video Andrew! So sad that he passed away on the same day as his Dad. Truly sad story. But how cool that he walked in with the tape and handed it to you.....I do have a wonderful pink vinyl copy of these recordings called How Pink Is Your Panther. Sound quality is fantastic!!...Remarkable story Andrew...I'm ready for more...

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

A fascinating story, and nice to hear a bit about your background too and how you started in the industry.

[@neutrino182]

One of your finest offerings to date Andrew. And nice to learn a bit more about your own journey. What I’d give to be doing a badly paid job that I absolutely loved right now.

[@RegebroRepairs]

"I won't be answering". Very diplomatically avoiding saying "I don't have a copy". 😀

[@debjorgo]

I have this on Unsurpassed Master Vol 4.

[@williamhenderson8371]

I have a CD bootleg of this tape via Yellow Dog Records. It is one of my prized possessions. It should receive a wider release as it is an integral part of the Beatles story. I can’t imagine the Beatles rejecting the idea as it is superior to the Kinfauns demos IMO.

[@markokino3716]

I remember buying a bootleg CD of the Peter Sellers tape in the early 1990s. The sound quality is so good I thought I was listening to official mono mixes of the White Album. I knew there were subtle differences between the mono and stereo mixes. Upon revisiting, I realize most of these mixes are unreleased.

[@anthonycraig1458]

Another great video and love the final word from Bluebottle! Huge fan of Peter Sellers and of course he had a good relationship with The Beatles. I managed to get the 4CD boxed set that came out in 1993 of all his albums including all the great Beatles songs he covered. No doubt about him being a complicated character but he was a legend.

[@moxievision]

I have that box set, A Celebration of Sellers, and it has nearly all of his Beatles songs recordings, except his version of She Loves You sung in the style of Dr. Strangelove. It's probably my favourite of the bunch, so it's a headscratcher why it was omitted, but I have it on other releases. AFAIK, the only ones that came out while Sellers was alive was the single of A Hard Day's Night (in the style of Laurence Olivier's Richard III) and the b-side Help! (in the style of an Anglican minister's sermon).

[@moreheff]

I love stories like this. I could almost hear the clink of your jaw hitting the floor. Even now all these years later I can still hear it reverberating LOL I imagine that tape on the market today would probably fetch a lot more and Apple or Paul would be wanting to get their hands on it.

[@SimonJohnNoble]

What an amazing story! Thank you so much Andrew. You’ve kept that under your cap for a while!

[@deccagonerecords]

Excellent video. This story is great, stuff no one has ever heard about. Thanks for this one Andrew!

[@moondogaudiojones1146]

Wow! I have several versions of that “bootleg” but the story behind it was unfulfilled. Great to hear the story behind it. It’s one recording worth knowing a little more about. Great episode! So tragic to hear about his son though. I was unaware of that.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Brian.

[@SamHarrisonMusic]

What do they call this bootleg? )

[@stevekirk7066]

​@@SamHarrisonMusic"How Pink Was My Panther" is a recent vinyl version.

[@stevekirk7066]

​@@SamHarrisonMusicsorry "How Pink is Your Panther"

[@bradparker9664]

It's a boot because it contains material recorded and in the hands of consumers without the artist not receiving compensation. I've had this "tape" (actually, it's a YD CD as I recall), but since it was never intended for release, lots of people have it, and The Beatles neither approved release and were not paid for it, it falls under the "black market" realm..

[@johnbuzz]

Well done Andrew, yet another fascinating video. Your channel truly is the gift that keeps on giving!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoy it, John!

[@Zappa-bn3dq]

Cheers, another piece of magic inserted into story of the Beatles!!! Nice head of hair as well

[@edryba4867]

Many thanks, Andrew, for this one! Great stories!

[@dang.5387]

Didn’t see that one coming. Great video! Thank you for sharing.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you for watching!

[@bengtl331]

This is a great video. I looked again in Lewisohn's Sessions book and found three entries, July 23, August 23 and August 27 1968, for sessions where tape copies of songs with early mono mixes were made, and ten of the songs on the Sellers tape were probably from those three dates.

[@renatooassis]

This video was so exciting to watch, it was amazing to hear this story but specially to see your younger version haha, amazing story Andrew.

[@KevinTheCaravanner]

Andrew, your own story is very interesting. Please could you create a video sometime about how you got to where you are today.

[@MIB_63]

Fascinating story and well presented as always. This is one of my favorite Beatles related channels and should have far more subscribers.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you!

