The Greenwood Commonwealth reported on August 4, 1966, "Station WLEF went on the air this morning with a two minute editorial against the long mops. Ernie Phillips, manager said 'There are many talented teenagers locally and internationally who are better musicians than the Beatles. So what do we need with the Beatles! These men who have attacked the very principles upon which this great nation was founded are no longer deserving the respect of the teenagers.' In supporting the Birmingham station the manager said that he has obtained permission to have a local bon-fire on August 19... the day the Beatles are scheduled to make a mid-south appearance in Memphis. Local teenagers are asked to send their Beatle records, etc, etc and etc to WLEF who at approximately 3 p.m. on the 19th will have a burning on the banks of the Yazoo River and will dump the 'remains' in the Yazoo."

In a photo caption on August 8,  The Commonwealth wrote, "David Breazele, who had been among those wearing his hair long.. in the manner of the Beatles joins the local protest of the long mop's records with WLEF manager Ernie Phillips doing the 'clipping'.... The local station joined others in urging teens to bring their Beatle record etc. which will be burned on Aug. 19 the date the Beatles are scheduled to appear in Memphis." 

The photo depicts Breazele tilting his head in a chair with a sheet around him, and the mustachioed Phillips running electric hair clippers through the young man's hair. Surrounding him are three older boys holding Beatles memorabilia. One of them is grinning at the hair-cutting in front of him but the other two boys look on with dread.

The Commonwealth updated the situation with WLEF on August 13, "Ernie Philips, manager of WLEF says he is going right along with his Beatle protest. 'The management of this station and I feel that the Beatles are a bunch of smart alecks and although they say they are sorry and meant what they said only after they had read so extensively, we still feel that they are only apologizing now because of fear that it might hurt them financially. We are still going to ban playing their records,' said Phillips. He added that the scheduled burning of all Beatle paraphernalia will still be held on Aug. 19 on the banks of the Yazoo River. Phillips said the collection from local teenagers 'has been small but we hope they will continue to send in their protest with records, etc.'"

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