Fab Four Blog

Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst St. Birmingham, Warks

After this date, the tour resumed on the 12th.

Granada Cinema, Barking Rd. East Ham, London

Five days after concluding the Helen Shapiro tour, five days in which they had fulfilled three live engagements, a recording session for EMI and a radio session for the BBC - the Beatles set off going around a still-snowbound Britain on a second theater package tour. Top billing this time was shared by two American individuals, Tommy Roe and Chris Montez, although both were very quickly superseded-on the first "house" of the first night, in fact by the increasingly all conquering Beatles.

Their repertoire on this tour was "Love me do", "Misery", "A taste of honey", "Do you want to know a secret", "Please please me" and "I saw her standing there".

The Beatles at the Royal Hall, Ripon Rd. Harrogate, Yorkshire

Elizabethan Ballroom, Co-Operative House

Parliament St. Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

An inspirational idea from Brian Epstein, a one-night stand featuring his fast growing array of artists, all beginning to enjoy great success. The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Big Three, and Bill J. Kramer with the Dakotas all appeared, as well as the Cavern Club compete Bob Wooler. On this occasion the entire entourage traveled down from Liverpool on two coaches run by NEMS Enterprises, joined by 80 fans who paid an all-in fare of of 25 shillings (1.25 pd).

This was the first of six such engagements over the following three months, concluding on June 16th. It became known as the "Mersey Beat Showcase" tour.

Playhouse Theater, Manchester

A return trip to the Playhouse in Manchester for the Beatles 5th and final appearance on the BBC Light Program radio show "Here we go", produced by Peter Pilbeam, the man who had auditioned and broadcast the group before they had an EMI recording contract. After a 4:00 pm rehearsal, the group took part in the recording from 8:00 to 8:45, performing "I saw her standing there", "Misery", "Do you want to know a secret" and "Please please me", although "I saw her standing there" was edited out of the broadcast tape, transmitted from 5:00 to 5:29pm on Tuesday, March 12th.

Studio Two, EMI Studios, London

Five days after writing on the Helen Shapiro coach, the Beatles recorded "From me to you" this day at EMI. It began the session at the B-side of their 3rd single, during the session, however, it was promoted to premier status over the previously preferred "Thank you Girl", also taped this day (under the working title, "Thank you little girl) which became the new B-side. The Beatles worked in Studio two between 2:30-9:00pm - although the session had been booked for 2:30-5:30 and 7:00-10:00 - recording 13 takes of "From me to you" and the same number of "Thank you girl". The single was issued by EMI on Thursday, April 11th.

With some studio time remaining, the Beatles recorded two more Lennon-McCartney titles, "The one after 909" and "What goes on", although in the end, it was possible only to tape the former. Five takes were recorded but the result was deemed unsatisfactory and this version remains unissued. The Beatles returned to the song during the "Get Back" sessions (1969) hence it's inclusion on the album, 'Let it be', and they returned to "What goes on" for "Rubber Soul" (1965)

The Beatles first 100 pound booking at the Plaza Ballroom, St. Helens

Gaumont Cinema, Piccadilly, Hanley, Staffordshire

The final night of the Helen Shapiro package tour. By this time, the Beatles had been elevated on the bill from playing the first spot to the final act in the first half.

City Hall, Barker's Pool, Sheffield, Yorkshire and then Studio One, Didsbury Studio Centre, Parrs Wood Rd. Manchester, Lancashire

After finishing the 2nd Shapiro "House" at Sheffield, the Beatles drove 38 miles to Manchester, to appear live on the ABC TV news magazine program ABC At Large, boradcast in the Midlands and north regions only from the company's Didsbury Studio Centre between 11:00 and 11:50pm.

Together with Brian Epstein, they participated in a lengthy interview with David Hamilton (later a top radio DJ) answering questions about their sudden fame and pondering why they had succeeded where hundreds of other groups, from Liverpool to elsewhere, had not done so.

The feature also included interviews with pop fans and an appearance by Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers. The Beatles did not perform music on this program, although a brief clip of a mimed "Please please me" from their most recent appearance on ABC'S "Thank your lucky stars" (taped February 17) was shown again.

The Beatles at the Odeon Cinema, Lord St. Southport, Lancashire

Granada Cinema, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

While traveling this day between York and Shrewsbury, on the coach containing the entire Shapiro entourage, John and Paul wrote the Beatles' next single "From me to you". On this date, Helen Shapiro resumed her role as headliner, and Billie Davis left the tour.

The Beatles at the Rialto Theatre, Fishergate, York, Yorkshire - Helen Shapiro bowing out to do illness.

Gaumont Cinema, Corporation St. Taunton, Somerset

Back to the package tour. in the terrible winter weather, Helen Shapiro came down with a cold and was forced to miss this date. Danny Williams assumed top-of-the-bill status and Billie Davis, currently charting with "Tell Him", was drafted in to pad out the line-up.

Casino Ballroom, Lord St. Leigh, Lancashire

In the Beatles absence, George Martin and his team produced the mono and stereo masters of the "Please please me" album, mixing and banding the 14 tracks in 10:00am to 1:00pm AND 2:30PM to 5:45pm sessions in Studio One at EMI. The group were in a van on their way to Leigh for a NEMS Enterprises dance booking.