[@rootbeer5356]

I appreciate you for telling this story, Extremely fascinating. I was able to find a copy of it online, and similar to the story behind it, its also quite interesting. I hope you talk more about Beatles Bootlegs or stuff in that general field, cause I find it all super intriguing

[@michaelbrooke6326]

What an interesting story! I was always curious about your background, thank you for sharing.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

[@Mr3isacrowd]

What an incredible story! Thanks for sharing.

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for watching!

[@martinfenton1275]

My mum’s friend Scouse Dot (I didn’t know her surname) dealt with a very nice young man at Phillips some 30-odd years ago. I wonder if that was you? Dot was a Cavern regular, and she had the autographs of John, George and Pete. If you did deal with her, she doubtlessly told you why she didn’t bother to get Paul’s and complete the set. It was because “he was a big-headed bugger” and she deliberately didn’t ask him to sign in order to teach him a lesson. That told him.

[@Parlogram]

I was there 1988-1991 so if Dot came by then it would have been me.

[@CrunchyFrog47]

What a great story! Thank for this inside look.

[@stephenrostkoski837]

Very interesting to hear the story behind one of the more interesting Beatle bootlegs. Nice to find out about your early career as well. I had a similar dream job working for a music museum archive for awhile.

[@zacharyspencer8321]

Excellent! Great first person perspective of a Beatles milestone.

[@kelhard5632]

Listened to the Peter Sellers Tape today. Great and unique mixes. I should dig deeper and see if any of those mixes were issued on the mono LP or the deluxe box.

[@deepredson]

I am so pleased (and a little flabbergasted) at your wonderful historical disclosures re the tape. It puts all my unanswered questions to bed. In fact I can't thank you enough. My favourite video of yours for certain. (wish you had included a little of your 21 year old voice from the Swedish interview though!!) Bestest Barty

[@dimebagdave77]

You're as big a star as the Beatles ever were🤘😁 its just crazy how fast the years slip by when you're not paying attention..we've been jammin' a long time haven't we man? Manythnx, good to see you as always

[@fgrady1]

Thanks for the details involving your history with the Sellers tape. Fascinating! Loved the early photos of you from back then.

[@davidadams6863]

What a tragic story. Thank you for sharing it.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you for watching, David!

[@user-sq4jz9up6g]

I may be in the minority but I liked Magic Christian especially the Bad finger songs and I've always been a fan of Peter Sellers Another great video Andrew

[@muziktrkr]

The book was written in 1959 but the subject matter is totally relevant in 2023 when it comes to "reality TV". Guy Grand would probably be a TV producer in a reboot. Terry Southern wrote an updated screenplay in the 90s that never got made.

[@user-sq4jz9up6g]

@@muziktrkr I agree like the movie people will degrade themselves for a shot at $$ and celebrity or social media status

[@stevensprunger3422]

Wonderful wonderful wonderful information yeah I’m sure we all would love to listen to those tapes but the information in itself is gold in itself

[@danieladuran2899]

What an interesting story! Quite enjoyed looking at 80s! Andrew and loved hearing how you are a part of Beatles history. Michael’s story was sad; estrangement and pettiness cause such heartbreak. I’m glad you were able to help him with the auction

[@ZillMob]

Lovely video and story. Thanks

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephenpitcher8755]

Great video Andrew I have always been a Peter Sellers fan so am always fascinated when the Beatles intersect with him

[@robertsaul234]

Early Beatles' boots are great...so many takes of early songs in great sound quality. Mainly just full band performances in the studio before the sessions became complicated.

[@doodledangernoodle2517]

Really hope we get more on a future Sessions-type release

[@robertsaul234]

@@doodledangernoodle2517 2023 is the 60th anniversary of the first two albums. Would have been a logical time to put some of them out. I'm glad I have my collection.

[@jrussellcase]

Andrew had cool hair. 😁😎

[@anthonygiancaterino3253]

Thank you so much for this video. I have the original Peter Sellers CD I bight in 1993. After watching this video, I pulled out the CD and gave it a listen. I completely forgot about this recording. It was awesome to listen to it again.

[@seid3366]

Never thought we'd see a young Andrew. Also cool to hear about the bootleg, alongside its details. I'll assume the version of Everybody's Got Something is RM5, which was included some years back on a mega rip folder.

[@josejo1]

Fascinating story!!! Greetings from Mexico

[@dondevice8182]

Hey, just wanted to tell you, this is really one of your best efforts really top notch surprising and fun! It was nice to you little bit of your own biography as well… Don’t worry about your baby pictures, and our age, we begin to get the faces we deserve! :-)

[@NeatBeatZone]

oh wow lol I didn't know you had that history. another entertaining and informative video bud. 😀

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@mslaerik66]

I love this version of the White Album

[@jasonwhiton174]

Amazing story! Thanks, Andrew. And fun to see footage from your early days!

