The final show saw perhaps a slightly more energetic performance than usual from The Beatles, and was longer than their usual 20-25 minute duration. They barely paused between songs, although their on-stage patter was notably looser and less scripted than normal.
Although I didn’t fancy my chances of making a brilliant recording of the concert, one thing in my favour was the great distance between the stage and the stands at this particular venue. Because of this, I guessed I might be able to capture sound from the stage without picking up too much of the non-stop screams and shouts of the fans coming from the stands. The fact that it was an open-air gig also helped. In an enclosed auditorium it would have been impossible to pick up the sound of the music without picking up too much crowd noise.When the last of the supporting acts came off stage I went out on the field ahead of the boys. When John, Paul, George and Ringo ran out across the grass a roar of approval went up from the stands and, as they did a quickie tune-up on stage, each chord they played caused a further roar.
One of the US deejays in our travelling party, who I had prevented from recording an earlier concert on the tour, saw me holding my mike up in the air and mimicked my words of warning back to me: ‘On Brian Epstein’s orders there must be no recording of the performances. Please turn off.’ With a finger to my lips, I indicated to him to shut up, I didn’t want extraneous voices on my ‘official’ concert recording.
Up on stage one of the boys yelled ‘Hello’ to test his voice mike and in another moment the group tore into Chuck Berry’s ‘Rock And Roll Music’.
John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me
Particularly revealing are McCartney’s comments before ‘Paperback Writer’, during which he questions the group’s future; and ‘Long Tall Sally’, which may have carried a veiled reference to the withdrawn ‘butcher’ artwork for Yesterday… And Today.
Thank you! Thank you very much everybody, and hello, good evening. We’d like to carry on with a song, not surprisingly, by, er, written by George. And this song was on our Rubber Soul LP. And the song is called ‘If I Needed, er, Someone’!
Thank you everybody, thank you. We’d like to carry on now, er, carry on together, at will – one together and all for one – with another number that used to be a single record back in, er… long time ago. And this one’s about the naughty lady called ‘Day Tripper’!
Thank you! Thank you. We’d like to carry on with something that’s very old indeed. And this one was recorded in about 1959, and it’s called ‘I Feel Fine’.
Like to carry on with a song from Yesterday… And Today. And this was a single as well. And it features Paul singing a very nice song called ‘Yesterday’.
Thank you very much everybody. Thank you. And it’s, er, it’s a bit chilly. We’d like to do the next number now which is a special request, for all the wonderful backroom boys on this tour. And the song is ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, and to sing it, Ringo!
Thank you Ringo. Lovely working with you, Ringo. We’d like to do another song now from our BBC [sic] album. And this ones called “He’s a real ‘Nowhere Man’, sitting in his nowhere land”. Oh yeah!
We’d like to carry on, I think. We’re not really sure yet. I’d like to carry on, certainly. Definitely. Well, shall we just watch this for a bit? Just watch it. The next song is called ‘Paperback Writer’.
Thank you very much everybody. Everybody, wonderful. Frisco, butchered. We’d like to say that, erm, it’s been wonderful being here, in this wonderful sea air. Sorry about the weather. And we’d like to ask you to join in and, er, clap, sing, talk, do anything. Anyway, the song is… good night.
Just before leaving the stage, John Lennon teasingly played the opening bars of ‘In My Life’, before running off to join the rest of the group backstage.
The Beatles were quickly taken to the airport in an armoured car. They flew from San Francisco to Los Angeles, arriving at 12.50am. During the flight George Harrison was heard to exclaim: “That’s it, then. I’m not a Beatle anymore.”
Also on this day...
- 2019: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Paramount Theatre, Oakland
- 2013: Paul McCartney announces New song and album
- 2008: Sam Taylor-Wood to direct Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline
- 1998: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Salle Des Etoiles, Monte Carlo
- 1989: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Cal Expo Amphitheatre, Sacramento
- 1968: Recording: Dear Prudence
- 1965: The Beatles live: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
- 1964: The Beatles live: Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York
- 1963: The Beatles live: Odeon Cinema, Southport
- 1963: Television: The Mersey Sound
- 1962: The Beatles live: Floral Hall Ballroom, Morecambe
- 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.
