The Beatles’ third known concert at Liverpool’s Grafton Rooms had been arranged in February 1963, and was a fundraiser for the charity the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The group performed for no fee. The event was organised by Oxford student Jeffrey Archer, who later became a novelist, Conservative party politician and a disgraced peer.
They were very generous. It was very good of them to do it. There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that Paul McCartney and John Lennon were very bright. There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that they could have gone to Oxford, if that was their course, if they hadn’t been prisoners of birth. Harrison clearly was a wonderful musician. And Ringo, I couldn’t get to terms with at all. But it was a great day in my life and great fun.
Jeffrey Archer
Last updated: 11 June 2018
Also on this day...
- 2022: Paul McCartney live: Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland
- 2020: Paul McCartney announces Flaming Pie reissue
- 2020: Peter Jackson’s documentary The Beatles: Get Back delayed till 2021
- 2014: Ringo Starr live: Filene Center, Wolf Trap, Vienna, Virginia
- 2013: Ringo Starr releases multimedia ebook Photograph
- 2010: Paul McCartney live: RDS Arena, Dublin
- 1972: US album release: Some Time In New York City by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band
- 1967: US album release: The Family Way
- 1965: Press conference about the MBE announcement
- 1964: Live: Centennial Hall, Adelaide
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1961: Live: Top Ten Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.