Beatles historian Sam Ho was one of the first music critics in Hong Kong and while working for Warner Brothers, built up an impressive collection of Beatles memorabilia. He talks to June Ng about the legendary band.

HK Magazine: When did you first hear the Beatles?
Sam Ho: I was about 10 years old. In 1962 “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” was a big hit and people were so crazy about it, they’d go to the herbal tea shops to listen to the music—not everyone had a radio at that time so that’s where you went to hear music. My dad was a music lover, and we had radio and Rediffusion TV, which was the pay TV station at the time, similar to the Cable TV now. I kept seeing their music videos and got to like them more and more. 

HK: How did growing up with the Beatles affect you?
SH:  My English definitely got better. In fact, many people of my generation only listened to English songs and that’s why we have such a good foundation in the language. The other influence is that I became a music critic and worked in the music industry. But I never thought of picking up a guitar or instrument—after I saw Eric Clapton and George Harrison perform together, I knew I’d never be that good so didn’t even bother trying.

HK: What kind of things did you collect?
SH:  I was a music critic and I used to be the marketing manager of Warner Brothers and, even though I didn’t work for EMI [the Beatles’s record label], I still got lots of merchandise and records. I wasn’t a really hardcore fan who kept everything. I gave a lot of stuff away to people I knew would give it a good home plus it was good to give things to the right people as they would remember you for it. I kept the “White Album” which was released in 1968. It’s special because it’s a vinyl, it’s white, and it’s the first double album in rock&roll history.

HK: We hear the Beatles set a rather unfortunate record for themselves when they came to Hong Kong...
SH:  Yes, they played the only show they ever performed that caused the organizers to lose money. But it wasn’t really their fault. Maybe the host lacked experience in balancing the costs?

HK: How do you feel about the myths surrounding the Beatles and their music, such as their experiences with drugs?
SH: It really depends on each individual’s interpretation of the band. Some people received a good message from their music, such as “make love, not war.” Some people received a bad message from their music but that doesn’t mean they were encouraging bad things. I can personally tell you with my own experience that using LSD or weed won’t make the music better. You probably won’t know what you’re listening to!

HK: Which Beatle would you be?
SH: I’d be the so-called “fifth member” Brian Epstein. I’m not talented in music so I’d rather be the man behind the scenes.

To see Sam’s rare Beatles memorabilia from Hong Kong and Japan, visit Tuen Mun Town Plaza from now to Jan 3.