This was The Beatles’ only live appearance anywhere in the county of Oxfordshire. It was arranged by John Smith, a London-based promoter.
Also on the bill were The Madisons. Tickets cost six shillings in advance.
While in Oxford The Beatles met Jeffrey Archer, who was then a student at Brasenose College, but later became a novelist, Conservative Party politician, and disgraced peer.
The group accepted Archer’s invitation to Brasenose’s senior common room, although they didn’t perform at the college. They did, however, agree to take part at a charity concert to be held on 12 June 1963 in Liverpool, in aid of the NSPCC.
At the interval I went to the toilet, and there beside me was Ringo Starr. He asked if I knew this Jeffrey Archer bloke. I said everyone in Oxford was trying to work out who he was. Ringo said: ‘He strikes me as a nice enough fella, but he’s the kind of bloke who would bottle your piss and sell it.’
Sheridan Morley
Last updated: 25 January 2024
Also on this day...
- 2013: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Festival Hall, Melbourne
- 1999: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Beacon Theatre, New York City
- 1972: Wings live: Town Hall, Leeds
- 1968: John Lennon and George Harrison arrive in Rishikesh
- 1967: Recording, mixing: Good Morning Good Morning
- 1965: Recording: I Need You, Another Girl, Yes It Is
- 1964: The Beatles’ second Ed Sullivan Show
- 1963: Please Please Me cover photoshoot
- 1962: The Beatles live: Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Wallasey
- 1962: The Beatles live: Technical College Hall, Birkenhead
- 1961: The Beatles live: Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cassanova Club, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Does anybody have any recordings of this? My step dad played with the Madison’s that night, he passed away a few years ago. I’d love to get some footage of that night to show his grandchildren.
What was his name? No footage or recordings were ever taken.