The Beatles were in Toronto in 1966 answering reporters' questions that covered everything from Vietnam to the generation gap.The Beatles were in Toronto in 1966 answering reporters' questions that covered everything from Vietnam to the generation gap. (Canadian Press)

A 14-minute tape recording of a 1966 Beatles news conference in Toronto did not find a buyer on Sunday in Los Angeles.

The two reels up for auction feature John Lennon responding to questions about his statement that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus.

Reporters at the event hosted by the King Edward Hotel also asked the Fab Four — Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison — about other issues including Vietnam, the generation gap and how long they would remain together.

Lennon makes the light-hearted response: "We're obviously not gonna go around holding hands forever." Then McCartney jokes: "It would be a bit, you know, embarrassing at [age] 35."

The auction house, Bonham and Butterfields, estimated the artifact would fetch between $20,000 to $25,000 US.

Jannelle Grigsby, from the auction house, said the auction process works with a reserve, which is a confidential number that the client and the auction house agree upon, and if the item does not meet the reserve, the item does not sell.

Grigsby said she had no immediate information on how high the bidding reached, or what would now happen to the recordings.

Another audiotape of the news conference will be auctioned in Dallas, Texas, and online in October.