The Beatles began a three-night mini tour of Scotland on this day, with a performance at the Concert Hall in Glasgow. Also on the bill were Mike Berry, and Freddy Starr and the Midnighters.
This was the group’s only concert at the venue, although they did perform elsewhere in Glasgow on four other occasions. Afterwards they stayed at the city’s Central Station Hotel.
The Concert Hall, at 625 Argyle Street, Glasgow, opened in 1899 as the Tivoli Variety Theatre. It was also known as the Gaiety Theatre, but closed and demolished in 1968.
The three Scottish dates were promoted by Albert Bonici, who had an exclusive agreement with Brian Epstein for concerts in the country.
Last updated: 25 January 2024
Also on this day...
- 2024: Paul McCartney live: Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires
- 2023: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Chicago Theatre, Chicago
- 2018: Paul McCartney live: Austin City Limits Music Festival
- 2016: Paul McCartney live: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento
- 2014: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: CenturyLink Center, Omaha
- 2012: Love Me Do at 50: Beatles fans break world singing record in Liverpool
- 2005: Paul McCartney live: Madison Square Garden, New York City
- 2002: Paul McCartney live: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
- 1999: US album release: Run Devil Run by Paul McCartney
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart
- 1984: US single release: Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him by John Lennon
- 1969: Recording, mixing: Cold Turkey, Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow) by Plastic Ono Band
- 1968: Recording, mixing: Savoy Truffle, Martha My Dear, Honey Pie, Dear Prudence
- 1962: The Beatles live: Co-operative Hall, Nuneaton
- 1962: UK single release: Love Me Do
- 1960: The Beatles live: Kaiserkeller, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Hello …
My name is Andi Lothian. I wonder if you would be interested in augmenting the information that you hold regarding the three Scottish dates – Glasgow, Kirkaldy, and Dundee – 5th, 6th and 7th October 1963. I was co-promoter with Albert on all three occasions and it was myself who negociated the October tour in Brian’s office the day after the earlier January trip finished – Albert and I were business partners on a number of major promotions in the early 60’s, the most successful being these three Beatles concerts. I MC’d all three events. Albert and I paid the band £40 a night for the short Scottish tour in January, (which is currently the subject of much BBC interest) and £500 a night for each of the three October events. I have some interesting factual anecdotes which I would be delighted to share …
I was there and recall the occasion. Im sure they began with Roll Over Beethoven which was still to be released, otherwise they did much from Please Please Me LP and the 2 singles since its release. I recall Tommy Dene opened and the Caravelles were also on the bill. Was Kathy Kirby there and who else?
I lived about 200 yards from the venue, the Gaeity cinema as it was known locally it only became the Glasgow Concert Hall as a temporary venue after the St. Andrews Halls (a much larger venue burned down). My mother stood for hours at Cuthbertsons music shop in Sauchiehall St. to get tickets for me and my pal. If I remember correctly they cost six shillings and eight pence, thirty three pence in decimal coinage. My pal Peter Lannigan and I were in 2nd year of secondary school were 13 and Beatles mad. I don’t remember hearing any of the songs cos we were surrounded by screaming girls.
Fifty years later the memories are clear, we were the envy of our schoolmates at the height of Beatlemania.
Alex Taylor did U ever go in2 the Gaiety fish n’chip shop next door . Trying 2 find photos was my dad’s shop.
That chip shop was the closest to where we lived so we used it regularly.
I was at that concert with my dear cousin (now deceased) we were maybe 16 at the time. 4th row left stage and aisle seats, will never forget it. Its true that the girls screamed from start to finish. Now I heard a story afterwards that the hall staff said the balcony was moving that night and they were afraid it was going to collapse. I believe it closed shortly thereafter so there may have been some truth to the rumour. By the way as a footnote, I used to live at 611 Argyle Street right next door but not at the time of concert.
I was there also . to see the beatles at the Glasgow concert hall. . they still are my favourite group. jean marshall.australia
I was 17 and also there Alex Taylor is right the concert should have played the St Andrews Hall but as this burned down the Gaeity picture hall in Anderston was used for concerts
I went to school in Washington Street which was near to the Picture Hall and used it throughout my childhood I remember at the end of the concert we waited for the band to do an encore when the curtains closed but they never came back on and when I rushed outside to catch a glimpse of them the were already leaving from the Stobcross Street exit in Limos
I was 14 and my sister 19 when we saw the beatles that night. My dad was a salesman who called in to Cuthbertsons music shop and the owner gave him two tickets as he knew him well. My sister and I went mad when he gave the tickets to us. I remember the beatles singing please please me and we could hardly hear them for the screaming. It was a fab night. Carol McConnell nee Forbes
I was there, aged 14, .I’m pretty sure that a band called the Overland’s rs were on the bill.
I was there, aged 15. My brilliant mum also queued for ages for 2 precious tickets. My friend and I couldn’t hear anything except Paul jokingly
shouting ‘Shurrup’ to the audience, which made them scream all the more! Some of us were telling people to be quiet, it was so frustrating not to be able to hear The Beatles sing or talk. I couldn’t hear a thing on exiting the theatre. Prior to that concert, at the Odeon in June 1963, we were able to hear everything. We had walked into the theatre to buy tickets easily. Amazing how a few months made such a difference with The Beatles gaining such incredible popularity. I’ve been a Beatles fan forever. Now my young grandson loves them and plays their songs very well on guitar.