These days alot of old bands like to proclaim their “Farewell Tour” to the public in hopes of garnishing much higher ticket sales. Often it’s been very effective but the fans caught on when many times the bands ended up playing two, three, or even more so called “final tours”.
That said, can you imagine how packed the arenas and stadiums would have been in 1966 if The Beatles had made an announcement that it was their final tour? Ticket scalpers would have had a field day!
Art Nelson was the emcee at Candlestick Park with all the jelly beans thrown. DJ from KEWB.
It was Jelly Babies actually…And they happened at many concerts after George mentioned he liked them to a reporter
That was in the UK. There were no Jelly Babies in the US, so they threw jelly beans instead.
I am lucky to have seen The Beatles @ Candlestick Park on Aug. 29, 1966. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! I was also sitting way back behind 3rd base, way far from the stage. We had to use binoculars to see The Beatles faces. And I remember Gene Nelson from KYA in San Francisco. But Candlestick Park is not really in SF, it’s actually in Daly City. I had an aunt and uncle who lived right behind Candlestick Park. Not too far from downtown SF. I also remember that it was very noisy and we had a hard time hearing The Beatles play because of all the screaming fans and all the yelling. I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. And those young girls crying for their idols was so hilarious. I’ve never seen anything quite like that ever. The sound systems at time were not very good at all then, as they are way better today. Every sound seemed so distorted. They could play as loud as they wanted, but it was not that great. I am pretty sure that’s why they stopped touring, because what’s the point if your own fans can’t hear you? I couldn’t believe that I was there and I got to experience seeing and hearing The Beatles forever. I also remember that Bobby Head (Sunny) also performed, as did The Shirells, The Cyrcle (Red Rubber Ball), and I think The 13th Floor Elevator (Resurrection Shuffle). My how time flies. And eat your heart out. I am also going to the 50th Beatles Reunion @ The Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 23rd. How lucky am I? I also snagged 2 Beatles posters when they came out with The Beatles Guitar Hero in 2009. Since their breakup I did go and see Beatlemania a few times @ different locations over the years. It is something not to be missed if you really want to go back in time and relive those moments. Beatles forever, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Oh, and a few years ago I was fortunate enough to meet George Harrison’s sister Geogegette. She was promoting The Beatles as well, very lovely lady.
That was The Beatles Rock Band, not Guitar Hero. 🙂
Rosie this is great! I am writing on this 50th anniv of the candlestick concert…Loved what you wrote! How exciting to attend that reunion…I appreciate this as I was there, still have my original concert ticket. I was one of the few not screaming or crying, tho i was very much a Beatlemaniac! 🙂 It was so loud, the audience–and the great band was more the size of beetles to me… plus whether their sound wasl “fab” or not who could say? They sounded like a bad old record player to me.. :)couldn’t even see their faces and my friends hogged the binoculars. I recall how we dressed , just so “mod”[go go boots, miniskirt, “poorboy” ribbed tops and JL [john lennon] caps– and I was so thrilled ,even tho the actual concert was such a disappointment due to the frenetic fans–I am so happy to have been a part of it. The highlight of my early teen yrs, for sure. BTW, the Beatlesbible.com, is correct the tickets were that “cheap”.. I only had to babysit two nites to earn my $5.50ticket!I was in front of the band almost directly but yet so so far, huh…
[Back then a beatles album with 11 -12 songs or so, sold for well under $3.] Take care. I hope you and others read this tonite.. it’s such a memorable day for many of us.
Rosie, George is my favorite Beatle. How lucky you were to meet his sister. I didnt think her name was Georgette..no matter that is the best!!Take care!
