Beatles concert, 4/11/65

[Prince of Darkness]

There were some great performances in those NME poll winners concerts in the sixties. In that 1965 concert alone, acts included The Moody Blues, Freddy and the Dreamers, Georgie Fame And The Blue Flames, The Seekers, Herman's Hermits, Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, Donovan, Them, The Searchers, Dusty Springfield, The Animals, The Beatles and The Kinks!

 

[louisjames]

Since he started on guitar and switched to bass, I think that informs his playing. The story goes he realized Harrison was the better guitarist and when Sutcliffe left the band, McCartney picked up the bass rather than having Harrison do it.

Another example of this is Jimi Hendrix playing bass with Stephen Stills on organ and Buddy Miles on drums for this version of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock. Some amazing bass lines:

The story, as related in the Spitz book goes - - They were deciding whether to remain a 5 piece or for one of them to switch to bass. Lennon said he wasn't going to do it and Harrison said the same. So McCartney relates that he was 'lumbered' into it. He originally hated the idea as he thought of the bass player as the "fat guy in the back line". But he was such a natural and when Ringo joined, his playing was freed to start exploring the melodic lines that he became noted for. As Ringo, who has been derided as not being a good drummer, laid down the kind of backbeat that gave McCartney and the band the solid underpinning they needed. Once they switched to being a 4 piece their sound took on a new dimension. Being tighter, more driving and cohesive. I recommend the Spitz book and the one by Mark Lewisohn (which takes the reader through to just before the release of Please Please Me) as essential reads. So many great stories and so many slender threads that ran throughout their career.

 

[Teleguy61]

I think the instruments were prerecorded on this show? At 4:15 or so you can hear an extra few notes coming out of the harmonica!

No instruments cords that I can see.

 

[bobouz]

When I think of the Beatles, I think of White Album, Abbey Road, their later stuff that was way more sophisticated. However, it's like the band had two eras. This older stuff is rockin! amazing all of this was done in like 8 years. 1962-1970...or thereabouts. It's a lifetime of music. And nearly a song for anyone.

Being 18 years old in 1969, as opposed to eras, the Beatles were an evolutionary work in process - and you got to be along for the full ride. Every album release was highly anticipated and revealed a new stepping stone on the path. It was an incredible time musically, but the 18 year old male pea-brain also had to remain highly aware of the war, the draft, and of course, women! The Beatles were a uniquely talented group that reflected the evolving times to a tee.

 

[sailingshoes72]

I think the instruments were prerecorded on this show? At 4:15 or so you can hear an extra few notes coming out of the harmonica!

But I agree the lack of noise makes this a great clip!

Here's my favorite "live" show - again, a quiet crowd and they are clearly playing their instruments. You can really hear the Epiphone Casinos!

At 10:00 - the acapella intro to "Nowhere Man" - wow!

That was great! The Epi Casinos, with the single coil pups, have a nice twang to them. Nice to see the Boys laughing & smiling and having a good time onstage!

 

[Steve Weeks]

I found this image a few years ago.

 

[walrus]

Yes, it seems both John and Paul only play Guilds in bed...

 

[DrumBob]

I’ve seen that one before. What an amazing recording and piece of history. In their prime, sounding great, and having fun.

I’m not seeing stage monitors. If that’s true it’s even more impressive.

You're right. No monitors. Stage sound was woefully inadequate in 1965.