Friday marked the 60th anniversary of Baltimore’s brief dalliance with the Beatles.
The Beatles arrive at Friendship Airport before performing at the Civic Center in Sept. of 1964.
On Sept. 13, 1964, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr hit a one-day stop in Charm City on their first tour of the United States, playing two concerts at the Baltimore Civic Center, now known as CFG Bank Arena.
A newspaper ad shows the date and time for the Beatles concert in Baltimore.
According to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, an estimated 26,000 fans packed into the venue between the two concerts. Over 70 police officers were lined three-deep in the orchestra pit ahead of the stage.
BALTIMORE, MD. — 09/13/64 — They Wanna Hold Their Ears — Surrounded by a sea of Beatles fans at today’s performance, a man and boy (upper left) seem to be trying to shut out the din of music and shrieks in the Baltimore Civic Center. Witnesses said it was impossible. No injuries were reported. File Photo dated 09/13/64 (Photo scanned 11/15/99) FILE PHOTO
Bill Black’s Combo, The Exciters, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry and Jackie DeShannon opened for the Fab Four, which played a 12-song set that included classics like “All My Loving” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”
Following the concert, the Beatles had an all-night private party at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Holiday Inn. They left by limousine to travel to Pittsburgh, the next leg of their 32-performance tour.
Members of the Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Start at their motel in Baltimore in 1964. The Beatles performed at the Civic Center in Baltimore.9/14/1964 — Mobs of screaming teenagers hoping for a glimpse of the Beatles are kept at bay by police barricades on Lombard Street across the street from the Holiday Inn in Baltimore. Baltimore Sun photo by William La Force.Beatles fans cheer outside of the hotel where the band members were staying. The Beatles performed at the Civic Center in Baltimore in 1964.
