The Beatles were second on the bill for the New Musical Express 1962-63 Annual Poll-Winners’ All-Star Concert, held at the Empire Pool in Wembley, London. Topping the 14-act bill were Cliff Richard and The Shadows.
The venue was filled with 10,000 people. The Beatles won no awards on this day, as the polling had taken place towards the end of 1962 and they were insufficiently known nationwide, but the NME made them the penultimate act of the day due to the success of their recent singles.
The Beatles performed four songs: ‘Please Please Me’, ‘From Me To You’, ‘Twist And Shout’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’. Afterwards a number of media commentators suggested they stole the show from the headliners.
The Beatles headlined the NME Poll-Winners’ concerts in 1964, 1965, and 1966, the last of which was their final UK concert.
Also on this day...
- 2015: Paul McCartney live: Kyocera Dome, Osaka, Japan
- 2015: John Lennon vinyl box set announced
- 2012: Paul McCartney live: Estádio do Arruda, Recife, Brazil
- 2010: Paul McCartney’s entire back catalogue to be reissued by Concord Music Group
- 1978: UK album release: Bad Boy by Ringo Starr
- 1967: Recording, mixing: Only A Northern Song, Sgt Pepper run-out groove
- 1966: Recording: Taxman
- 1965: Filming: Help!
- 1964: Filming: Paul McCartney’s unused scene in A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: Live: Pigalle Club, London
- 1962: Live: Star-Club, Hamburg
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
