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: Red Price Band The Honeys Dave Allen The Beatles Dave Allen Danny Williams —Interval— Red Price Band The Kestrels Kenny Lynch Dave Allen Helen Shapiro
Set list The Beatles typical set list for the shows was as follows (with lead singers noted):
"Chains" (George Harrison) "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby" (John Lennon) "A Taste of Honey" (Paul McCartney) "Please Please Me" (John Lennon / Paul McCartney)
Two other songs were used as prepared alternatives during the tour: "Love Me Do" (Paul McCartney / John Lennon) "Beautiful Dreamer" (Paul McCartney)
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.
Date City Country Venue 2 February 1963 Bradford England Gaumont 5 February 1963 Doncaster Gaumont 6 February 1963 Bedford Granada 7 February 1963 Wakefield ABC Cinema 8 February 1963 Carlisle Regal 9 February 1963 Sunderland Sunderland Empire Theatre 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".
Date City Country Venue 23 February 1963 Mansfield England Granada 24 February 1963 Coventry Coventry Theatre 26 February 1963 Taunton Gaumont 27 February 1963 York Rialto 28 February 1963 Shrewsbury Granada 1 March 1963 Southport Odeon 2 March 1963 Sheffield Sheffield City Hall 3 March 1963 Hanley Gaumont
All dates from Lewisohn
Instruments and equipment Instruments The Beatles had on the tour, shown here for each member of the group.
John Lennon 1958 Rickenbacker 325 electric guitar 1962 Gibson J-160E electro-acoustic guitar (used as backup) 1962 Vox AC-30 amplifier
Paul McCartney 1961 Höfner 500/1 hollowbody Violin bass Quad II/22 Amp modified by Adrian Barber 1962 Adrian Barber "Coffin" speaker cabinet
George Harrison 1957 Gretsch Duo Jet hollowbody electric guitar 1962 Gibson J-160E electro-acoustic guitar (used as backup) 1962 Vox AC-30 amplifier
Ringo Starr Premier Mahogany drum kit 20×17" bass drum 12×8" rack tom 16×16" floor tom 14×4" Premier Royal Ace wood-shell snare drum
See also List of the Beatles' live performances
References
Bibliography