The Beatles began their first tour of 1963 with a performance at the Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Scotland, on 3 January.
The Two Red Shoes opened as a jazz venue on 28 July 1960 by Albert Bonici.
The Beatles’ Scottish tour had been booked in November 1962 by Jack Fallon at the Cana Variety Agency. The Beatles earned £42 a night.
Despite the low cost, Fallon still lost money on the tour but a clause in his contract did offer Bonici an exclusive option on all future appearances in Scotland.
The group’s appearance at the Two Red Shoes was promoted by the Elgin Folk Music Club, who regularly staged events at the venue.
The ballroom where The Beatles performed was L-shaped, which meant that some members of the audience were unable to see the stage.
Also on this day...
- 2011: Beatles museum opens in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
- 1970: Recording: I Me Mine
- 1969: Get Back/Let It Be sessions: day two
- 1964: Live: The Beatles’ Christmas Show
- 1964: US single release: Please Please Me
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1926: George Martin is born
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
The Two Red Shoes Ballroom was never L-Shaped as Ringo believes [see plans at https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/two-red-shoes-ballroom/ . Also, though band leader Alex.Sutherland was correct about 80 in audience for first half of show, it wasn’t a complete wash out for the first tour gig of The Beatles [with Ringo in the band]. They were appreciated by the young beat fans and 200 showed up for the second half of the performance. The jazz-style house band were impressed by the arrangements of cover songs besides the harmonies. Considering that it was a cold, snowy night in January, it was a respectable turn-out since people around Elgin hadn’t heard the band other than “Love Me Do” which had made it on the top twenty chart of Luxembourg radio…
Jack Fallon of Cana Variety-London represented Albert Bonici who gained bookings for The Beatles in 1962-64. Any losses that occurred would have those of Scottish promoter Bonici and regional promoters who paid the cost of a gig. Due to poor weather, busses were likely not running and fans in Buckie besides soldiers stationed in Lossiemouth [along the coast] would be less likely to attend. Still they sold concessions that night and were a half capacity [200] by the second half of the show [according to a bouncer/ticket taker attending that night]. People were having to change their snow boots to get on the dance floor but the show went on. I’ve heard mixed reviews from locals though overall it was a successful show. One fan was given a broken string by John Lennon according to her son and the house-band [who performed trad jazz medleys] thought their arrangements were great.
Spent many times dancing at The Two Red Shoes in the 1960s.Courted the beautiful and talented Alyson Armstrong during that time. Remember The Beatles as was the day after my 21st birthday.
Yes many a good night at the Red Shoes in Elgin. I was a bit too young to see the Beatles. A lot of good memories from the Red Shoes and saw a lot of Bands at the Town Hall too, thanks to Albert Bonici. Also in the Ballerina in Nairn. Jethro Tull and Chicken Shack. I know Slade were there, but I didn’t see them. They weren’t my style at the tie. Happy Days or what.