The Beatles performed before 18,000 fans at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on 30 August 1964.
The night before they had stayed at the Lafayette Motel. At 2.15pm they left in the back of a fish truck, and a short distance from the Convention Hall they switched to their waiting tour bus.
The Beatles performed their standard 12-song set: ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘You Can’t Do That’, ‘All My Loving’, ‘She Loves You’, ‘Things We Said Today’, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘If I Fell’, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’, ‘Boys’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
After the show The Beatles left the venue in a laundry truck, as their limousine was too conspicuous. That night they stayed at the Marquis De Lafayette Hotel in nearby Cape May, where they stayed for a few days prior to their 2 September concert in Philadelphia.
During their stay in Atlantic City, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote two songs for the Beatles For Sale album. The first was ‘Every Little Thing’.
Disc, 14 November 1964
The other song written during the break in New Jersey was ‘What You’re Doing’.
We wrote this one in Atlantic City like ‘Every Little Thing’. It’s not that Atlantic City is particularly inspiring, it’s just that we happened to have a day off the tour there! Ringo does a nice but of drumming decoration in the introduction, and I double-track on the vocal as well as playing some piano.
Disc, 14 November 1964
Also on this day...
- 2014: Paul McCartney urges Scots to vote No to independence
- 1972: John Lennon live: Madison Square Garden, New York
- 1969: John Lennon and Ringo Starr travel to the Isle of Wight to see Bob Dylan
- 1968: Recording, mixing: Dear Prudence
- 1968: UK single release: Hey Jude
- 1966: Travel: Los Angeles to London
- 1965: Live: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles
- 1963: Live: Odeon Cinema, Southport
- 1963: Television: The Mersey Sound
- 1962: Live: Riverpark Ballroom, Chester
- 1962: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1961: Live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1960: Live: Indra Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
Good information. I was at the show. The only flaw is the reference to the Lafayette being six miles away. It was more like six blocks away.
By the way, the opening acts that night were the Bill Black Combo, the Exciters, and the Righteous Brothers.
Jackie DeShannon also opened for them.
OMG, what memories. My friend and I were there as well. We were at the Lafayette and then Convention Hall. When the limo pulled up in front and they opened the back door, no one got in, then they closed the door and the limo took off, I noticed nobody got in. But all the girls started screaming and chasing the limo. I was not one of the hysterical teens, so I sort of noticed things, like the people at the window of their room were not the Beatles, but someone else. My father owned Green’s Army & Navy on Atlantic and Ohio. It was torn down and now is a bus station. Makes me want to cry. Who wouldn’t give all they have to be able to go back for a day?
Oh, yes, Ken. My friend and I were there too and we camped out at the Lafayette Motor Inn as well. That was insane! Do you remember when the Beatles left in a laundry truck or fish truck and at the same time, a black limo pulled up to the front door, the car door opened, no one got in, and the limo pulled away with screaming girls chasing the limo?
I was at the concert also, although I was only 6 1/2 years old.I just recently found the tickets at my mothers. My parents sent to New York for the tickets and they were $3.90 apiece. I have a picture of them if you would like to see them.
I just bought a ticket stub on eBay yes I’d really like to see your ticket, thank you!
I was there, too, in the 7th or 8th row back. I was almost 12 years old. Couldn’t hear a thing, though, with all the screaming. It was a mob scene.
I was young also and very short. Some lady held me while I stood on the back of the seat, as everyone instantly started standing in their seats. We found that by putting our fingers in our ears, it filtered out the screams and we were able to hear the music.
All these years I thought the car (truck) I seen John Lennon in was a ambulance, they were parked and I went up and asked a man there did he have any aspirin I had a awful headache. I seen movement under some sheets and John popped his head out and gave me a big smile , I just looked at him and smiled back, Then the man closed the door and the truck took off, I went back to my friends who hogged the binoculars at the concert and told them what I saw. They were not amused that I did not call them over.
I was there! The Beatles stayed in Atlantic City at the Lafayette Hotel on North Carolina Avenue…NOT in Cape May.
They went to Cape May AFTER Atlantic City. From there they went to Philly.
I was there, 18 years old. My step dad had worked there and I knew how to get around. 3 friends and I got up to the balcony. Could not hear the music for all the screaming. Don’t recall 18000 people, seamed a lot smaller from my vantage point/memory.
