This was the second of a three-date Scottish mini tour promoted by Albert Bonici. The Beatles performed two shows on this night, each of which was seen by 1,500 people. The other acts on the bill were Houston Wells and The Fortunes.
The concerts were originally to have taken place at the Raith Ballroom in Kirkcaldy. Due to a decision by Brian Epstein that The Beatles would only perform in theatres, the booking was moved to the larger Carlton Theatre.
This was The Beatles’ only visit to Kirkcaldy. The Carlton, which stood on Park Road, opened in 1937, and was later used as a bingo hall. It was demolished after a fire in 1972.
Last updated: 25 January 2024
Also on this day...
- 2024: Paul McCartney live: Estadio River Plate, Buenos Aires
- 2023: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Silver Creek Event Center, New Buffalo
- 2017: Eight Paul McCartney albums to be reissued on CD and vinyl
- 2015: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: CenturyLink Arena, Boise
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Festhalle, Frankfurt
- 1989: Paul McCartney live: Festhalle, Frankfurt
- 1969: US single release: Something/Come Together
- 1967: Recording: Blue Jay Way
- 1964: Recording: Eight Days A Week
- 1962: The Beatles live: Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight
- 1962: Autograph signing: The Music Shop, Widnes
- 1962: Autograph signing: Dawson’s music shop, Widnes
- 1960: The Beatles live: Kaiserkeller, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I have just found this site looking up the Beatles at Kirkcaldy. I was 10 at the time, and listened to the concert through the fire exit door. I know that the town will always be remembered from the lyrics of ‘Cry Baby Cry’ with the line ‘The duchess of Kirkcaldy’. one of the few towns mentioned in Beatles’ lyrics.
I. Was eight when they were here my aunt visited that night she couldn’t stop laughing telling. Us about trying to get through the crowd. She was small!
the carlton was always a cinema but had a deep stage and dressing rooms for putting on live shows i know someone who was at that concert and he tried to get some of the ticket stubs but the girl in the ticket booth wouldnt give him any imagine what they would be worth now! i was only 5 when they appeared there
the carlton was opened as a cinema/theatre owned by wf and fw carlow it had a huge stage and three dressing rooms
Hello my name is Alan Campbell ross I am A Beatles fan and I was lucky enough to be at the concert at the Carlton theatre! I was 15 years old at this time I can still remember my seat number M26! I was glad to have seen the Beatles I could not hear a thing to the screaming from girls
Aye aye alen hope ur Dane Alryt ul always be in my heart and ya cat a forgot ti tell yi yi cane u should try meet jhon Lennon and George and Hae a gid old breather just like ur normally do god rest ur soal ul never ever be forgotten about Allen say hi to ur mither and dad and Brer love u always
I was at this concert in the Carlton I was 13, I went with two pals from Smeaton, Kirkcaldy, one of my pals won a ticket at the Raith Ballroom to meet The Beatles backstage at the Carlton. he didn’t meet them at the Carlton as it was mayhem backstage, he was given a free ticket to see them in Dundee and met the Beatles backstage.
Chick Fraser
Hello Charles! You didn’t come from Pentland Place in Sauchenbush by any chance? Did you have an Aunt called Mrs McMillan who stayed in 26 Almond Place in Smeaton? If so I used to live in 35 Almond Place. Can you guess who I am?
It was the day after my 10th birthday and we were visiting my Gran who lived 100yds away on Napier Street . We lived in East Wemyss. I went behind the Carlton Theater with my 7yr old Sister , Marlene , The Beatles walked right in front of us , I was surprised they were smoking in the car . A year later , we immigrated to the USA . It’s something I’ll never forget !