Hey Tea, i am still in Ca. But closer to Los Angeles now. In August i did attend a Beatles Tribute Band Concert. Had my picture taken in front of the group dressed as The Beatles from Sgt. Pepper era. Closest i could get to my favorite band. Reliving my teen years and even Neil Diamond Tribute and The Beach Boys Tribute Band. All and all the 60′ was.and always will be the greatest time to be a teenager. A lot of the concerts were actually free sponsored by our local politicians. The concert series started in March of last year and ended last September. Did you happen to see the Beatles new video The Touring Years? I loved your story honestly and glad you can relate.
Oh, forgot to mention…last year on July 7th, i went to Capitol Records in Hollywood to celebrate Ringo’s birthday. I got to see him up close and took some pictures. Don’t get jealous ok. I may go next year if they do it again.
Candlestick Park was in the city limits of San Francisco. Candlestick Park is about 5 miles south of downtown. The Cow Palace where the Beatles preformed during their ’64 & ’65 tours is in Daly City just over the county line. KYA radio was giving away free tickets wich is how I went to the show.
Sorry but Candlestick Park was in the City & County of San Francisco – not Daly City – not Brisbane!
(I also won free tickets from KYA to the show)
I was 9 years old and in love with their music. My Dad took me to this concert.I could barely hear them above the screaming ninnies. Still it was an exciting evening I’ll never forget.
Some video with audio of the last Candlestick Park Concert 8/29/66
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdnVPY71gpI&ab_channel=AdamBound
here is the entire concert audio only
There is a comment by George above saying they took pictures. Has anyone seen any picture from this concert? I have only one.Thank you to Happy Nat for providing that Day Tripper clip.
They did bring their own cameras to document the end of 4 years of gruelling world tours and everything else. You can see published pics of them taking the stage snapping away. HOWEVER!!!!! If there is ONE picture I want to see, they had their roadie Mal Evans take THE final picture and I can’t find it anywhere. I HAS to be a personal shot that they kept for themselves…… They all 4 went to the front of the stage and turned their backs to the audience and “pop”. I’d LOVE to see that. It’s also cool that before the final song, Paul did his “it’s time to go to bed” speech then suddenly got nastalgic about it all. Instead of jumping into I’m Down”, which was their closer the last 2 years, he hit a G note on the ol’ Hofner and slammed into Long Tall Sally, their big show stopper from their Hamburg days…….”One more time for just us there, lads?!!”
I am looking for the very same pic… I want one BAD. I’ve seen it in documentaries but can’t find one publicly. If you find one lemme know!!!
A small correction: Emperor Gene Nelson, who emceed the concert, was morning disc jockey at 1260 KYA. There was no such station as KSFQ-FM.
Super Harlow
1260 KYA Radio
San Francisco, Calif.
So sad such poor attendence… if they only knew …three years later came the impromptu concert on top of the Apple office in London it was the last time the Beatles played in public. Soooooo sad (sigh). I dream of what could have been. Would it have changed the outcome for John. I was too young to ever see them and for this I’m jealous and sad…the rebel Rolling Stones almost broke too thank god their still going strong drawing huge crowds of all ages to their concert imagine nearly fifty years. That could have been the Beatles too such a shame…
Hi do you no if there are any copies of THE BEATLES LIVE AT CANDLESTICK PARK 1966, ive been told there are some and would love to get one for my husband also what sort of price would it be.
many thanks June
It’s never been released officially, but it’s widely available on bootleg. Try torrent sites. Don’t pay for it.
Yes, there is. Google it and you should find it.i think it sells for about $40.00.
Correction.1260 is an AM frequency, not an FM frequency. It was KYA 1260 AM, not FM.
I’ve listened closely to Paul’s introduction to Long Tall Sally and I think there’s an important part you’ve left out (although you and others may not hear what I hear):
“…And we’d like to ask you to join in and, er, clap, sing, talk, in fact, go home, no, do anything. Anyway, the song is… good night.”
