The Beatles' 1964 North American tour
The Beatles departed London at noon on the 18th of August 1964. They had spent two weeks in the United States during February and became the most well known group in America. In the six months that followed, they achieved seventeen Top 40 singles including six number ones. Their US-only LPs A Hard Day's Night and Something New topped the charts for nine weeks. Fans in the United States excitedly anticipated a country-wide tour after their brief February appearance. The band recorded four songs for what would become Beatles for Sale before leaving. These tracks included Baby's in Black and I'm a Loser among others. After these recordings they arrived at San Francisco International Airport on the 19th of August at 6:25 pm. They were greeted by 9,000 fans waiting outside.
George Harrison switched between his Gretsch Country Gentleman and Rickenbacker 12-string guitars during shows. He sometimes played a different guitar than was used on the original studio recording. The Beatles used new 100-watt amplifiers for all their performances. Despite this equipment their sound remained consistently drowned out by screaming fans. Journalist Larry Kane joined the group as part of the press party. He was then 20 years old when he sent a letter to manager Brian Epstein requesting an interview. Epstein invited him to travel with the group after responding to the request. Kane speculated that Epstein included him because he thought he was a well-known American personality who owned several radio stations. Supporting acts for the tour included the Bill Black Combo and the Exciters.
Intense screaming and rabid fans characterized shows across the entire tour. Mobbing crowds necessitated enhanced security measures including decoy limousines. The band also used unlikely transportation such as delivery vans and ambulances. Variety reported that at the show in Vancouver 160 girls were treated for injuries and distress. Thousands of fans charged at the security barriers in front of the stage during that event. At shows in Cleveland and Kansas City fans broke past police lines to climb onto the stage. In both cases calm was only restored after Beatles press officer Derek Taylor threatened to cancel the rest of the concert. In Montreal a newspaper reported that Ringo Starr had been threatened. Starr later speculated it was due to antisemitism and an incorrect assumption that he was Jewish. The Beatles left immediately after their Montreal show for Jacksonville Florida.
Capitol Records planned to record the Beatles' performance on the 12th of February 1964 at Carnegie Hall New York City. The recording did not happen because the American Federation of Musicians refused to grant permission. When the Beatles returned to the US Capitol still hoped to record again this time receiving permission from the Federation. Martin and Capitol's Voyle Gilmore recorded the Beatles performing at the Hollywood Bowl on the 23rd of August 1964. Executives rejected the recording for release due to its poor sound quality. Martin explained the audience's screaming was like putting a microphone at the end of a 747 jet. The recording remained unreleased until the 1977 album The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl where it is mixed together with two August 1965 performances.
While the Beatles stayed at Hotel Delmonico in New York City Al Aronowitz introduced Bob Dylan to them on the 28th of August. The Beatles initially offered Dylan amphetamine pills but he said he preferred cheap wine. Dylan suggested they instead smoke marijuana something the Beatles had only tried a few times before. Starr smoked the entire marijuana joint himself after not knowing he was supposed to share it. After rolling and smoking another joint the Beatles laughed continuously while Dylan answered the constantly ringing telephone. He told callers This is Beatlemania here. McCartney became convinced he had discovered the meaning of life and asked roadie Mal Evans to write down his thoughts. McCartney recalls reading the paper the next morning with it saying There are Seven Levels. Lennon recalled the meeting in 1970 stating that when he met Dylan he was quite dumbfounded.
The Beatles experienced difficulty leaving the George Washington Hotel in Jacksonville. Around two dozen police officers escorted the group past 500 fans. It took 15 minutes for the group to travel the 25 feet from the hotel elevator to their waiting limousine. In July 1964 US President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race color religion sex or national origin. The Beatles opposed racial segregation and remained concerned that their upcoming Jacksonville Florida show could still be segregated. On the 6th of September a week before the show they issued a press statement saying We will not appear unless Negroes are allowed to sit anywhere. The following day Jacksonville's daily paper The Florida Times-Union released an editorial disparaging the Beatles. Entitled Beatlemania Is A Mark Of A Frenetic Era the piece described the group as a passing fad whose appearance on the scene was perfectly timed and fitted to the mores morals and ideals of a fast-paced troubled time. Though the editorial did not mention segregation Beatles writer Bill DeMain interprets it as arguing that the Beatles were not intelligent enough to comment on social issues.
Writer June Skinner Sawyers describes the tour as the first major rock-and-roll concert tour in the history of popular music. In response to Larry Kane asking if there was anything he cherished about the tour Lennon replied Well just the whole thing. It has been fantastic. He stated they would probably never do another tour like it. It could never be the same as this one and it is probably something they will remember the rest of their days. The Beatles returned to North America in 1965 and 1966. During the tour Charlie Finley offered the Beatles a large sum to perform an extra show in Kansas City. With few days off the Beatles rejected the initial offer accepting only after it increased to $150,000. This figure was higher than any American artist had ever received for a single show. On the 17th of September the Beatles played in Kansas City's Municipal Stadium to around 20,000 spectators roughly half the stadium's capacity. Breaking with their trend of only playing released material they covered Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey to what historian Mark Lewisohn writes was an especially uproarious reception.
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Common questions
When did the Beatles depart London for their 1964 North American tour?
The Beatles departed London at noon on the 18th of August 1964. They arrived at San Francisco International Airport later that day at 6:25 pm.
What equipment did George Harrison use during the Beatles' 1964 North American tour shows?
George Harrison switched between his Gretsch Country Gentleman and Rickenbacker 12-string guitars during shows. The band used new 100-watt amplifiers for all performances despite the sound being drowned out by screaming fans.
Why was the Capitol Records recording from February 1964 cancelled?
Capitol Records planned to record the Beatles performance on the 12th of February 1964 at Carnegie Hall New York City but the American Federation of Musicians refused to grant permission. The actual Hollywood Bowl recording occurred on the 23rd of August 1964 and remained unreleased until the 1977 album The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl.
How did Bob Dylan influence the Beatles during their stay in New York City on the 28th of August?
Al Aronowitz introduced Bob Dylan to the Beatles on the 28th of August while they stayed at Hotel Delmonico in New York City. Dylan suggested they smoke marijuana which led to McCartney believing he had discovered the meaning of life.
What stance did the Beatles take regarding racial segregation before their Jacksonville Florida show on the 6th of September 1964?
The Beatles issued a press statement on the 6th of September saying they would not appear unless Negroes were allowed to sit anywhere. This decision followed concerns about potential segregation despite President Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act in July 1964.