The Beatles at Blackburn

Though it's only fifty miles from Liverpool to Blackburn the band only played once here at King George's Hall in central Blackburn. One Sunday I was grave-hunting and thought I'd drive into the city to have a quick look at the place.

They played here twice on Sunday 9th June 1963. They were at the top of the charts was their third single From Me To You and the audience went mad. The Beatles were only a supporting act though as they were on tour with Roy Orbison. The tour had started in Slough on 18th May and there were twenty-one concerts. The lads played just seven songs and - as their first songs weren't long - their set lasted for about half an hour. Other supporting acts were Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Terry Young Six, Erkey Grant, Ian Crawford, David Macbeth and Louise Cordet. By the time the tour had finished the lads were more popular than Roy Orbison.

About 4500 people had made their way to Blackburn to the concert and there were two full houses. Tickets cost from 5 shillings for the first show and 10 shillings for the second one. The first show started at 6:30pm and the crowd screamed louder for the Beatles than anyone else. Most stood up. Fans threw objects onto the stage including teddy bears and a box of Jelly Babies that George had mentioned loving. When a woman shouted "Up the Rolling Stones!" she was bashed with a closed umbrella. The second show started at 8:30pm. At the end of the show the lads unclipped their guitars and ran off leaving Ringo stuck behind the drum kit. He had to kick them out of the way before escaping. John later told the Telegraph newspaper, "They were the best crowds we have had yet. I could have played for another hour."

The lads probably had a smoke at the back between concerts...

Inside...