The Beatles’ final European tour opened with a concert at the Palais des Sports in Paris.
While leaving London Airport the group learned that fans had been turned away by airport authorities, who had claimed that The Beatles has asked them to stay away. This was later denied by the group and Brian Epstein.
The Beatles and their entourage arrived at the Paris-Orly airport at 9.55am and were taken to the George V hotel. Around 50 fans were waiting at the hotel, far fewer than on their previous visit.
They played two concerts at the Palais des Sports, at 3pm and 9pm, each of which was seen by 6,000 people. Also on the bill were The Yardbirds. Both were recorded by French radio station Europe 1; the first was broadcast from 1pm on 27 June, and the second was transmitted live.
The evening performance was also filmed by television channel 2, and was shown on 31 October from 7.30pm.
At night they were visited at their hotel by popular French singer Françoise Hardy, before The Beatles went to the Castel nightclub on 15 Rue Princesse, where they partied until the early hours.
The Beatles’ set throughout the European tour comprised 12 songs: ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘She’s A Woman’, ‘I’m A Loser’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby’s In Black’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’, ‘Rock And Roll Music’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Ticket To Ride’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
The tour ended on 3 July 1965 in Barcelona, Spain, and encompassed a total of 15 concerts spread over nine dates.
Ringo Starr performed at the Palais des Sports on 26 June 2011.
Also on this day...
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
- 2018: Paul McCartney announces new album Egypt Station
- 2014: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank
- 2012: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: American Music Theatre, Lancaster
- 2011: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Symphony Hall, Birmingham
- 2010: Paul McCartney live: Hampden Park, Glasgow
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Casino Rama, Rama
- 2004: Paul McCartney live: Palace Square, St Petersburg
- 1995: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Kōsei Nenkin Kaikan, Hiroshima
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
- 1968: Recording: Revolution 9
- 1968: Paul McCartney flies to New York
- 1966: Mixing: Got To Get You Into My Life
- 1964: The Beatles live: Sydney Stadium, Sydney
- 1963: John Lennon apologises for assaulting Bob Wooler
- 1963: The Beatles Ltd is formed
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
When comparing all the various concert recordings, I think this is one of the better shows they did, performance-wise. What still amazes me is why did they decide to fill their set with 40% covers, like their own stuff wasn´t good enough.
Watched this film again the other week, still a great show to hear. The audience is clapping along with the songs more than just screaming their heads off. Pity George´s guitar is so low in the mix. Paul is trying his best with his French a couple of times. Also a rare occasion where the drums are right on the floor instead of on an elevated contraption, a riser as it is called. Other than the gigs in Rome and Milan in 1965, we have to go back to Paris early 1964 to see a similar arrangement. And since this is the first shows with a brand new bunch of songs, Paul always checks the set list on the bass before he speaks. Would be fun if he had introduced the wrong song though!
This is also a rare instance where they do an encore. Ticket to ride is introduced as the last song, the group leaves the stage and returns to do Long tall Sally. I wonder if this happened at any other Euro 65 show? I can´t tell from existing audios or videos.