Friday, 2 September 2016

50 years since the Beatles' last live show

Ron Howard is soon to release a film called 'Eight Days a Week', which shows new footage of the Beatles playing live. The film delineates the various tours they had around the world. And exactly why they eventually burnt out as a live band.
This is perfectly synchronised with the 50 year anniversary of the band's last live show.

Image result for beatles last show 1966
                     
'George Harrison and John Lennon were the ones most against touring. I'd been trying to say, 'Ah! Touring's good and it keeps us sharps. But eventually I agreed with them.' (Paul McCartney).

As the 1960s progressed, the Beatles played live less and less- they couldn't stand the screaming which drowned out their music, and George Harrison in particular disliked touring. Besides, it felt like nobody- particularly the groupies- were actually listening. 

In August 29th 1966 they played final official concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Some would argue this wasn't technically their last show; what about that famous rooftop gig in 1969, after all? But it was the last organised concert with tickets and an official venue. The 1969 rooftop gig, meanwhile, was a more impromptu affair, which made it even more special. 

The concert at Candlestick Park was plagued by John Lennon's notorious comments about Christianity, and the band were receiving death threats; however the concert went pretty well considering!

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