The Beatles live: White Sox Park, Chicago

The Beatles performed two shows at the White Sox Park in Chicago, at 3pm and 8pm. The first concert was seen by 25,000, and the second drew a crowd of 37,000.

The Beatles live in Chicago, 20 August 1964

They arrived at Chicago’s Midway Airport at 3am, having flown from Houston, Texas. Local police, wary of the trouble caused by crowds in Houston, had refused to allow them to land at O’Hare International Airport.

The O’Hare Sahara hotel had unwisely announced that The Beatles were to stay there, causing thousands of fans to keep a vigil outside. The noise was so great that few of the guests managed to sleep that night.

Tickets for the concerts were priced at $2.50, $4.50 and $5.50. A promotion run by the drink 7-Up also offered purchasers the chance to win a pair of tickets, with 2,000 up for grabs.

The Beatles’ setlist featured 12 songs: the group’s short 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 Beatles were paid $155,000 for the two performances. The other acts on the bill were Brenda Holloway and the King Curtis Band, Cannibal & The Headhunters, and Sounds Incorporated.

Last updated: 24 January 2024
The Beatles live: Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston
The Beatles live: Metropolitan Stadium, Minneapolis
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