Although The Quarrymen had performed at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre on three occasions (9 June 1957, and 18 and 26 October 1959), this was The Beatles’ first appearance at the prestigious venue.
The event was a NEMS Enterprises promotion, and featured eight acts performing in two separate concerts at 5.40pm and 8pm. They were headlined by Little Richard, and joining The Beatles as support acts were Craig Douglas (backed by The Beatles) former Shadows bassist Jet Harris and The Jetblacks, Kenny Lynch, The Breakaways and Sounds Incorporated. Brian Epstein had hoped to enlist soul singer Sam Cooke too as a surprise guest, but he was unavailable.
The Empire Theatre was an important venue for up-and-coming and established acts alike, and The Beatles’ appearance there signified to their local fanbase that they were becoming real contenders for success.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Ringo Starr live: Lyric Opera House, Baltimore
- 2014: Paul McCartney live: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
- 1996: Album release: Anthology 3
- 1965: Mixing: We Can Work It Out
- 1964: Interview: Playboy
- 1964: Live: ABC Cinema, Exeter
- 1963: Live: Borås Hallen, Borås, Sweden
- 1961: Live: Aintree Institute, Liverpool
- 1961: Raymond Jones orders My Bonnie from Brian Epstein
- 1960: Live: Kaiserkeller, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
