The Beatles Bible

The Beatles Bible
The Beatles Bible
  • Share this page:
  • Share
  • Home
  • History
  • Songs
  • Albums
  • Discography
  • People
  • Features
  • Books
  • Map
  • Gallery
  • Fab forum
  • Store
  • Subscribe:
  • RSS icon RSS
  • Email envelope icon Email
  • Twitter icon Twitter
  • Facebook icon Facebook
iTunes & App Store
Home > Beatles diary > Live > Live: Milwaukee Arena, Wisconsin

Live: Milwaukee Arena, Wisconsin

9.00pm, Friday 4 September 1964 (47 years ago)

The Beatles performed a single show at this venue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA - their only such performance in the state.

The Beatles' aeroplane landed at the National Guard headquarters on the east side of Mitchell Field, away from the crowd. They were taken by limousine through a back exit, leaving behind hundreds of disappointed fans. They were driven to the Coach House Motor Inn.

The police told us we couldn't go past. It's mean not to let 'em have a wave. It's a lousy deal, a dirty trick.
Paul McCartney

At the hotel a press conference was held; John Lennon was suffering from a sore throat so didn't take part.

Tickets cost between $3.50 and $5.50, and had gone on sale in April 1964. Within a week all 12,000 had sold out. Also on the bill were The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence 'Frogman' Henry, and Jackie DeShannon.

Security was tight around the arena, as the Milwaukee authorities feared the effects of Beatlemania. The Beatles arrived in the city by aeroplane in the afternoon, and were met by around 700 fans. Fifty police officers and 30 county deputies had difficulty restraining the fans, despite makeshift fences being erected, and officers with fire hoses stood by. At one point around 100 fans broke through the cordon and rushed towards an approaching plane.

During the show the Red Cross posted 18 people around the venue, armed with ammonia and other inhalants, and treated at least 10 fainting girls. The Beatles performed their usual 30-minute set, arriving on stage shortly after 9pm.

After the show fans the Coach House Motor Inn, on West Wisconsin Avenue and 19th Street. Some fans stood in front of the building all night, but were mostly well behaved. Inside the group ate dinner and were given antibiotic shots to alleviate their colds.

The next morning fans invaded their suite and took all available mementos of The Beatles' stay.

  • Share this page:
  • Share
« Previous post: Live: State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis
Next post: Live: International Amphitheatre, Chicago »
Also on this day...

  • 1968: Filming: Hey Jude, Revolution
  • 1963: Live: Gaumont Cinema, Worcester
  • 1962: Recording: How Do You Do It, Love Me Do
  • 1960: Live: Indra Club, Hamburg

Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

Related articles:

  • Live: Civic Center, Baltimore
  • Live: International Amphitheatre, Chicago
  • Live: Civic Arena, Pittsburgh
  • Live: Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Live: Gator Bowl, Jacksonville

Filed under: Live

Leave a reply

Please note that there may be a delay before comments can be approved for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and/or content. Comments not in the English language may be discarded, and offensive, irrelevant or spam ones will be ignored. For more information please read the full comments policy.
Click here to cancel reply.


  • Latest posts

    • Paul McCartney's star unveiled on Hollywood Walk of Fame
    • Paul McCartney to headline Queen's diamond jubilee concert
    • US album release: Kisses On The Bottom by Paul McCartney
    • UK album release: Kisses On The Bottom by Paul McCartney
    • Abbey Road to offer studio time to wealthy hotel guests
    • US publishing rights for six early Beatles songs are sold
    • Paul McCartney live at Echo Arena, Liverpool
    • Paul McCartney live at Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
    • Paul McCartney live at Olimpiyskiy Arena, Moscow, Russia
    • Paul McCartney live at Hartwall Areena, Helsinki, Finland
  • On this day in Beatles history

    • 1966: John Lennon and Ringo Starr visit Scotch Of St James nightclub, London
    • 1964: Live: Carnegie Hall, New York City
    • 1963: Live: Astoria Ballroom, Oldham

    Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.

  • Twitter updates

  • Things we said today

    • Lars-Olof Ström on Let It Be... Naked
    • Christopher Hight on Revolution 9
    • Tubescreamer on All My Loving
    • Christopher Hight on I Want You (She's So Heavy)
    • Christopher Hight on Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite!
  • From the forum

    • Miscellaneous/unidentified in Beatles pics
      By cool.story.mum., 28 minutes ago
    • Beatley Moments in Yesterday... and today
      By mr. Sun king coming together, 2 hours ago
    • The "Incredibly Impossible to Derail This Thread" thread in All together now
      By meanmistermustard, 3 hours ago
    • The Abbey Road Medley in The albums
      By robert, 4 hours ago
    • Did John have any disorders? in John Lennon
      By The Strawberry, 20 hours ago
  • In the gallery

    Magical Mystery Tour album cover artwork Apple Boutique Por Siempre Beatles compilation (Argentina) The Beatles at Tittenhurst Park, 22 August 1969
  • Translator

  • Beatles for sale

  • Top Ten Club

    • Fab forum
    • The Beatles' songs
    • Beatles photo gallery
    • The Beatles and drugs
    • The Beatles' albums
    • The Abbey Road cover photography session
    • Kisses On The Bottom
    • Days in the life: The Beatles' history
    • John Lennon and Yoko Ono record Two Virgins
    • Beatles discography
  • Can buy me love

    The Beatles Bible is run for the love of anything and everything to do with The Beatles. If you've learned something new about the band and wish to show your appreciation, why not make a small donation via PayPal? It'll help with server costs, Beatles books etc...
  • Thinking of linking

    • thebeatles.com
    • johnlennon.com
    • paulmccartney.com
    • twitter.com/paulmccartney
    • paulmccartneyofficial.tumblr.com
    • georgeharrison.com
    • twitter.com/GeorgeHarrison
    • ringostarr.com
    • applerecords.com
      Beatles Bible logo by Yer Logos/The Beatles In 3D
  • Come together

    This site is in no way associated with or endorsed by The Beatles, Apple Corps Ltd, associated organisations or any members of The Beatles or their representatives. It is intended as a tribute to the greatest group of all time, to try - in a small way - to help introduce their music to new generations of fans.

© 2008-2012 The Beatles Bible. All rights reserved. | Contact us | About this site | Privacy policy | Words of love: 1,111,140

Top of page

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.