50th Blog

Elizabethan Ballroom, Co-Operative House

Parliament St. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

An inspirational idea from Brian Epstein, a one-night stand featuring his fast growing array of artists, all beginning to enjoy great success. The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Big Three, and Bill J. Kramer with the Dakotas all appeared, as well as the Cavern Club compete Bob Wooler. On this occasion the entire entourage traveled down from Liverpool on two coaches run by NEMS Enterprises, joined by 80 fans who paid an all-in fare of of 25 shillings (1.25 pd).

This was the first of six such engagements over the following three months, concluding on June 16th. It became known as the "Mersey Beat Showcase" tour.

Playhouse Theater, Manchester

A return trip to the Playhouse in Manchester for the Beatles 5th and final appearance on the BBC Light Program radio show "Here we go", produced by Peter Pilbeam, the man who had auditioned and broadcast the group before they had an EMI recording contract. After a 4:00 pm rehearsal, the group took part in the recording from 8:00 to 8:45, performing "I saw her standing there", "Misery", "Do you want to know a secret" and "Please please me", although "I saw her standing there" was edited out of the broadcast tape, transmitted from 5:00 to 5:29pm on Tuesday, March 12th.

Studio Two, EMI Studios, London

Five days after writing on the Helen Shapiro coach, the Beatles recorded "From me to you" this day at EMI. It began the session at the B-side of their 3rd single, during the session, however, it was promoted to premier status over the previously preferred "Thank you Girl", also taped this day (under the working title, "Thank you little girl) which became the new B-side. The Beatles worked in Studio two between 2:30-9:00pm - although the session had been booked for 2:30-5:30 and 7:00-10:00 - recording 13 takes of "From me to you" and the same number of "Thank you girl". The single was issued by EMI on Thursday, April 11th.

With some studio time remaining, the Beatles recorded two more Lennon-McCartney titles, "The one after 909" and "What goes on", although in the end, it was possible only to tape the former. Five takes were recorded but the result was deemed unsatisfactory and this version remains unissued. The Beatles returned to the song during the "Get Back" sessions (1969) hence it's inclusion on the album, 'Let it be', and they returned to "What goes on" for "Rubber Soul" (1965)

The Beatles first 100 pound booking at the Plaza Ballroom, St. Helens

Gaumont Cinema, Piccadilly, Hanley, Staffordshire

The final night of the Helen Shapiro package tour. By this time, the Beatles had been elevated on the bill from playing the first spot to the final act in the first half.

City Hall, Barker's Pool, Sheffield, Yorkshire and then Studio One, Didsbury Studio Centre, Parrs Wood Rd. Manchester, Lancashire

After finishing the 2nd Shapiro "House" at Sheffield, the Beatles drove 38 miles to Manchester, to appear live on the ABC TV news magazine program ABC At Large, boradcast in the Midlands and north regions only from the company's Didsbury Studio Centre between 11:00 and 11:50pm.

Together with Brian Epstein, they participated in a lengthy interview with David Hamilton (later a top radio DJ) answering questions about their sudden fame and pondering why they had succeeded where hundreds of other groups, from Liverpool to elsewhere, had not done so.

The feature also included interviews with pop fans and an appearance by Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers. The Beatles did not perform music on this program, although a brief clip of a mimed "Please please me" from their most recent appearance on ABC'S "Thank your lucky stars" (taped February 17) was shown again.

The Beatles at the Odeon Cinema, Lord St. Southport, Lancashire

Granada Cinema, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

While traveling this day between York and Shrewsbury, on the coach containing the entire Shapiro entourage, John and Paul wrote the Beatles' next single "From me to you". On this date, Helen Shapiro resumed her role as headliner, and Billie Davis left the tour.

The Beatles at the Rialto Theatre, Fishergate, York, Yorkshire - Helen Shapiro bowing out to do illness.

Gaumont Cinema, Corporation St. Taunton, Somerset

Back to the package tour. in the terrible winter weather, Helen Shapiro came down with a cold and was forced to miss this date. Danny Williams assumed top-of-the-bill status and Billie Davis, currently charting with "Tell Him", was drafted in to pad out the line-up.