Yep – I think they’re so fed up he even says, a little off mic, “in fact, go home”. The remarks from the stage in this show really show where they were at at this time. Just sick of the screaming and pointlessness of live performing when no one even listened.
I took my wife of 43 years to this concert on our first date. I remember they wore kelly green suits and white socks, which was not cool in those days. You really couldn’t hear them through all the screaming. It also seemed to me that they ended early, maybe fed up with everything. I didn’t realize till the late 90’s that it was their last performance.
WHERE WHERE WHERE can I find a pic of the beatles with their backs to the crowd they took onstage???? I’ve seen them in documentaries but can find a single pic online! HELP!!
One Of Johns Pictures from Candlestick Park. https://pinterest.com/pin/96405248245372354/
I’ve got a good one for you…My brother and his best friend, an ammature photographer, took pictures from the field.He was the bat boy for the giants and his dad was employed by them. My brother just gave one to my best friend who went to that show for his birthday. I didn’t go as I knew there would be all that screaming…Ooops! All 4 are in this one. As far as I know these are the only photos ever taken from the field. Photographers and the press were not allowed down there. I wonder if they have any value? I’d post it but I promised I wouldn’t without his OK. Sorry.
It depends how good the photos are, but yes, they’ll be worth money. The best thing to do is take them to an auction house that does regular rock and pop memorabilia sales, and get one of their experts to provide a valuation. Sotheby’s, Bonhams or one of the other big names will be interested (assuming your brother’s friend wants to sell, of course).
And how lucky he was! I’d love to see the pics.
Hi Mark, whay could they say about them?. Did they really seems to be ready for stop touring?
Could you send me a copy of your Photo? Please tell me the name of your brother, so I can say this Picture is from ” “. Blessings.
Hi–were they anything like these?
I have a 24″x36″, blue background poster of the event. Ringo and drums top left, George top right, both 10″x10″. Below, Paul on left, John on right, 15″x21″ inset…all photos black and white. At bottom, in large yellow print, “THE BEATLES”. Under that, in slightly smaller pink letters, “Last Concert August 29, 1966 San Francisco.” At bottom right corner, “BTL054” and “Litho in USA”. Anyone else ever seen this poster…any idea of worth?
I just found beatlesbible.com while searching value of Poster for the Beatles’ Last concert –San Francisco, Calif, Aug 29, 1966: I was surprised that it was not valued as high as I thought it would be…$ 55.46 Ebay 2017
I did a new search and found this..NOT surprised.
https://auction.sixtiesposters.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=2943625
I love reading about this concert.
I was there at Candlestick for the last concert, having of course no idea it would be the last one; I had previously seen the Beatles at Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and at the Cow Palace in San Francisco (twice) in 1965. The Candlestick Park concert by by far not on par with the previous ones I had attended. The Beatles were so far away, behind a wire fence, so I could barely see them from the grandstand, and couldn’t hear them either because of all the screaming! And it was cold as ice out there, the wind blowing. Alas I’m glad I was there!
Do you remember Lennon playing the opening chords for “In My Life”… Man I wished that was on tape, the never played that song live. I’m always hoping sometime during abbey road recordings they played that song one time
I’m with you always wanted to hear that. Apparently Paul did his best Little Richard yell ever during that Sally and of course the tape cuts out ?
It’s weird that Ringo (supposedly) said that about John, when it was GEORGE who said he’d had enough. He hated flying and they almost got killed when an engine caught fire on one flight during that tour. He said, “After this gig, I’m no longer a Beatle”…and that at least got the all thinking about it for sure.
On the one hand, one can be surprised that the final Beatle concert did not sell-out…on the other hand, consider lousy weather, crummy sound system, and the Fab Four performing an 11 song set, I’d say those not attending did not miss much, outside of the historic significance.
