After having sold out all the dates thus far on their US tour, The Beatles only managed to sell 7,000 tickets for their only concert at the spectacular Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver, Colorado, leaving 2,000 tickets unsold.
There had been death threats. I remember going to one of their concerts at the Red Rock Stadium in Denver where Brian and I climbed up on a gantry overlooking the stage, and we looked down at the boys below during the performance; and the amphitheatre is such that you could have a sniper on the hill who could pick off any of the fellows at any time – no problem. I was very aware of this, and so was Brian, and so were the boys.
Prior to the concert The Beatles stayed at the Brown Palace Hotel. They took to the stage at 9.30pm; during the show they frequently felt out of breath due to the thin air in Denver, so oxygen canisters were placed on the stage for them to use.
Despite the unsold tickets, with this show The Beatles set a box office record for the open-air stadium. The event was the earliest notable rock ‘n’ roll performance at the venue.
The Beatles performed their standard 12-song set which they retained for most of the tour: ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘You Can’t Do That’, ‘All My Loving’, ‘She Loves You’, ‘Things We Said Today’, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘If I Fell’, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, ‘Boys’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
On 26 August 2004 the Beatles tribute band 1964 re-enacted the concert, precisely 40 years after it first took place. Ticket sales are unknown.
Ringo Starr returned to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 28 June 2000.
Can someone tell me the dates (4 I think) that John Denver performed at Red Rocks in July, 1974?
June 27, 28, 29 and 30 1974. The setlist.
Of interest, regarding the death threat (“If you know what’s good for you cancel Denver engagement. I’ll be in the audience and I’m going to throw a hand grenade instead of Jelly Babies. — Beatle Hater” made of cut-out magazine letters), is the FBI release of the investigation file, here.
Thanks for that! I’d not seen the actual note before.
Long Story.. But i got 2 FREE Tickets TO that concert… for being a Nice Guy and Helping 2 drunks Out of a bar !! (Also was offered a Job as a bouncer at the Baja Club..very exciting 2 Days !!!!)
Selling only 7,000 tickets of a 9,000 seat venue was a rumor perpetuated and invented by Promoter Barry Fey who arrived on the Denver booking scene in ’67 or ’68. He was always jealous of not being involved with the Beatles tours. The Red Rocks appearance was 300 short of a sellout, but was beyond capacity by the time the Beatles hit the stage from fans that could easily sneak into Red Rocks due to limited security at the time . Many photos and film confirm a capacity crowd including overflow fans sitting on the rocks surrounding the venue…how do I know this? I was there backstage…my father (Verne Byers) was the promoter…
Hey Brad, I remember your dad very well. I was at the Baja with my dad several times, once working in the coat check room.
Part of the official reason that Red Rocks was not sold out, was that Vern was using them for promos and ended up not getting all of them out. I know because I was the beneficiary of one of those tickets. Also, as an aside, my dad was the security for the Beatles dressing room.
What an experience!
Who were the other entertainers that played there that night? I was there too! I’m from Buffalo, NY and my dad graduated from the University of Denver.