The Beatles gave two performances at the Cow Palace in San Francisco on this day. It was the 10th and final stop on their 1965 tour of North America.
The group had previously performed at the venue on 19 August 1964, the first date of their first US tour. This time they gave a matinee and evening performance, with tickets priced at $4, $5.50 and $7.
The day’s first show was seen by 11,700 people, and the second by 17,000. The other acts on the bill were, in order of appearance, King Curtis Band, Sounds Incorporated and the Discotheque Dancers, Brenda Holloway, and Cannibal & The Headhunters.
A press conference was held at Cow Palace between the matinee and evening concerts. The Beatles were also visited backstage by Johnny Cash and Joan Baez.
The Beatles performed their standard set of 12 songs at the concerts: the shorter version of ‘Twist And Shout’, followed by ‘She’s A Woman’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’, ‘Ticket To Ride’, ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby’s In Black’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Help!’, and ‘I’m Down’.
During the second show a group of fans broke through the barriers and rushed the stage. The Beatles were forced to wait backstage while order was restored.
Also on this day...
- 2019: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Marymoor Amphitheatre, Redmond
- 2001: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Concord Pavilion, Concord
- 1969: Lennon, Harrison and Starr watch Bob Dylan perform at the Isle of Wight Festival
- 1967: The Beatles issue a statement on NEMS Enterprises
- 1964: Day off in Cape May, New Jersey
- 1963: The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Southport
- 1962: The Beatles live: Town Hall, Lydney
- 1961: The Beatles live: St John’s Hall, Liverpool
- 1960: The Beatles live: Indra Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I am thinking this is the concert that was described in eloquent psychedelic detail in The Electric Kool Aid Acid Test.
What a month. Help! comes out. Go to USA. Play Shea in NY, Mellotron Delivered to Kenwood, Tripping Balls in Los Angeles, Meet Elvis, 2 nights at the Hollywood Bowl and then this show at the Cow Palace attended by the Merry Pranksters and immortalized by Tom Wolfe.
I’ m sure Paul didn´t particularly enjoy being physically dragged around by some stage invader.
I was there for the afternoon show. Won two tickets on KYA. I was only 12 and was shocked by all the noise and craziness.
I was there too Ray. Dad won us 4 tickets on KYA. I was 12 also. Went with my brother, mother, and cousin.
I won my tickets from KYA also and was 12!
I was there also, I was 17 years old. I bought the tickets from a friend who didn’t want to go ( stupid ). I recall the righteous brothers opening for them. It was very, very loud?!!
I went to the August 31, 1965 Cow Palace evening concert. I was only 14 and it was my first ever rock concert. My anticipation was through the roof. I was going to see THE BEATLES!! It was SO EXCITING! I could barely hear them above the din of screaming fans because they only had a few Vox amplifiers to fill the arena. The had I stood on my chair and screamed like a girl (and everyone else.) The set was short, about 20 minutes of songs, interrupted by hysterical girls climbing onto the stage and wrapping themselves around their favorite Beatle until security would drag them off. During Ticket to Ride hysteria approached pandemonium as many girls charged the stage at once and the concert was halted while the Beatles left the stage. After all the Help album was number 1 on the charts. They eventually returned and finished the concert. I still have the program book.
I was also there. I was also 14. I was terrified of all the screaming girls and my friends and I moved back so we wouldn’t get crucjed by them as they heaved their way closer to the stage. But it was very exciting to see them play!
My Aunt said she would pay for the tickets but I was only 11 and no one would take me. My Dad drove me by the Cow Palace which was only a few miles from my Aunts home.
i was 12 my dad drive me from fremont i was one if the screaming girls in front if the stage list my shoes and my glasses that day wasnt sure i would make it iut of the crush and still remember thebewildered look on pauls face like wtf?
Photo was my father in law Fred Pardini.
I was there too! 8/31/1965~Tuesday afternoon performance. I was a huge Beatles fan and a lady who I worked with said her son won tickets but she didn’t want to take him. I offered and we beside myself ~~ I still have my ticket stub inside my high school wallet. What an experience but all the screaming made me so annoyed as you couldn’t hear the Beatles singing any of their songs. Grateful though.!
I saw the Beatles at the Cow Palace on August 31, 1965 for the evening show. There was so much screaming that I couldn’t hear a thing. The seats were assigned, but once they came on stage and started performing hundreds of people rushed to the stage. It was a crazy night!
I saw the Beatles at the Cow Palace, August 19, 1964. I was only in 4th grade and my parents had to bring me. Poor them it was their wedding anniversary but they were sports. We had tickets in row 15 I think, but it was so crazy that my dad was scared for me so he put me on his back so I could see, there were no rows, just chaos! The screaming was loud. We left as soon as the Beatles were done because my mom had a head ache. Luckily because when going back to our car the Beatles drove passed in a limousine and I was close and some them thru the window!
I was there with my Mom, sister, and sister in law who had a car and drove..I was 12…all I could really clearly hear was my sister yelling John in my ear!!..very exciting though!..girls busting through whatever screen and knocking into Ringo his riser!…still have the ticket stubs..learned to play guitar soon after as well..played in bands ever since!!!…definitely Coming of Age!!