1963 concert tour by the Beatles
The Beatles' first English tour lasted from 2 February 1963 until 3 March 1963. The Beatles were fourth on an eleven-act bill headed by 16-year-old Londoner, Helen Shapiro. Other acts on the tour were the Red Price Band, The Kestrels, The Honeys (UK), Dave Allen, Kenny Lynch and Danny Williams. They were also joined briefly by Billie Davis during the latter part of the tour.
The tour was organised by the Arthur Howes Agency. This was the first time that the Beatles had worked with Howes.
Programme.
The programme for the tour was:
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Set list.
The Beatles typical set list for the shows was as follows (with lead singers noted):
Two other songs were used as prepared alternatives during the tour:
Winter 1963 Helen Shapiro Tour dates.
The Shapiro tour was split into two parts.
Part 1.
The first part lasted from 2 to 10 February, although the Beatles did not play on the 10th, as they needed to be in London early on the 11th. The Beatles played two dates at the Cavern Club, Liverpool on 3 and 4 February, before joining the Shapiro tour again on the 5th.
"All dates from Lewisohn"
On 11 February, the Beatles recorded the ten tracks that, together with their two previously released singles, formed their debut album, "Please Please Me".
From 12 to 22 February, they played a number of dates on their own, before joining the Shapiro tour again on the 23.
Part 2.
The second part lasted from 23 February until 3 March. Travelling to Shrewsbury on 28 February 1963, Lennon and McCartney wrote the next Beatles single, "From Me To You".
"All dates from Lewisohn"
Instruments and equipment.
Instruments The Beatles had on the tour, shown here for each member of the group.
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Ringo Starr
References.
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