The low attendance was due to John Lennon’s stupidity remark he made recently about Jesus. A lot of people were not too thrilled about that. Had nothing to do with the weather, no idea how horrible the sound system would be prior to going.
Seems hard to believe that a Beatles concert couldn’t come close to a sell-out, no matter how bad the venue is. Was the promoter (Tempo Productions) a minor company? Or was the concert not promoted well enough in advance to allow for more tickets to be sold? Imagine if Bill Graham had promoted The Beatles. A concert like that would’ve sold out very quickly!
I was 9 years old and my father took me and my little brother to see them…this was their last live show until Abby Road on the roof…I remember two things…girls screaming and jelly beans everywhere…i believe I even saw girls underwear flying around…I asked my father why he was taking us…there wasn’t much money so I knew this was something special..
He told ,me and .brother….This will be the only chance we’ll have to see them together. Things are getting crazy I don’t think they will tour anymore.
Vietnam was starting to get big and civil right protests were abound…pretty perceptive the old guy was…
I knew we were seeing something really special just didn’t know how special it was…even though we could barely hear over the girls screaming….
John and George Thank you and RIP you left us way too soon…
Paul and Ringo Keep on rockin’ in the free world!!!!
Thank you for sharing your lives with us a providing so many happy memories and times!!!
I was at that concert. Didn’t realize how important it was. I was in the Navy stationed at Alameda Naval Air Station. Through special services we got our tickets FREE. Does anyone else remember that when they left the stage they went into an armored car? I can still picture them on stage. What a fabulous memory.
Yes, because of all the crazy fans grabbing at them like in a Hard Day’s Night. Sometimes people really act like animals. And you know what? The Beatles are just people.
I co emceed that final concert with Gene….neither of us had any idea it would be their last. What a night in musical history and a night none of us will ever forget
I was there too Johnny—you were known as the Baron of the Bay as I remember—and I still have my $6.50 ticket, beaten up as it is. I also remember you on either Shindig or Hullabaloo. Long time ago…
P.S. someone mentioned the rival radio station. It was KFRC AM 610. KYA had an FM station as well, KOYT, but the frequency I do not remember. What I do remember is that it was on KOYT that I heard “Strawberry Fields Forever” for the first time.
Hi John S. After a little research, it seems that KEWB used the Top 40 format up until 1966 when it was sold. KFRC began using that format in 1966. It’s odd that KEWB gave it up at the height of the Beatles fame. They must have been offered a deal they couldn’t refuse. Oddly, I couldn’t find a lot of information on the history of KYA at that time but we all know how popular it was.
KEWB had been sold by Crowell-Collier Broadcasting to Metromedia and the new owners wanted to change the format. As KEWB changed to KNEW, KFRC began their run at Rock and Roll in the Bay Area.
I was 10, My aunt and uncle was leaving for London, mom and dad said my brother and I where going to the airport to say good by, Did not want to go but this is my story, Arrived there to see all these girls screaming, we where following our parents to an area of the airport that was under construction, all first class passengers where there, My aunt and uncle and yes George, Paul, John and Ringo, I wonder if they remember me or even this requirement due to the crowded airport, yes I was the last to see this group together in this country. P.S. Uncle and aunt said they where 4 of the rudest b******s they ever met. (Remember they spent the flight time between states and London together, They where Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hickey) Should would like to shake Paul’s hand as the last to say good by in 1966. Back then the older people didn’t like long hair or load music, and 4 young men who had fame felt they could say and do anything of course, FAME and YOUTH, even today, can cause trouble along with lack of respect for others, as we have seen. P.S. Broke my first ankle wearing Beatle Boots…….Remember……..
I was at that concert too – 11 years old. My father took me and my friend (who got lost in the crowd!) I remember the roar of the crowd, the excitement, the anticipation, wondering when the Beatles were going to come out on the field, and the decoy car that drove around and around on the field–everyone thought the Beatles were going to jump out of the car, and of course they didn’t. The screaming was so loud we couldn’t hear a thing but it didn’t matter. I was madly in love with George at that time. Even seeing the band from a distance was thrilling. I’ll always love my dad for taking me to that concert.
