The Beatles performed two shows at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada, on this day. They had previously played at the venue on 7 September 1964, and returned for a third and final time on 17 August 1966.
The group flew from New York to Toronto in the Lockheed Electra aeroplane chartered by Brian Epstein from American Flyers for this 1965 US tour.
They arrived in the morning and were taken to the King Edward Sheraton hotel. News that The Beatles were staying at the Sheraton had become known to fans, and dozens booked themselves rooms in the hope of meeting the group.
Each of the two shows was seen by 18,000 people. The Beatles played for 27 minutes. Their set contained 12 songs: a shortened version of ‘Twist And Shout’, followed by ‘She’s A Woman’, ‘I Feel Fine’, ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’, ‘Ticket To Ride’, ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’, ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, ‘Baby’s In Black’, ‘Act Naturally’, ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Help!’ and ‘I’m Down’.
The other acts on the tour were, in order of appearance, Brenda Holloway and the King Curtis Band, Cannibal & The Headhunters, and Sounds Incorporated.
I was at this concert 50 years ago today! I remember that Paul also sang a new song: “Yesterday”
I have a ticket from the August 1965 Maple Leaf Garden concert…cost $5.50……
cool. my sisters saw that show. both huge beatlemanics
I also was at this concert. I was twelve an my sister was ten. It was the first concert that I had ever seen, and people are in awe of this now. I’ve gone on to see about a hundred concerts with some very high profile bands.This was the kickstart of all kickstarts. I can still hear Cannibal and the Headhunters kicking off. I can still see those horrible red velvet drapes, and I can still hear Lennon and McCartney, a little hoarse and off key.
I was at that concert, as I had free tickets due to our rock group, the Just Us Five, having come in second place in a battle of the bands in the Gardens months before. The first place band got to open the show; as second place, our entire group got free tickets. We had to drive up from the Buffalo, NY area. My ears were ringing for weeks afterward, due to all the screaming!
On second thought, I’m not certain if it was this concert. I seem to remember that the Cirkle was on the bill??? I guess maybe too many years have passed to remember which year we went! Sorry.
Cyrkle, Bobby Hebb and the Ronettes were on the bill in 1966.
Yes I remember seeing them with the Curkle opening. I think it was 1964? I saw them also in 1966 but I missed this concert in 65. If these are the guys that did Red Rubber Ball then it was 64 I think.
Plus those songs sound like 64
As mentioned above, the Cyrkle was an opening act during the 1966 tour. Red Rubber Ball (co-written by Paul Simon) was the Cyrkle’s big hit in 1966. The Cyrkle also opened for the Rolling Stones’ American tour in 1966, which I saw in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
I was there the most crazy thing ever wish I could get some footage of that concert or some memorabilia
There is something wrong here as I have my ticket from that show and it was on Wednesday, not Tuesday.
Are you sure yours isn’t Wednesday 17 August 1966, not 1965?
They played August 17th in 1965 and August 17th in 1966.
Wednesday 17 August 1966 Gardens footage
I was there with 4 extra tickets and invited 4 girls from the spectators crowd to join me and their screaming for joy was just as good as the concert. I couldn’t hear a word of the concert for the volume of the screaming and security had to retrieve a fan from the protective stage cover who was trying to jump on stage.
Was anyone there on the CFRA Ottawa Beatles contest winners trip? I won ticket dumpster diving for potato chip wrappers to drop off at the station . The late Max Keeping was one of the “chaparones”. We flew to T.O. in TCA Viscount and sat way up in the Gardens Grey’s . Couldn’t hear much more than screaming,but at least I can say I was there.