On this day The Beatles embarked on the first date of their debut UK tour, at the Gaumont Cinema in Bradford, Yorkshire.
The Beatles were effectively at the bottom of a six-act bill, headlined by 16-year-old singer Helen Shapiro. The show opened with the Red Price Band, then The Honeys, compere Dave Allen, The Beatles, Dave Allen, and Danny Williams. After the interval the Red Price Band performed once more, followed by The Kestrels, Kenny Lynch and Helen Shapiro.
They performed just four songs: Chains, Keep Your Hands Off My Baby, A Taste Of Honey and Please Please Me.
Also on this day the Please Please Me single entered the Music Week chart at number 16.
Brian Epstein put us in suits and all that, and we made it very, very big. We sold out. The music was dead before we even went on the theatre tour of Britain. We were feeling shit already because we had to reduce an hour or two hours' play - and which we were glad in one way - to twenty minutes, and go on and repeat the same twenty minutes every night. The Beatles' music died then, as musicians. That's why we never improved as musicians. We killed ourselves then to make it - and that was the end of it. George and I are more inclined to say that. We always missed the club dates 'cause that's when we were playing music.
John Lennon
Lennon Remembers, Jann S Wenner
Lennon Remembers, Jann S Wenner
The Gaumont is now under threat of demolition despite The Beatles playing there again on John Lennon's 24th Birthday. This piece of Beatles history needs protecting for future generations to enjoy. Please join us in trying to prevent the demolition of this beautiful building. BORG - Bradford Odeon Rescue Group