The Beatles 1962 to 1964

 

The Beatles 1962 to 1964

by Pete Clemons

During the years 1962 and 1964 The Beatles went from playing to a handful of people to thousands in under a couple of years. During some recent general research, for a completely different subject, I found myself going back in time to when the band played in Coventry. Snippets I found myself drawn to included the following and I put them into some sort of context:

Matrix Ballroom November 1962:

The Beatles first single 'Love Me Do' had been released early October 1962. During November of that year the band appeared at The Matrix Ballroom

The more recent 'anthology series' revealed several, previously unseen, engagement instructions. Specifically for the Matrix Ballroom gig of 1962 it was stipulated that: 'You must have a good programme for this date as this engagement is for a new London Agent (also for our best fee yet – One hour spot minimum')

In the 'Let It Be' film Paul McCartney discussed this particular show with John Lennon, describing it as 'the worst first-night ever' following their recent return from Hamburg.

Set lists from this period are mainly based on a 'best guess'. But as the band had played both 'Love Me Do' and 'Ask Me Why' for a radio session the day before the Matrix gig I assume these tunes would have been played at the ballroom.


Coventry Theatre February 1963:

The single 'Please Please Me', released during January 1963, went to number one in February just as the band were touring with Helen Shapiro. Ringo Starr revealed 'We used to open for her, then hang out until the next show, it was always a bore – then suddenly we had a number one!'

A typical set list at this time may have included some of the following: 'Chains', 'Keep Your Hands off My Baby', 'A Taste of Honey', 'Please Please Me', 'Love Me Do', 'Beautiful Dreamer'.

Coventry Theatre November 1963:

A week or so before the Coventry gig it was announced that 'The Beatles latest and greatest long playing record entitled 'With the Beatles', and presented in an attractive monochrome cover featuring the shadowed faces of the four idols, will be released on November 22. A so far unnamed single will appear seven days later. Demand for both is fantastic – city record shops have been overwhelmed with advance orders'.

Interestingly the article also mentioned that 'the group had been in the city the previous Sunday, walking almost unnoticed near the Lady Godiva statue in Broadgate Island' – did The Beatles make an unscheduled visit to the city?.

The show(s) themselves were reported as follows: 'Once the show got under way the capacity audience screamed for their idols – almost ignoring the supporting entertainers who really worked themselves into the ground – but met with little response'.

The reporter continued: 'This crowd only have ears for only one group tonight and the rest of us might as well go home' mentioned a member of the Peter Jay group – as he staggered to his dressing room after a soul destroying session on stage. It was impossible to hear the words of any of the songs and the music was almost drowned out by the screaming – despite the fact that the group had 10 amplifiers on stage. The second performance, with a slightly older audience, was just as enthusiastic in its reception and while the Beatles were on stage for the last time several teenagers threw small table tennis balls onto the stage. Outside the theatre many of the fans who had seen the first show had waited to see their idols leave Coventry but the group had been driven away almost unseen'.

As for songs played, every Beatles gig at that time seemed to start with 'I Saw Her Standing There'. Also it was reported widely that up to 10 songs were played on every date of that Autumn tour. Others possibly included 'All My Loving', Twist and Shout', 'She Loves You' and 'Money'.

An article that appeared after that Beatles gig stated that the bands latest single 'Can I Hold Your Hand', which had been released that week, was proving popular, and I am told that sales may exceed supply in some shops. The demand for the long player 'With the Beatles' has been 'simply fantastic' say the local record shops. (of course the single was actually titled 'I Want to Hold Your Hand').

Beatles German releases arrived in Coventry during 1964 and this is how that news was received:

Die Beatles 'Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand' disc, with 'Sie Liebt Dich' on the flip side is now available in Coventry. This German version of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' and 'She Loves You' is one of four Odeon records featuring the four long haired lads from Liverpool.

The imported records cost is 1d more than a British single, but what's 13 pence between Beatle fans. The other three discs are re-recorded in English, but are perhaps a better proposition for the thrifty as they feature 'A' songs on each side. Specimen titles include 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'It Wont Be Long' and 'Twist and Shout'. Each disc is presented in an attractive coloured cover with photographs of their idols.

Of course, all of the above could have been in any town or city as The Beatles travelled the length and breadth of the country during that time. But it does give a small flavour of how things were almost 60 years ago when The Beatles made their flying visits the city.

I Want to Hold Your Hand in German

She Loves You in German