This was The Beatles’ 25th show at the Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, Wallasey.
The Beatles were a late addition to the bill, having been booked only the day before due to poor ticket sales. Earlier in the evening they had played at the Memorial Hall in Northwich, Cheshire, and had to hurry to Wallasey to perform at this second engagement.
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; 17 August; 14 and 21 September; 12 October; 23 November; 7 December 1962; and 14 June 1963.
Also on this day...
- 2011: Paul McCartney live: Lanxess Arena, Cologne
- 1991: George Harrison live: Yokohama Arena, Yokohama
- 1979: Wings live: Gaumont Theatre, Southampton
- 1972: UK single release: Hi, Hi, Hi by Wings
- 1971: US single release: Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon
- 1969: Ringo Starr is interviewed for the BBC’s Line-Up
- 1969: The final Beatles Book monthly magazine is published
- 1964: Ringo Starr goes into hospital
- 1963: The Beatles live: De Montfort Hall, Leicester
- 1962: The Beatles live: Memorial Hall, Northwich
- 1961: The Beatles live: Tower Ballroom, New Brighton, Wallasey
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.