Monday 1 September 2014

The Beatles Live at the Convention Hall, Philadelphia

On September 2, 1964 The Beatles appeared at the Convention Hall, in Philadelphia. Also called "The Municipal Auditorium" and "Nation's Most Historic Arena), the concert hall seated more than 12,000 Beatle fans on that historic day.

Famous American DJ Hyman Aaron "Hy" Lit booked the band for Philadelphia for $25,000. Tickets went on sale in May 1964 and sold out within 90 minutes (pre-online days!!). The concert was also transmitted on local radio. It would be great to hear if somebody still hase a tape of that concert.

Other groups that appeared on the same evening were:

- The Bill Black Combo
- The Exciters
- Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
- Jackie DeShannon

When looking at pictures of the concert, you can't help but notice that the audience was "all-white". Normally The Righteous Brothers were also scheduled to appear, but they stopped touring with The Beatles because of the "loud and unruly" behaviour of Beatle fans.

At 9:30pm exactly, The Beatles appear on stage and 12,000 teenagers scream: "OMYGOD, THEY'RE HERE! THEY'RE REALLY REALLY HERE!

They play the following setlist:

- Twist & Shout
- You Can't Do That
- All My Loving
- She Loves You
- Things We Said Today
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Can't Buy Me Love
- If I Fell
- I Want to Hold your Hand
- Boys
- A Hard Days Night
- Long Tall Sally

Unfortunately, the "Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center" no longer exists, having been demolished in 2007 and replaced by the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine.

Picture of the new Perelman Center

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