By February 1963 appearances by The Beatles at Liverpool’s Cavern Club certainly weren’t unusual. However, by this time their fame had grown considerably, and demand to see them was high.
As such, the queue for admittance to the club began two days before the event. Part of the reason for the anticipation was that it was The Beatles’ first show at the venue in two weeks.
An additional reason for the crowds was the buzz around the release of the ‘Please Please Me’ single. The news that it had topped the singles charts in the New Musical Express and Disc magazines was announced from the stage by the Cavern’s DJ Bob Wooler.
Wooler read out a telegram to The Beatles by their manager Brian Epstein, sent c/o the Cavern Club. As he announced the news of Please Please Me’s success, the audience went quiet. They sensed that The Beatles were no longer their secret. The Beatles, meanwhile, already knew that they were number one.
Also on the bill at the Cavern were Lee Curtis and the All Stars, The Pathfinders, and Freddie Starr and the Midnighters. And in the crowd for The Beatles’ set was Pete Best, drummer at the time for the All Stars, although both he and The Beatles were at pains to avoid an encounter with one another. It was the last time The Beatles set eyes on Best.
This was The Beatles’ 278th known Cavern Club performance, and their 123rd evening show.
Although the precise number is not known, The Beatles played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows. Their final performance at the underground venue took place on 3 August 1963.
After the performance The Beatles drove to London.
Also on this day...
- 2013: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
- 1999: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Mohegan Sun Event Center, Uncasville
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Forum di Assago, Milan
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: Omni Coliseum, Atlanta
- 1971: UK single release: Another Day by Paul McCartney
- 1970: Recording: It Don’t Come Easy by Ringo Starr
- 1970: Recording: Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing by Ringo Starr
- 1968: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr fly to India
- 1965: Recording: You’re Going To Lose That Girl
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1961: The Beatles live: Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.