The Beatles had been due to record a session for the BBC Light Programme radio show Saturday Club on 11 March 1963, but cancelled due to John Lennon’s illness and a Radio Luxembourg appearance. They agreed instead to make a live appearance on this day.
The group arrived at 9am for a quick rehearsal, and the show was broadcast from 10am to midday. The Beatles performed six songs, only three of which were on their forthcoming Please Please Me album: ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘Misery’, ‘Too Much Monkey Business’, ‘I’m Talking About You’, ‘Please Please Me’ and ‘The Hippy Hippy Shake’.
This was The Beatles’ first time inside the BBC’s Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London. Afterwards the group drove 158 miles to rejoin the Tommy Roe/Chris Montez tour in Sheffield.
Also on this day...
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney
- 1970: Playback: McCartney by Paul McCartney
- 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono fly to Paris
- 1969: Paul and Linda McCartney begin their honeymoon
- 1965: Filming: Help!, Austria
- 1964: US single release: Can’t Buy Me Love
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: The Beatles live: City Hall, Sheffield
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.