I was there. Fifteen years old…on my first date with a girl named Cheri. My Parents drove us. I still have the ticket stub & the memories. I even stole a kiss off my date.
Years later in 1969, I was in London & made my way to EMI Studios where The Beatles recorded….right on the blvd. Abbey Road. I ended up meeting Paul, George,Ringo & their producer George Martin. I was eighteen… and have to admit…quite a thrill. I remember where I was & the exact moment when I heard The Beatles from a little hand held transistor radio for the first time.
Very cool. Did you meet them in the summer? That’s when they were recording “Abbey Road”.
You are thinking of the Cow Palace as being in Daly City, which it is. Candlestick Park/Point is within the Bayview District of the City of San Francisco.
Yes, you are absolutely right. I vuess as we get older we tend to forget. I loved the Cow Palace too, saw serveral groups there too. The Monkees, The Cowsills, The Association, and Spanky and Our Gang. What a time it was.
Read recently that the playlist for ’66 Tour didn’t include any songs from the 2 latest LPs (Revolver, Rubber Soul), being so studio- production oriented, versus the lame concert venue PA systems of the time. Not to mention audience expectations being 3-4 years behind the reality of the Beatle’s (& George Martin / Geoff Emerick’s) creative arc.
They did play if I needed someone and Nowhere man, both from Rubber Soul. No song from Revolver was ever performed live by The Beatles.
If I Needed Someone and Nowhere Man were both on the UK version of Rubber Soul, but not on the US version. In the US both of these songs appeared on the Yesterday and Today album.
According to this article there was a reason only 25,000 of the 42,500 seats were filled. I’m not sure I’ve read this before but, according to Raechel Donahue (wife of the late KYA DJ Tom Donahue, who co-managed Tempo Productions), the City of San Francisco’s Parks and Recreation Department only licensed the show for 25,000 tickets, not allowing any tickets for the bleachers to be sold.
Provided her memory is right, despite the thousands of empty seats, every ticket was sold.
I wonder whether this explains some of the seemingly low attendances at some of 1966 US shows, that local authorities were limiting how many thousands of screaming girls they wanted to cope with?
I was there that foggy night. What a thrill !!! I’m 62 now so must have been 13 or 14 at the time, Frankie D. and I rode the bus from Sacramento and took a cab to the concert. You couldn’t hear anything but girls screaming….
I was lucky to have a good seat stage right with my two best friends (who are BTW still so) We could see thier facial expressions clearly. The most amazing memory I have is that when Paul sang Yesterday there were only two girls screaming in the intire stadium. We could actually HEAR the music!
I saw them earlier on the same tour, at Shea Stadium (excuse me, at Che Stadium) in NYC. Yes, the screaming girls…and boys. The Ronettes (not the Shirelles) could have headlined in New York. The Cyrkle began with the intro of “Red Rubber Ball” but turned it into their followup song, “Turn Down Day.” Of course I had no idea that it was the Beatles’ final tour. I was impressed that they attempted to tune their guitars between songs. And that they did their current single, “Paperback Writer,” despite how complex the recorded harmonies were. It’s a night I will remember forever and ever. Thanks, my Fab friends. I still squee when “Please Please Me” comes on the radio!
Hey I stumbled onto this site by chance. To see if their were any interest and value to an old Suite Case full of Teen Magazines, News Paper Clippings, Published Photo’s etc.etc. From a Teen Collector back in the Day. I am truly Blown Away about how to date So Many People are still impacted by this Event.
I had a very close friend recently pass away that was at the Show. She took Very Detailed Notes and wrote a 40 page account off what took place thru her eyes. She had kept all items related to Event from Ticket Stub to the Hand Held AM Radio, Binoculars, etc. As a matter of fact I think she kept every News Article and Magazine ever produced about The Boys. My Friend went on to become a High School English Teacher for 28 years.(as well as other accomplishments ) I am wondering if their is an interest in all this paperwork or even possibly making into a short book for all to enjoy. She would have loved to be able to have shared her account and possibly impact a few people thru her eyes.
