The Beatles performed one concert at Chicago’s International Amphitheatre on this day. The other acts on the bill were, in order of appearance, The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, and Jackie DeShannon.
There were plans to hold a civic reception for The Beatles during the day, with 100,000 people expected, but special events director Colonel Jack Reilly cancelled them saying there were insufficient police officers “for a bunch of singers”.
They arrived at Midway Airport at 4.40pm, an hour later than scheduled. Five thousand fans were waiting to see them, kept at a safe distance behind a chain link fence. The Beatles were ushered into a black limousine and taken to the Sahara O’Hare hotel at O’Hare International airport.
Outside the amphitheatre that evening, the crowds outside were so large that the group were forced to enter through the kitchens.
Inside, 15,000 fans watched the performance. Thirty-five usherettes and 170 ushers had been carefully selected to work at the concert due to their lack of interest in The Beatles. There were also 320 Chicago police officers on duty. Fans were frisked and large signs, jelly beans and other potential projectiles were confiscated.
I was got once by a cigarette lighter. It clouted me right in the eye and closed my eye for the stay. In Chicago a purple and yellow stuffed animal, a red rubber ball and a skipping rope were plopped up on stage. I had to kick a carton of Winston cigarettes out of the way when I played.
The Beatles performed their standard 12-song set: ‘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’.
After the concert The Beatles were driven straight back to Midway Airport, from where they flew to Detroit. They returned to the International Amphitheatre on one other occasion, for the opening date of their final tour in 1966.
The International Amphitheatre stood at 42nd Street and South Halsted. The venue suffered a decline during the 1970s and 1980s, becoming unable to attract enough large events, and was demolished in August 1999.
Also on this day...
- 2022: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lenox
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Stephens Auditorium, Ames
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Dodge Theatre, Phoenix
- 1998: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Wintershall Estate, Bramley
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Circus Maximus Showroom, Las Vegas
- 1975: UK single release: Letting Go by Wings
- 1968: Recording: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- 1967: Recording: I Am The Walrus
- 1966: John Lennon flies to Hanover, Germany
- 1963: The Beatles live: Gaumont Cinema, Taunton
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1960: The Beatles live: Indra Club, Hamburg
- 1959: The Quarrymen live: Casbah Coffee Club, Liverpool
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I was there!! My dad took my two sisters and my two friends to see them land at Midway
In 1964, The Beatles landed at Chicago Midway, and were driven to the Stock Yard Inn, near to the International Ampitheatre. There is currently on youtube, brief footage of the press conference held at the Stock Yards Inn. This is as opposed to the O’Hare Sahara Inn, where they stayed in 1965.
I was there! My Dad had to get scalped tickets–$40 each rather than the usual $3.50 to $5.50 apiece. My mom & I went–she had become a huge fan by that time. We attended all the Chicago concerts–64, 65, & 66.
I was there! My dad dropped me and my 2 friends off. I had 4th row seats from the mail. Still have my ticket stub! Wonder if it’s worth anything??
Same here- 23rd row center in the mail for $5.50!
I was there too! I was eleven. My best friend at the time, Cheryl Redfield took me with her grandmother. We had a great German dinner downtown in Chicago and then to see the Beatles. I remember crazy crowds, all the magic then. Couldn’t hear them (with all the screaming) but I knew all of the songs… by heart.? I got the complete volume of the Beatles for Christmas… and playing them brought me back. Still love them… now!
Stood outside with my parents and my sister’s friend’s mom while my sister and her two friends saw the concert. Heard the intense screaming and the high hat on the drum set – that’s what I heard of the Beatles live! But glad to say I was there; standing right in front of the front entrance to the Chicago Amphitheater.
Wow! I was there too! My mom was widowed a few years earlier. She went on a date and the man had Beatles tickets for my Mom, my sister who was 9 and me! I was 8 and not really into it-but WOW, now I have a story to tell. It was DEAFENING-literally! I remember not being able to hear for about an hour after the concert!
I found in the archived agreemebts for The Beatles playing in Chicago and other areas was made possible by Harvey Korman of Carol Burnett Show and many Mel Brooks movies family. It appears that his uncle Clarence “Clyde” Korman had created an underwriting model for the concerts to take place and Chicago was made possible.
I was at that first concert in Chicago. My father was press agent for the show and picked up the Beatles and took them to the press conference. I was at the press conference my father had arranged. The Beatles were very young and somewhat shell shocked by the crowd. And the screaming. We had 5th row center seats and somewhere is my ticket. But the screaming was so loud that you could not hear them sing. We also could not get to our seats … so we stood just in front of the stage. I was quite young and it was a powerful memory. A special memory. And definitely a piece of history.
I worked the show as an Andy Frain usher AND GOT PAID about $6 bucks or so to see the boys play and sing.
I remember thinking you can’t hear them singing as the whole place was singing every word of every song.
Also on the show were Frog Man Henry and Jackie DeShannon who I went to really like.