The Beatles live: Memorial Auditorium, Dallas

This was The Beatles’ only concert in Dallas, Texas. They topped a bill which also included, in order of appearance, The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, and Jackie DeShannon.

Ticket for The Beatles at the Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, 18 September 1964

When the group arrived in Dallas they were driven to the Cabana Motor Hotel, which was then owned by Doris Day. There were chaotic scenes outside the Cabana, with fans pressing so hard against a glass door that it broke. The Beatles’ journey from their car to the building’s rear entrance proved equally hazardous, with both George Harrison and Ringo Starr losing their footing in the mêlée.

John Lennon at the Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, 18 September 1964

Prior to the show they held their customary press conference, their last of the tour. A number of enterprising teenage girls, purportedly from radio stations, managed to talk their way in.

The brother of American singer Trini Lopez, who had toured with The Beatles in 1963, was present at the press conference. He wore a suit that Trini had given him, which had been worn on the English tour. The Beatles recognised the suit and invited Lopez’s brother to join them for dinner that evening.

At the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, the stage was three times the normal height for a Beatles concert. A telephoned bomb threat delayed the start of the show, although no bombs were found. However, during the search a number of fans were discovered hiding under the stage and in washrooms.

There were 12 songs in the group’s setlist: ‘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’.

The Beatles at the Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, 18 September 1964

The Beatles performed in front of 10,000 fans; each of the tickets had sold out in a day. Following their 30-minute set, the group were driven to the Dallas Love Field, from where their charter aeroplane took off at 11.08. The Beatles were taken to a Missouri ranch for a day off.

During the flight, in the early hours of 19 September, Paul McCartney led The Beatles’ entire entourage in a rendition of Happy Birthday for manager Brian Epstein, after which a number of gifts, including glassware and a vintage telephone, were presented.

Last updated: 24 January 2024
The Beatles live: Municipal Stadium, Kansas City
Day off in Alton, Missouri
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