The Beatles at The Opera House, Blackpool

The Beatles performed two separate concerts here. Both were in 1964 before they became known worldwide. They were in the first stages of Beatlemania which had had started the year before after they made their first television appearance. They performed here on 26th July and they were back the next month on 16th August - both Sunday night concerts. Crowds amassed outside the front and rear entrances.

While in Blackpool I went to have a look at the place. It was a warm Saturday evening and I'd parked about half a mile north of The Golden Mile. The consumed chips and curry and a buttered muffin needed walking off so I got on the beach and walk south down to the tower. It was good to see the theatre is still in use and isn't a dreadful fast-food place.

At the second performance supporting The Beatles on the bill were The Who (still known as The High Numbers) and The Kinks - both fairly unknown then. As usual both concerts were marred by constant screaming which was so loud it drowned out the amplified guitars. Two days after the second concert they flew to America to do their first coast-to-coast summer tour. I did a salute and left.

There's a little footage of the lads here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLocQvU_T_k