This was The Beatles’ first performance at Blair Hall on Walton Road in Walton, Liverpool.
The show was booked by Peak Promotions, which ran jive events at four northern England venues: Blair Hall, Holyoake Hall in Wavertree, the David Lewis Club in Great George Place, and the Columba Hall in Widnes. The Beatles performed at each of the venues apart from Columba Hall.
The Beatles played at Blair Hall on five occasions. The other dates were 16, 23, 29 and 30 July 1961.
Blair Hall was situated on the second floor of the Co-operative on Walton Road. The basement housed a furniture store and pharmacy, the ground floor sold groceries and soft furnishings, and the first floor was first floor was for Co-op offices and banking services.
The entrance to Blair Hall was at the side of the building on Christopher Street. The building was later demolished and a supermarket was built on the site.
Also on this day...
- 1996: Press release for Real Love
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: Civic Arena, Pittsburgh
- 1970: Recording: Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing by Ringo Starr
- 1969: Mixing: I’ve Got A Feeling, Don’t Let Me Down, Get Back, One After 909, Dig A Pony
- 1968: Ringo Starr rehearses for Cilla Black’s television show
- 1967: Filming: Penny Lane
- 1964: Press conference: London airport
- 1963: The Beatles live: Gaumont Cinema, Doncaster
- 1962: The Beatles live: Kingsway Club, Southport
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
on that sunday their first time on Blair hall I was talking to John and Paul for about 15 mins, I was giving Paul the information he wanted for their first visit there, John just stood there listening … on the way up the marble stairs I ripped the pocket of John Lennons coat, by accident, the funny thing was, Paul McCartney was wearing it at the time…it were a grey pebble dashed jacket with 3 patch pockets, sadly it ended up with 2…John laughed it off, they were sound lads bothof them…cheers franny conlin
Wasn’t it on County Road nearer to Rice Lane flyover on Queens Drive?
The supermarket might be Jack’s not the Iceland site further along on Walton Road
Wasn’t Blair Hall on County Road ,demolished and now a supermarket? Is the supermarket Jacks on the corner of Lowell Street or was it indeed on Walton Road/Christopher Street Iceland.
What I remember was carrying sound equipment up to the top floor , a killer, big building ,the second floor was equivalent to three normal floors, anyway glad to have played where the Lads played
Having looked further into this, I have seen a picture of a ticket for A Great Beat Session at Blair Jive Hall 16th July 1961 The Beatles Walton Road , entrance on Christopher Street .
So, Iceland supermarket it is !