[@drummerjohnforyou]

I bought a lot of Beatles bootlegs albums and compact discs. There was a compact disc I bought called off-white. The disk had a 68 on it.

[@nrod66]

Interesting story, Michael. Thanks for sharing. See you, Nelio.

[@shnibby69]

This blows me away, Andrew! Thank you for another great post!!!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlcushmanhybels8159]

As a kid, on night AM Radio I remember hearing Peter Seller's Shakespearian "It Has Been A Hard Day's Night" a couple times.

[@markearnestfromreno613]

That’s a wild one, Andrew! Thanks for all the details (and for not wincing too hard at the 20s version of you sans beard or flatcap 😁👍🏼👍🏼)

[@NLKINK]

That was certainly a completely unknown story to me! Thanks for sharing.

[@jimellison4822]

Excellent and fascinating 👏🏾

[@Parlogram]

Thank you, Jim!

[@herbstencil]

Great story. Thanks.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@HartponderJr]

Amazing story!! Thank you for sharing and your insights and expertise.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hofnerbassman737]

Fascinating video Andrew as I'm a Peter Sellers fan too. I'd never heard this story before - quite sad though as Michael Sellers seemed to have a rather difficult relationship with his father. Be interesting to see if anyone produces a bootleg based upon the Ringo Starr tape ! Cheers Tim

[@davidthompson4649]

Another great episode! keep them coming... bravo..clap clap.

[@ianhughes9928]

Amazing story Andrew Thanks for sharing it,Ian

[@Parlogram]

Thanks for listening, Ian!

[@adyhartmusic]

What a fascinating and compelling video! Bloody love this channel! ❤ it’s the gift that keeps on giving!! Excellent!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoy it, Ady!

[@tecpaocelotl]

Interesting story.

[@retronostalgiafan8635]

Amazing story Andrew! You were my age of 21 when you handled a rare Beatles’ tape!

[@ibji]

I've had reel to reel tapes since forever, and only now do I find out IPS stands for inches per second...

[@paulsurelynotsmith8179]

Wow Andrew bet that was something peter sellers son ..cor ...peter was one of my all time favs sad about his son very sad amazing report and what a find. Great and interesting video sir.

[@Parlogram]

Thank you kindly, Sir!

[@lotsaringwear2937]

The King is gone but the coat lives on. Great SNL skit. Thanks Andrew for your great videos. You had a dream job.

[@michaelmiller641]

Fascinating! Thankyou!

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

[@graemeking7336]

You didn't make a 'safety copy' of the tape. ? I certainly would have...

[@beyondobscure]

Wow. You've certainly been around more than once. I'm fascinated, it's almost too perfect to be true. But considering all the Beatles-related STUFF you've shown us over the past several years, I'm inclined to believe.

[@brianroberts1459]

👍great job Andrew! Really enjoyed this episode. It must have been exciting. Cheers!

[@Parlogram]

Cheers Brian. It was!

[@slowpokemax]

I finally know the full story behind this bootleg CD. Thank you...... I somehow have this funny feeling that I know the identity of the buyer lol

[@mars7934]

Great story Andrew, thanks for sharing 👍

[@Badger_Watch42]

Brilliant stuff Andrew. Another great episode!

[@normansaunders6891]

Hi Andrew, A very interesting and sad tale. I wonder if it would be possible to do a proper video on the Beatles at Stowe School. The recording of the concert has been donated to the National Museum and has been uploaded to KZbin. BBC Radio 4 did a program back in April to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the event but neglected to mention which tracks were performed despite all of them being performed at the BBC. The track listing was as follows 01 I Saw Her Standing There 02 Too Much Monkey Business 03 Love Me Do 04 Some Other Guy 05 Misery 06 I Just Don't Understand 07 A Shot Of Rythm And Blues 08 Boys 09 Matchbox 10 From Me To You 11 Thank You Girl 12 Memphis, Tennessee 13 A Taste Of Honey 14 Twist And Shout 15 Anna (Go To Him) 16 Please Please Me 17 The Hippy Hippy Shake 18 Talking "Bout You 19 Ask Me Why 20 Till There Was You 21 Money (That's What I Want) 22 I Saw Her Standing There (Reprise) Keep on keeping us iwell nformed.

[@professorginz2379]

Great story! I really enjoyed this episode.

[@Parlogram]

Glad you enjoyed it!