Rest in Piece my Friend !
Cheers,
hope you got some offers if pre 1967,; 40 page account would be way cool!
Not sure if you still have all the memorabilia or not, as it’s two years since you posted this. The description of your friend sounds just like me! I was another Beatlemaniac from the day they touched down in NYC in February of 1964. I collected everything there was to collect from newspaper articles, fan magazines, Beatles dolls and models, to tennis shoes and pencil cases. I saw them at the Cow Palace on August 31, 1965, and at Candlestick Park at the same concert your friend attended. I lost most all of my memorabilia in a fire back in 1972, and it still hurts to think about it. I’ve managed to purchase a few pieces of things over the years, but will never be able to replace everything I lost. Do you still have it? If so, I’m very interested in it. I’d treasure it just as much as your friend did.
I was 12 years old when my mom got tickets for me and my 14 year old brother to go see the Beatles at Candlestick. As soon as the Beatles came out everyone stood up which left me, and all other short people, at a disadvantage. There was a young lady in front of me, about 20 years old, who jumped and screamed for the whole show and she would occasionally turn and apologize to me. Finally a guy behind me grabbed me under the arm pits and hoisted me up so my feet were on the back of my seat. I could see the Beatles. It truly was a crazy day.
I was there at Candlestick Park on Monday, August 29, 1966 for both shows by the Beatles. I had also been at the two previous shows when the Beatles played the Cow Palace. I was on John’s side of the stage about 20-30 yards back and I could see and hear everything perfectly. What amazed me, besides the hysterics of it all, was the fact that all the house lights were on and you could look around and see everyone. It’s no wonder the people behind couldn’t hear anything except the screaming, but for myself, being up-close was a big help. (I also remember some guy who came from the audience from behind the stage who got onto the stage and stole John’s cap right off his head. What a despicable person!)
The set-up was quite different at Candlestick Park. Although they had a better PA than at the Cow Palace still they were quite far from the audience. It simply wasn’t possible for anyone in the audience to throw anything at them and hit their mark, they were too far away.
On Monday, May 30, 1966 Paperback Writer/Rain was released and as the musical arranger and one of the lead singers for the Syndicate of Sound we taped the songs that afternoon and learned how to play them both so I was quite familiar with the chord progressions, the harmonies, etc. That evening of May 30th we appeared with the Charlatans and the headliners ‘The Lovin’ Spoonful’ at the Greek Amphitheatre (UC Berkeley). We performed both Paperback Writer & Rain along with other songs, including our hit, ‘Little Girl’. When the Beatles played Paperback Writer on Aug. 29th they did not do the same three part harmony opening which they sang on the record. It was close but… I was shocked they did not do the identical version.
After the second show I drove over to the airport where their private plane was sitting on the tarmac and waved to them as they climbed the stairs, turned around and waved back at those of us who were lucky enough to be there to say good-bye. I feel extremely lucky to have been to four (4) live performances by the Beatles. It was an experience I shall never forget. Oh, and BTW, the Grateful Dead were in the audience at Candlestick Park too. John Sharkey 03152015
Hey, John; always loved your song “Little Girl”!!
Two shows? Was it not just one single show?
Is that John from Syndicate of Sound? You guys played at my Woodrow Wilson Junior High School graduation in June 64′ in San Jose. And you would be the drummer, and Ron Gonzalez was your bass player. I was lucky that i met him. Take care and God bless.
Does anyone know how many live performances did the Beatles do? I think it is about 580 since Ringo joined the group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZqmEnjvS2M Here’s the audio recoding of the concert.
Does anyone remember the armored car that they left in?
