The Beatles Embark On Their First North American Tour: August 19, 1964

Name: The Beatles Embark On Their First North American Tour: August 19, 1964
Uploaded: 2023-08-19T05:53:10+03:00
Channel: Radio Flora TM
Description: On August 19, 1964, The Beatles kicked off their first North American tour at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Playing to an audience of 17,130, the band performed

August 19, 2023 44

On August 19, 1964, The Beatles kicked off their first North American tour at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Playing to an audience of 17,130, the band performed a 12-song set, including such hits as “Twist and Shout,” “All My Loving,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

The Beatles - Cow Palace, San Francisco

Although they had performed shows in New York, Washington DC and Miami in February 1964, this was The Beatles’ first proper tour of America

All 17,130 tickets sold out, and the venue was almost full by 7pm, an hour prior to The Beatles’ set. Gate receipts amounted to $91,670. Of this the group took away $47,600 gross.

The other acts on the bill, and throughout the tour, were, in order of appearance, The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, The Righteous Brothers and Jackie DeShannon. Showtime was 8pm, and The Beatles took to the stage at 9.20pm wearing dark blue suits.

The Beatles – Twist & Shout

Their Cow Palace performance lasted just 29 minutes, and was stopped twice due to the numbers of jelly beans being thrown at The Beatles. Afterwards they were transported by ambulance (their limousine was besieged by Beatles’ fans) to the airport and on to their next concert in Las Vegas.

Nineteen girls required first aid during the concert, one boy dislocated his shoulder, 50 fans were hurt and two were arrested. A further fifty were prevented from invading the stage.

One of the very first tours of its kind, the 25-city run included 32 shows all around the US and Canada, including stops at the Hollywood Bowl, New York’s Forest Hills Stadium, and Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens.