The Beatles' 1964 world tour
Negotiations for the Beatles' Australasian tour began in October 1963. Manager Brian Epstein signed the deal in January 1964, just one month before their American tour started. Weekly costs rose from £1500 to £2500. This increase covered airfares and excess baggage fees for drums and amplifiers. Talks between Epstein and agents Robert Kerridge of Auckland and Kenn Brodziak of Melbourne happened via telegram. Many of these telegrams were later reproduced in a book published in 2024. The band reportedly earned £250,000 from this specific leg of the journey.
On the morning of the 3rd of June 1964, Ringo Starr fainted during a photo session. He was taken to a hospital with a high fever and diagnosed with severe tonsillitis. George Harrison wanted to cancel the tour, but Epstein and producer George Martin chose to replace him instead. Jimmie Nicol stepped into the role temporarily. During rehearsals, when asked how he felt, Nicol always replied that things were getting better. Paul McCartney later used that phrase as inspiration for his song Getting Better on the Sgt. Pepper album. Nicol claimed he would have played for free but received £2,500 per show plus a bonus. After eight shows across five cities, he left quietly at night while the band slept. Epstein gave him £500 and a gold watch inscribed with appreciation before he departed alone.
The tour officially began on the 4th of June 1964 in Copenhagen, Denmark. They performed at K.B. Hallen that evening. On the 5th of June 1964, they appeared in Hillegom, Netherlands, for a television broadcast by VARA. The broadcast included young women in Volendam folk costumes offering tulips and traditional hats upon their arrival at Schiphol Airport. A boat trip through Amsterdam canals followed the concert at Treslong. The group visited the red light district De Wallen, though this segment was not shown on air. They stayed at the De Doelen Hotel in Amsterdam before playing another venue called Veilinghallen in Blokker. On the 9th of June 1964, they flew to Hong Kong and performed at the Princess Theatre in Kowloon. These stops marked the first time the band had traveled so far east as part of a world tour.
Ringo Starr rejoined the band in Melbourne, Australia, on the 14th of June 1964. They played multiple nights at Festival Hall from 13 to the 18th of June. Sydney Stadium hosted four shows between 17 and the 20th of June. Wellington Town Hall held two concerts on 22 and the 23rd of June. Auckland Town Hall saw three performances from 24 to the 26th of June. Dunedin Town Hall hosted one show on the 27th of June. Christchurch's Majestic Theatre drew crowds on the 29th of June. Brisbane Festival Hall closed out the Australian leg with two dates on 29 and the 30th of June. Enthusiastic crowds filled every venue across these cities during that month-long stretch.
The typical set list included I Saw Her Standing There sung by Paul McCartney. John Lennon and Paul McCartney shared vocals on I Want To Hold Your Hand or You Can't Do That. All My Loving featured McCartney alone while She Loves You involved all three vocalists. Till There Was You was another McCartney solo piece. George Harrison took lead on Roll Over Beethoven. Can't Buy Me Love returned to McCartney as frontman. This Boy had all three members singing together. Twist and Shout ended with Lennon taking the mic, followed by Long Tall Sally delivered by McCartney. These songs reflected the band's high energy and tight musical coordination during live appearances in 1964.
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Common questions
When did negotiations for the Beatles' 1964 world tour begin?
Negotiations for the Beatles' 1964 world tour began in October 1963. Manager Brian Epstein signed the deal in January 1964, just one month before their American tour started.
Who replaced Ringo Starr during the Beatles' 1964 world tour and how much was he paid per show?
Jimmie Nicol stepped into the role temporarily after Ringo Starr fainted on the morning of the 3rd of June 1964. He received £2,500 per show plus a bonus despite claiming he would have played for free.
Where did the Beatles' 1964 world tour officially begin and when?
The tour officially began on the 4th of June 1964 in Copenhagen, Denmark. They performed at K.B. Hallen that evening before traveling to Hillegom, Netherlands, on the 5th of June 1964.
How many shows did Jimmie Nicol play with the Beatles' 1964 world tour and where did he leave?
After eight shows across five cities, Jimmie Nicol left quietly at night while the band slept. He departed alone after receiving £500 and a gold watch inscribed with appreciation from Epstein.
What songs were included in the typical set list for the Beatles' 1964 world tour?
The typical set list included I Saw Her Standing There sung by Paul McCartney and Roll Over Beethoven led by George Harrison. The lineup also featured I Want To Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, Can't Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, and Long Tall Sally among other tracks.