The white armored car from Loomis is clearly visible on some of the film clips. It is a company that usually transport money.
Ive heard there’s a loud fart at the end of If I needed someone,
I was there.on leave from the army before going off to do my duty. It was cold as hell and windy. The sound actually blew away with the wind. Didnt care. It was the Beatles! went to duty happy. saw McCartney at the final Candlestick performance and again last night at Sacramento. John was right,they were bigger than Jesus.
I’m still wondering if anyone remembers the armored car.
Eight years before the lads’ last public gig, on Aug.29,1958,George Harrison joined Paul and John in the Quarrymen-I think they became the Beatles in 1961.
bill graham show would had been more exciting ,tickets sold bad because people new they were not very good live , not elvis he always sold out much better live, they were over rated.
Looks like I’m a little late to this party, but I happened upon this page by accident. I was 16 at this concert in 1966. My friend Kathy and I actually jumped from the top deck when some drunk guys offered to catch us (they did!). We both made it onto the field, nearly to the stage. I remember being carried off by four security guards, one on each limb. I didn’t see myself in Ron Howard’s movie. I was lucky to see The Beatles six times.
The artwork on the Candlestick concert was done by Wes Wilson. A scrap of it appears in the Beatles Anthology collage mural.
Peculiar, the very last song ever performed at a concert with the Beatles is cut right in a middle of a scream.
Strange that they didn’t consider any proper recording if they knew that this was the last live performance, and that Brian Epstein still strictly prohibited any recording, as if he didn’t know.
I remember Emperor Gene Nelson and Johnny Holliday, growing up as a kid in the Bay Area back then. KYA had a rival station called KEWB, if I remember correctly, and when the Beatles had all the top spots on the pop chart they called themselves KEWBeatles. Back then the pop music was on AM radio but I remember some of the “alternative” rock music on FM. The first time I heard the Doors “Break on Through” and the Outlaws “Green Grass & High Tides Forever” was on one of those alternative stations, KSAN in San Francisco. All good but nothing tops the Beatles timeless music for me.
I also remember being at the Giants game In 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their last show. It wasn’t at Candlestick Park (which has since been demolished) but at what’s now called Oracle Park in downtown SF. Candlestick was a horrible place to play baseball (or have a Beatles concert) because of it’s location. Willie Mays would be the home run king if he played where they do now. But at that 50th anniversary game I was amazed at how many young kids knew the Beatles lyrics by heart! I’ve also seen that phenomenon at shows I’ve seen by the tribute band, The Fab Four. Goes to show how timeless their music is.
By the way Joe…I hope you got the donation I sent across the universe to you recently. It’s not much but I wanted to show my appreciation.
This event occurred 57 years ago today, eight days before my first high school day. After a mere 30 months+ atop the music world following their epic Feb.9,1964 Ed Sullivan Show appearance which bore Beatlemania,the lads (the eldest,Ringo,was 26,John was about six weeks from his 26th birthday,Paul 24 and George a mere 23) were fed-up with the music business (especially the “business” ; their manager,Brian Esptein,32,would succumb to a barbiturate overdose a year later,Aug.27,1967) and the professional and personal fissures which led to their Spring 1970 disbanding.
In a press release shortly before the Beatles’ final concert Brian Epstein mentioned a proposed third Shea Stadium concert to take place in 1967. After reading about their experiences touring in 1966 (not just the U.S. tour, but especially in the Philippines), we can only be grateful that the Beatles, even at the young age of the mid-20s, had the maturity to realize that the live concerts had to stop. Can you imagine what a ’67 tour would have been like, with the four of them hating every minute of it, security problems getting even worse, and still not able to play any of their recent material? If they couldn’t play anything from Revolver in ’66 they certainly couldn’t have played any of the Sgt. Pepper songs in ’67. And their decision to stop touring at the height of their popularity could not have been particularly easy, because there had to be considerable pressure on them to continue the live shows; a lot of people were still making money off of them.