You Won't See Me: When the Beatles Ghosted Imelda - Paperback

by David Guerrero (Author)

The Beatles, on what would be their final world tour, arrived in a country unlike any other.

In the mid-1960s, the Philippines hosted America's largest military bases in the region while the Vietnam War was escalating. The Marcoses were photogenic and, on the surface at least, presented as poster children for democracy; Life magazine even dubbed Ferdinand and Imelda the "Jackie and JFK" of Asia. The Beatles' management saw the tour as a lucrative opportunity to open new markets.

Before their arrival, invitations were sent--both directly and via the local promoter--for lunch at the Presidential Palace. Whether the invitations were accepted remains disputed. On the morning of July 4, 1966, when escorts arrived to collect the band, their manager, Brian Epstein, refused to attend, leaving over 300 people, including Imelda and her family, standing on live television.

Despite two large and successful concerts, the band's experience with official displeasure left them fearful for their security and eager to leave. A chaotic encounter at the airport with Palace guards convinced them never to return and played a key role in their decision to end touring altogether. Initially, the Beatles distinguished between their fans and the officials, but the entire visit came to be remembered as a single "bad" experience. From that point on, the band achieved greater creative heights as a studio-based group, while the Philippines--little known in the West--became defined by this infamous story.

Praise for You Won't See Me:

"When the Fab 4 and Imelda collided, the power of Beatlemania met the political heft of the Marcoses in 1966 Manila. What could possibly go wrong? Well, just about everything, as David Guerrero brilliantly details." --Paul French, Author, Her Lotus Year

"An indispensable addition to the Beatles literature." --James Hamilton Paterson, Author, America's Boy

"A cautionary tale of pride, ego, and celebrity misadventures." --Rolling Stone Philippines

"I'm as intrigued as any fan to find out what really happened to the Beatles in Manila" --Julian Lennon

Author Biography

David Guerrero is a Manila-based writer with a deep love for the Beatles and the Philippines. He wrote and presented the BBC World Service documentary When the Beatles Didn't Meet Imelda, which he further developed as part of his master's degree at Harvard University's Extension School. He was recently honored with a National Book Award in the Philippines for a book on generating creative ideas.

​A celebrated advertising creative director, David devised the long-running tourism campaign line "It's More Fun in the Philippines" and has won major international advertising awards through his agency, BBDO Guerrero. Born in London to a Filipino father and English mother, he is married to magazine publisher Angel. Together, they have raised two children and now share their home with a dog and two cats.