John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Pete Best flew out of Manchester destined for Germany on this day, for their first residency at the Star-Club in Hamburg.
George Harrison was unwell at the time, and so flew to Germany the following day with The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein.
Lennon, McCartney and Best were met at the airport in Hamburg by Astrid Kirchherr, whose fiancee Stuart Sutcliffe had died of a brain haemorrhage the previous day. The loss was devastating for The Beatles.
The group performed at the Star-Club on Hamburg’s Grosse Freiheit from Friday 13 April to Thursday 31 May, a seven-week, 48-night residency.
Last updated: 25 March 2011
Also on this day...
- 2019: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Orikkusu Gekijō, Osaka
- 2002: Paul McCartney live: United Center, Chicago
- 1969: UK single release: Get Back
- 1967: Paul McCartney performs with Brian Wilson and John and Michelle Phillips
- 1966: Recording, mixing: Got To Get You Into My Life, Love You To
- 1965: Television: The Eamonn Andrews Show
- 1965: The Beatles live: NME Poll-Winners’ All-Star Concert
- 1963: The Beatles live: Co-operative Hall, Middleton
- 1963: UK single release: From Me To You
- 1963: John Lennon sees his son Julian for the first time
- 1961: The Beatles live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.