This was The Beatles’ 20th show at the Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, Wallasey.
Since Pete Best had been sacked by The Beatles the day before, the group were temporarily without a drummer. Standing in on this day was Johnny Hutchinson from The Big Three.
Hutchinson had also played at The Beatles’ first engagement of the night: a show at the Majestic Ballroom in Birkenhead.
Tower Ballroom was on the New Brighton promenade, and was capable of holding up to 5,000 people. The New Brighton Tower opened in 1900, and at 567ft was taller than Blackpool Tower. A 1,000 tonne lattice-steel observation tower overlooking the Wirral Peninsula, it was the tallest building in Britain when it was completed.
It was short-lived, however. Following closure during World War One, its structure began to decay and the tower was dismantled between 1919 and 1921.
The ballroom underneath fared better, however, and was used for nearly 50 years. However, the building was destroyed by fire in 1969. The area was later redeveloped as River View Park.
The Beatles played at the Tower Ballroom on 27 occasions. The other dates were 10 and 24 November; 1, 8, 15 and 26 December 1961; 12, 19 and 26 January; 15, 16 and 23 February; 2 March; 6 April; 21 and 29 June; 13, 21 and 27 July; 14 and 21 September; 12 October; 23 November; 1 and 7 December 1962; and 14 June 1963.
Also on this day...
- 2019: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater, Farmingville
- 2016: Paul McCartney signs to Capitol Records
- 2016: Paul McCartney live: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
- 2009: Paul McCartney live: BOK Center, Tulsa
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Mizner Amphitheater, Boca Raton
- 1973: Recording: Mind Games by John Lennon
- 1972: Wings live: De Doelen, Rotterdam
- 1969: Paul McCartney produces Mary Hopkin’s Que Sera, Sera
- 1968: George and Pattie Harrison fly to Greece
- 1966: The Beatles live: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
- 1965: The Beatles live: Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Canada
- 1963: The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Llandudno
- 1962: The Beatles live: Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead
- 1961: The Beatles live: St John’s Hall, Liverpool
- 1960: The Beatles’ first performance in Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.