This was The Beatles’ first live show in Hull, Yorkshire, although they would perform there again three times.
The Majestic Ballroom was owned by the Top Rank organisation. The Beatles played there again on 13 February 1963.
The venue opened in November 1920 as the Holderness Hall Cinema, at a cost of £12,000. It was lavishly decorated and seated 2,000 people, later reduced to 1,850.
It was renamed the Gaumont Cinema in 1950, closed in 1959 and reopened soon after as the Majestic Ballroom. This lasted until 1965, when it was converted to a bingo hall. The building was demolished in 2004.
Page last updated: 25 January 2024
My step father was the manager of the Majestic in Hull when the Beatles appeared there in October 1962 and February 1963. I met them on both occasions. In 1963 they were contracted to Top Rank to play its dance halls so I met them when they went into his office to sign the documentation for confirming attendance. The 1962 appearance had an audience of less than 50 but in 1963 the dance hall was full to its limit and more.
Hello Ken, I was a very young police officer in 1962 and frequently doubled up with a colleague at weekends outside The Majestic to make sure there was no trouble. I remember the second visit there, but most of all I remember the Beatles visit to the ABC Regal. I was on duty in the theatre, in the centre aisle in full uniform as were many of my colleagues. We had never seen anything like it. The kids went absolutely wild. Standing, stomping and screaming. The officer in charge was a Chief Inspector with red hair. A real crusty old fart, in full uniform. He had all his WW 2 military medal bars displayed and of course belonged to another era. I was trying to watch the show, but could not hear a word of song. He came to me and shouted as loud as he could, ‘Tell them all to sit down and be quiet,’ ‘If I can do it, you can.’ I have never forgotten that day. I am now 80 years. Things were never the same. All best.