Granada Cinema, West Gate, Mansfield, Notts

Part II of the Helen Shapiro package tour. Before going on stage for the first of the two "houses", the Beatles crowded into Helen's dressing room and watched their latest appearance on "Thank your lucky stars", taped the previous Sunday. Being the headliner, Shapiro had the only TV set among the artists. :)

The Beatles at the Oasis Club in Manchester

Majestic Ballroom, Birkenhead

Once again there were two separate "House", the Beatles appearing at 7:30 and 11:30 pm.

Playhouse Theatre, London and Swimming Baths, St. James St. Doncaster, Yorkshire

The Beatles were not present at Abbey Road for a 10:30 AM to 1:00 pm overdub session in Studio One, which saw George Martin add piano to "Misery" and celeste and piano to "Baby It's You". (The latter piano piece was never used). Instead, after concluding their Tuesday-night engagement in Liverpool they drove down to London through the night in order to appear on the live lunchtime radio show, "Parade of the Pops", broadcast by the BBC Light Program direct from the Playhouse Theatre. The group performed 2 songs, "Love me do" and "Please please me".

After the show, the Beatles quickly returned 160 miles north to fulfil their evening date in Doncaster.

Cavern Club - Liverpool

The Beatles first Cavern Club performance in more than a fortnight. The queue for admission formed two days beforehand. Also on the bill were Lee Curtis and the All-Stars. This was the last time that any of the Beatles set eyes on Pete Best in person.

Another NEMS Enterprises showcase, with 2 separate "houses" at the Queen's Hall, Widnes. Both were sell-outs.

Teddington Studio Center on Broom Rd. In Teddington, Middlesex

The Beatles 2nd appearance on ABC Television's "Thank your lucky stars", one of the most influential TV programs in Britain (before Top of the Pops) taped this time at the company's Teddington Studio Center southwest of London. Rehearsal was at 11:00 am and recorded the program later in the afternoon, miming to one song, "Please please me". It was transmitted across most of the U.K. on Saturday, February 23rd, between 5:50 and 6:30 pm. They now had risen to 3rd placing on the 7-act bill, the star of this particular edition, Billy Fury, for whom the amateur Silver Beetles had auditioned on May 10, 1960.

A brief extract from this performance was repeated in the March 2nd Sunday edition on ABC At Large.

The Beatles at the Carfax Assembly Rooms, on Cornmarket St. in Oxford, Oxfordshire.

A one nighter at this city center venue and the Beatle's first booking with John Smith, one of the top London promoters.

The Beatles at the Ritz Ballroom, King's Heath, Birmingham. This engagement which was postponed from January 11. The situation was ideal for the Ritz promoters who presented a group now featuring in the top 3 of the singles chart at the same cost as when they were an unknown act.

The Beatles at the Locarno Ballroom, West Derby Rd. in Liverpool.

A special Valentine's Day dance. It was the Beatles' first appearance at this Liverpool ballroom, although the Quarry Men did perform here a few times in late 1950's skiffle contests.

The Beatles at the Majestic Ballroom, Hull

The Beatles were at the Azena Ballroom, on White lLn. Gleadless, Sheffield, Yorkshire and Astoria Ballroom, on King St. Oldham, Lancashire

So, it really wasn't unusual for pop groups in 1963 to record an entire album in one day - quality and care were forsaken but budgets were adhered to. What was rare was the Beatles' ability to turn out a brilliant debut album under these circumstances. Please Please Me, the 14-track LP for which all ten recordings were made this day, remains a first-class collection of great performances. There can scarcely have been 585 more productive minutes in the history of recorded music.

Only two sessions (10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:30 to 5:30 pm were originally booked, the 2nd session ended at 6:00 and a third, 7:30 to 10:45, was added. The Beatles weren't fully fit, John had a bad cold which affected his voice. Tea, milk, cigarettes and "Soothing and Comforting" Zubes lozenges helped.

A basic run-down of the day: They reached 10 takes of "There's a place" and nine of a song at this point titled "Seventeen" (later changed to "I saw her standing there") Then 7 takes of "A taste of honey", 8 of "Do you want to know a secret", 3 more of "There's a place" 3 more of "I saw her standing there" and 11 of "Misery".

13 takes of "Hold me tight" (this song would remain unreleased until a re-make recorded on September 12, 1963 was included on the group's second album with "With the Beatles",  3 takes of "Anna (Go to him), one of "Boys", 4 of "Chains", 3 of "Baby it's you" and finally, the closing number, 2 takes of "Twist and Shout" (the first of which was chosen for the album).

An article in the February 22nd edition of NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS, and later in POP WEEKLY (probably the work of the same author), suggested that the Beatles also recorded a version of "Keep your hands off my baby" at this session. But the complete set of the day's recording sheets do not mention this title, nor does it appear in the tape library log.

Please Please Me was released in Britain on Friday, March 22, 1963 where it was the best-selling LP for 30 straight weeks, until it was dislodged by "With the Beatles".

THE BEATLES ACTUALLY TOOK A DAY OFF TODAY, 50 YEARS AGO.......

For the Beatles, these Sunderland shows marked the last night of the Shapiro tour's first leg, to be resumed on February 23rd. The Beatles did not participate in two February 10th "houses" at the Embassy Cinema in Peterborough (where their place on the bill was temporarily filled by Peter Jan and the Jaywalkers) because they had to be in London first thing in the morning on February 11, ready to record.

Probably the highlight of an otherwise uneventful tour happened after these two "houses", when the Beatles, Helen Shapiro and Kenny Lynch were ejected from a Carlisle Golf Club dance at  the Crown and Mitre Hotel in the town Center. The reason? The Beatles were wearing leather jackets.