My two friends and I (age 14) purchased three tickets ($4.90) to the concert. We also sent away for press passes from Teen Magazine, and received two thin paper passes with PRESS typed on them. There was a raised press box to the left of the stage, and we decided to give the passes a try. Since there were only two passes and three of us, two of us presented the passes and were allowed to climb up the stairs to the press seats. Then one of us took both passes back down, gave one to the third friend and once again were allowed in. We sat IN FRONT OF Dick Clark, and sometime during the concert the police had to pull my friend down off the press table (gently, and just asked her to remain on the floor)as she was standing on it screaming. Dick Clark signed my white “genuine leatherette” purse, and some years later my mother threw it out not releasing how important it was to me! And yes, the Beatles stayed at a hotel that was about 6 blocks from the Convention Center. We walked over there and one friend used the press pass again to get up to the floor where Beatles were staying. UNFORTUNATELY, she was told by a guard that they were not accepting any more questions from the press at that time.
I, too, am grateful to say that I was at the concert, too. I was 12 years old. My mom and brother drove my 13 year old sister and me to the concert and back from Albany, N.Y. . The crown seemed smaller, but what did I know at 12 years, other than the Beatles were the greatest thing in my life (along with my dog “Charlie”). I remember everyone standing on top of the back of their chairs and all of them tipping backwards, knocking every row behind them down (the chairs were attached to each other). Luckily, I ran to the back, stood underneath a loud speaker on a desk, and grooved to “Tell Me Why”, ” A Hard Day’s Night”, etc. . The euphoria before the concert at the Hotel Lafayette was intoxicating. I’ve often told friends that I NEVER saw the Righteous Brothers, alas…! Finally, Paul McCartney played in Albany, N.Y. this summer. FAB! I never thought it would happen. One and a half years until “When I’m Sixty Four”.
Was there with my friend Keith. Still got my ticket!
Hey! We went to Oakcrest together!!! I was Donna Green and married Harry Manning.
Just read this. Do I know you from Oakcrest HS? I was class of 1970.
Yep, I was there.
I was there on the main floor with my neighbor, Rick Wyatt. My brother Jack and my Mom were elsewhere on the main floor. We took an MU (Interurban) from Franklin Street Station in Reading, PA. I was 15 and already playing guitar (started when I was eight) in a band. I remember the whole show, including one of the opening acts Sounds, Inc. I also remember there were four Beatle “look-alikes” in the balcony going nuts to get attention (I believe they were just wearing Beatle wigs). Anyway everyone stood on the tops of the chairs to get a better look, getting their balance and being “held-up” from the row behind us. My neighbor and I didn’t mind because almost the entire row behind us were female. My Mom told me later that my brother (who had just turned 12) made the classic statement; “Mommy, these people are CRAZY!” I am still playing guitar at 67, playing professionally and more importantly, enjoying it!
I was 14 & also there, still have my $4.90 ticket. The concert was insane. I can remember standing standing on the seat & screaming my bloody head off hardly able to make out what songs they sang. Before the concert I got very lucky waiting in the alley of the Lafayette with my friend Mary, there may have been only 3-4 others there also. A black limo came down the alley, the side door opens with Ringo & George coming out and entering from the drivers side. I opened the passenger door of the limo reached in, touched Ringo & had the presence of mind to take a pic! Needless to say, my other two friends Marianne & Arleen, were upset because they were sure the Beatles wouldn’t sneak out the back and stayed in front of the hotel.
I was there with my girlfriend for the concert. Her mother sat somewhere further back. It was an amazing experience and my first rock ‘n’ roll concert ever. I still have the program from that day that I’m actually putting up on eBay next week to see if it’s worth anything I’m sure that it is. I’m actually going to print out this description of the concert and stick it in with the program for whoever buys it.
I remember all the girls standing on the seats and their boyfriends standing behind them holding on so they didn’t fall. I was 6 and my Dad put me on his shoulders to see and that put me head level with the screaming girls. I got down pretty quick. I would love to get a seating chart for that concert. We were on the floor and even though I was 6 I femember being able to look down the aisle and seeing the Beatles in front of me and always thinking we had pretty good tickets which I still have. Ours were $3.90 not the $4.90 alot of people were mentioning. The best first concert ever!
Omg, was there with girlfriend, compliments of her father, a local promoter, a concert I’ll never forget.. the energy and crazy of we’all was never to be forgotten. JPG&R, you were and remain the best ever. Again and again, Thank You for all you meant.
I have an original roll of film that my late father took of the band at the press conference that day because his father was chief of police of AC. It’s never been published, up close images, I’m thinking about getting it out there soon. If anyone has any ideas on how to best do this, let me know if there are any collectors or direction to go…. Thanks!
I love that all you folks were there, I wasn’t born yet.
