The Beatles performed two concerts on this night at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada. A total of 35,522 tickets were sold for the shows, making $93,000 for the group.
They flew to Toronto in their charter Electra aeroplane and, after signing autographs for immigration officials, were driven to the King Edward Hotel.
Between the car and the hotel Paul McCartney’s shirt was torn by an overzealous fan. He and Ringo Starr were separated from John Lennon and George Harrison, but the police managed to restore order and they arrived in their suite safely. Once there, however, they found a 14-year-old girl hiding in a linen closet.
Toronto’s mayor, Philip Givens, and his wife, called at their suite at 1.30pm, but was turned away. A blonde woman is said to have answered the door, and told the couple that two of The Beatles were asleep and two others were with relatives. Canadian newspaper the Daily Star ran a story afterwards headlined “Beatles’ Blonde Snubs Mayor”.
To get to the Maple Leaf Gardens, The Beatles left by the hotel’s back entrance and boarded a police wagon. At the venue 4,000 police officers and Mounties were on duty, and a five-block surrounding area was sectioned off for 12 hours before the group’s arrival.
#OTD 7SEP1964 @thebeatles performed two concerts at the #MapleLeafGardens in Toronto, Canada. #EightDayAWeek pic.twitter.com/pIZuRaBTYe
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) September 7, 2017
The first show was due to begin at 4pm, but The Beatles took to the stage after 5.30. They were introduced by Jungle Jay Nelson of radio station CHUM. The other acts on the bill were, in order of appearance, The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, and Jackie DeShannon.
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’.
In between the two shows the group posed for photographs with local DJs, fan club presidents and Miss Canada, and gave a press conference to reporters. Their second performance began at 10pm.
The Beatles returned to Maple Leaf Gardens on two occasions: 17 August 1965 and 17 August 1966.
Also on this day...
- 2024: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, San Diego
- 2022: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Lyric Performing Arts Center, Baltimore
- 2022: Revolver to be reissued with remixes and rarities
- 2018: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Fox Theatre, St Louis
- 2018: Paul McCartney live: Grand Central Terminal, New York City
- 2018: Album release: Egypt Station by Paul McCartney
- 2010: John Lennon’s killer denied parole for sixth time
- 2003: Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band live: Humphreys Concerts By The Bay, San Diego
- 1967: Recording: Blue Jay Way
- 1963: The Beatles live: Fairfield Hall, Croydon
- 1963: Radio: Saturday Club
- 1962: The Beatles live: Village Hall, Irby, Wirral
- 1961: The Beatles live: Litherland Town Hall, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1960: The Beatles live: Indra Club, Hamburg
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I was at the first show, in the afternoon. I was 9 years old. My seats were up in nose bleed area, way up at the top. I found the experience unforgettable. The constant flash of brownie cameras going off coupled with pandemonium and hysteria was a bit frightening. We couldn’t hear the music at all. Just a wall of shrieking from beginning to end. Never will forget it.
I think my life changed forever on this day which was Labor Day, back in 1964 when my cousin got tickets for my brother and I to see the Beatles. It was my 1st concert. I was 10 years old at the time, but a die hard Beatles fan regardless. I was just a little disappointed with my cousin when he told us he’d exchanged our front row tickets and given them to a woman who had brought her grandson to the concert. We couldn’t take very good pictures unfortunately from the seats we were in. Aside from that I am very thankful to have seen them. It’s almost impossible to put into words the feeling I had that day!!
I was 14 and in the reds next to the stage. All I could hear was the occasional “oooh” when the screamers took a collective breath. What an experience though. Plus, I was 14 and in love with Jackie De Shannon!
I was 12 and went with my best friend.. We had seats on Paul’s side, in the very last row at the top of the Grey section. BEST Concert ever!
I was at the first show as well, age 14, with a girlfriend. Everyone screamed so much the music was impossible to hear, but we didn’t care…we knew the music by heart….it was the joy and excitement of being there. Great experience.
I was there as well. I had won 4 tickets from CHUM. My father had to drive us in from Alliston to be part of this amazing event. I remember it like it was yesterday.
Now that I think of it, it was Bob McAdorey who hosted the show and Little Caesar and the Consels along with many other Canadian acts played in the first part of the show. Maybe I was at the second show then. Doesn’t matter-didnt hear one song thru the screaming.
Went with my cousin who happened to know what hangar they were departing from. We watched everyone roll up in 2 black Cadillac’s with George scrunched against the window. They then walked out of the hangar with the other acts and climbed up the stairs into the 4 engine Electra and off they went.
I was one of 3 who went down the night before tickets went on sale. Stayed under the Odeon Carlton marquee with sleeping bags and a stove to make coffee. It was a fun night. I still have the stubs and the memory of all that screaming during the concert.
My older sister, then 13 years old was a super fan of the Beatles. My mom went downtown and stood in line outside Maple Leaf Gardens for the better part of a day, and was able to purchase tickets in the grey section. One ticket was for my sister and one for mom as there was no way she would have allowed my sister to go without supervision. I was offered the choice of the third ticket or to attend the circus with my dad. I chose the circus. People often laugh when I tell them my choice; assuming that I must now regret that decision but in all honesty, I don’t. I had the most amazing time with dad, who was infinitely more important to me than the Beatles ever were. If I had to choose again, I’d still choose the circus. Oh, and the spare ticket ended up going to a friend of my sisters, who has thanked me many times over.
I was 14 as well and a die hard Beatles fan. Our family had just moved from Toronto to Burlington and with much much begging, my parents let me go into Toronto by bus – alone!!! First bus ride; first concert. I was hooked and saw many amazing concerts at Maple Leaf Gardens. This was the most memorable for sure – I was one of the fans caught up in the loud screaming – tears and all. Still can’t figure it out! I have 3 Beatles scrapbooks still – one exclusively of Ringo as he was my favourite. I have the ticket stub from this concert as well as the ticket stub from A HARD DAYS NIGHT which I won on CHUM FM! Oh what memories ??
I was only 4 when we went. My dad received the tickets as a gift from a client. My older sister (7) and parents went. I remember it so well. They had a fence around them. Girls were screaming and passing out all around us. Security was in full force. I was mesmerised. We were quite close to the stage. It was an unbelievable experience that I hold close to me. So lucky!!
My cousin and I had gone to the hotel on our bicycle to join the crowd in seeing the Fab Four hanging outside their window that day. After a bit, they disappeared and we concluded they were on their way to the concert so we raced around the back of the hotel and sure enough they were leaving as we reached them. We followed them all the way to Maple Leaf Stadium. To this day I like to tell people we were within 15ft of them…..lol