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Dec 24, 1964 › Jan 16, 1965

1964 Christmas Shows

By The Beatles

Last updated on October 31, 2024

Details

  • First date: Thursday, December 24, 1964
  • Last date: Saturday, January 16, 1965
  • Number of concerts: 20
  • Number of countries: 1

At the end of December, we were invited to perform as a support act to the Beatles in their twenty-night series of Christmas shows at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. These were a curious mixture of music, pantomime and comedy in which we shared the support bill with pop groups like Freddie and the Dreamers, solo artists such as Billy J. Kramer and Elkie Brooks, and the R&B band Sounds Incorporated. The Beatles appeared in a comedy sketch with England’s best-known DJ, Jimmy Savile, and generally hammed it up throughout, before playing a half-hour set at the end.

Eric Clapton – From “Clapton: The Autobiography” by Eric Clapton, 2008

Hanging out backstage at the Odeon was where I had my first meeting with the Beatles. Paul played the ambassador, coming out to meet us and saying hello. I remember him playing us the tune of “Yesterday,” which was half written, and asking everyone what they thought. He didn’t have the words yet. He was calling it “Scrambled Eggs,” and singing “Scrambled eggs… Everybody calls me scrambled eggs.” George and I hit it off right away. He seemed to like what I did, and we talked shop a lot. I Ie showed me his collection of Gretsch guitars, and I showed him my light-gauge strings, which I always bought from a shop called Clifford Essex on Earlham Street. I gave him some, and this was the start of what was to eventually become a long friendship; though not for a while, since the Beatles were then in another world to us. They were stars and climbing fast.

Eric Clapton – From “Clapton: The Autobiography” by Eric Clapton, 2008
From The Beatles Monthly Book – December 1966
From The Beatles Monthly Book – December 1966
From The Beatles Monthly Book – December 1966
From The Beatles Monthly Book – December 1966
From Melody Maker – January 2, 1965

20 concerts • 1 country

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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