My father told me it was a bread truck they arrived (or left) in to distract the fans.
I was there with my sister and her friend. I was only 13 and sister and her friend 15. I remember the Righteous Brothers and Jackie DeShannon.
I recall sitting row behind my sister next to two older woman. They were maybe late teen or early 20’s laughing watching girls screaming, crying, pulling on their own hair. The screaming drowning out much of the sound of Beatles singing.
But mostly remember following the crowd after the show to the Lafayette Hotel. My sister’s friend and I trying to be voice of reason because our parents were waiting outside the hall to take us home. My sister convinced us we could call them. This was before cell phones and we had no number to make that call.
I believe we finally made it back to where we were supposed to meet my parents and the frustrated yet relief in their expression that we were still alive.
Great time!
Ann Dubois Aug 15, 2022
Watching PBS Celebrate Life of George Harrison tonight, happened to find this page.
My friend and I were 14 (perfect Beatlemaniac age) August of 1964. From Dec 1963 until sometime
around 1966 my life was entirely a whirlwind of Beatle magazines, Beatle music, Beatle movies, and
perhaps one of the highlights of the 60’s, the concert in Atlantic City NJ. We had main floor seats.
I remember standing outside in a crush of screaming, fainting girls, and boys protesting with signs.
I remember the opening acts, but thousands of people screaming “WE WANT THE BEATLES!” When
they came on stage; I only remember the rest was just screaming, people up on the chairs, couldn’t
hear a thing, but we didn’t care “THEY WERE THERE! The drum set, the Beatle haircuts, Beatle suits!
John, Paul, George & Ringo! It is sad there isn’t any good video of the concert that day.
We left right away after it was over and waited by the exits from the parking garage under Convention
Hall. We decided to begin to walk to the end of the street to the corner . while police cleared the area
at the ramp so an ambulance could get out. The ambulance turned to the right at the corner we were
standing on. Then the curtains moved and someone was waving out the back! We went nuts.
Never knew for sure, but if it was, it made our night a totally magical experience! Would I relive it
again? Oh, Yea, Yea, Yea!!!
I was there also along with my friend Kathy Carver. Twelve yr old girls in love with Paul. I was lucky to get gold tickets and parked on Paul’s side of the stage 12 rows back. Have no recollection of the openers but I remember the deafening noise when the fab four walked onto stage. My girlfriend Liz got us autographs since her father was the concert promoter. I unfortunately lost a trunk full of memorabilia from a few concerts back in the day during a move out of AC. Just wish I got to see Led Zeppelin in ’73 at MSG but caught that awful flu that was going around.
The head of the usher’s union in Atlantic City worked for my Uncle, and always called on me to be a paid usher at Convention Hall events (Miss America, Ice Capades, etc.). I was in college at the time and he asked me to be an usher at the Beatles concert. That took place several days after the Democratic National Convention ended. While the hall was cleared, the high podium stand on which Lyndon Johnson gave his acceptance speech remained. That was where the Beatles performed. Though I had free roaming ability, I could neither see much (continuous flash bulbs going off) or hear much due to the roar of the crowd. But it was a truly great experience that I still remember from almost 60 years ago!
P.S. No, I’m not the author 😉
Great memories from my childhood! I was an avid Beatles fan, living in Union, NJ. My father was a bus driver for Public Service Transit and he got me a bus ticket to Atlantic City to see the Beatles concert at the AC Convention Center in Aug. 1964, one day before my 17th birthday. I had a ticket for the main floor. I do not recall the opening acts, but I do remember seeing The Beatles on stage! I don’t recall hearing the music because everyone was standing on the chairs SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. It was quite a thrill just to be there and it is one of the highlights of my childhood. After the concert, I boarded a bus for the 3 hour trip back to northern NJ. I was glad to finally make it back home to my bed, where I just gazed at the Beatle wallpaper in my bedroom! Yes, my dad hung Beatle wallpaper in my bedroom! He was the best! Little did I know at the time, that my dad would pass away just 9 years later in Aug, 1973. I never forgot the things my dad went out of his way to do to make me happy. I miss him EVERY SINGLE DAY! Next week, I will be 76 years old, and still have these fond memories of my father and The Beatles.
I was there as a l6 year old beatlemaniac…got out of our seats and raced to the front of the stage when they came on..I remember them announcing they were going to stop the show if we didn’t get back in our seats. Then maybe we stood on our chairs..They were gorgeous…loved you can’t do that song. after show asked someone to rub my sweater on ringos drum kit. Lucille Aitken