The Beatles performed just one concert in Madrid in Spain. It took place at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, the city’s bullring, where Brian Epstein had watched a bullfight on the previous day.
The concert began at 8.30pm. By this point in the tour The Beatles had become concerned at the level of violence they’d seen police use against the fans.
The thing I remember about Madrid, where we played another bullring, was that the police were so violent. It was the first time I’d really seen police beating kids up.I went to a bullfight there, and it was the saddest thing I ever saw. It was really sorrowful to see the bull just getting weakened and weakened. And then, when they finally kill the bugger, they wrap a chain round its leg and bring in a couple of cart-horses and drag the corpse away. I always thought it was such a miserable end. That’s the only bullfight I ever went to, and I’ve never been interested in seeing one again.
The Beatles performed 12 songs in Madrid. It was the same set used throughout their 1965 European Tour: ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘She’s A Woman’, ‘I’m A Loser’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby’s In Black’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’, ‘Rock And Roll Music’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Ticket To Ride’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
Also on this day...
- 2016: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles
- 2014: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Fraze Pavilion, Kettering
- 2011: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: L’Amphithéâtre, Lyon
- 2010: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: State Theatre, Easton
- 2009: John Lennon’s Höfner Senator guitar sells for £205,250
- 2008: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
- 2006: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Sandia Casino Amphitheater, Albuquerque
- 2005: Paul McCartney live: Live 8
- 1995: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St Louis
- 1992: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Gothenburg All Star Festival
- 1969: Recording: Her Majesty, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight
- 1968: Recording: Good Night
- 1966: The Beatles live: Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo
- 1964: Recording: It’s For You by Cilla Black
- 1963: Radio: Pop Go The Beatles
- 1962: The Beatles live: Plaza Ballroom, St Helens
- 1961: Travel: Hamburg to Liverpool
- 1960: The Silver Beetles live: Grosvenor Ballroom, Wallasey
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I totally agree with Ringo. Watching bullfights is just terrible. And police beating kids well, those were the times of the Conservatism in Spain.
My family lived in Madrid, my father worked on Torrejon AFB; I was 15 and my brother was 17 when our mother took us to see the Beatles in the bull ring! We sat 2 rows behind Eva Gabor! The audience was very respectful and my brother and I were the only ones on our feet!! Wonderful time!
Same as above, except I was 15 and my brother was 13, It changed my life and we both played in bands for years trying
to get that garage-band sound that was object of our desire.
It is interesting to note that the audience seem to be listening to the music more than just screaming away, as often was the case. The audio recording from Madrid excludes most of the audience but there are film clips from Madrid and Barcelona, and most people seem to be enjoying the show without going bananas.
And what a great swinging performance of Everybody´s trying to be my baby! Pity most of it is not on film.
I was 14. Remember the event in detail to this day. Afterwards the US embassy held a private reception and met all of the Beatles-crazy!!