Sunday 14 June 1964 | Travel & Reunion | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
On Sunday 14 June 1964, after almost two weeks apart from the group due to his tonsillitis and pharyngitis, Ringo Starr finally rejoined The Beatles in Melbourne, Australia. The reunion brought to an end the remarkable episode in which stand-in drummer Jimmie Nicol had performed with the group across Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Australia since 4 June.
After holding a press conference at Sydney Airport with manager Brian Epstein earlier that morning, Ringo flew to Essendon Airport in Melbourne. Large crowds were already waiting ā though the other three Beatles were not due to arrive for another five hours.
Ringo's Arrival
Three thousand fans were at Melbourne's Southern Cross Hotel when Ringo and Brian Epstein arrived. In scenes that captured both the joy and the chaos of Beatlemania at its peak, Ringo was carried in on the shoulders of Police Inspector Mike Patterson ā who unfortunately tripped and fell as he attempted to pass through the crowd.
Ringo later recalled the experience of travelling to Australia alone in The Beatles Anthology:
I hated to leave the other three. I followed them out to Australia and there were people at the airport, but I was on my own and just automatically I looked round for the others. I couldn't stand it. I met up with them in Melbourne. The flight was horrendous. It still is ā they may have shaved a couple of hours off the flight, but it's still a hell of a long way. I remember the plane felt like a disaster area to me. It was fabulous in Australia, and of course, it was great to be back in the band ā that was a really nice moment. And they'd bought me presents in Hong Kong.
ā Ringo Starr, The Beatles Anthology
The Other Beatles Arrive
Meanwhile, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison left their Adelaide hotel at 12.15pm and flew to Melbourne on a chartered Ansett ANA Fokker Friendship. They were greeted by a crowd of 5,000 at the airport.
At the Southern Cross Hotel, the scenes outside were extraordinary. So many people had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of The Beatles that army and navy troops were called in to assist the police. The Beatles were given a police escort of 12 motorcyclists during their route into Melbourne at 4pm. They were driven into a garage entrance at the Southern Cross while a police car pulled up at the front as a diversion.
A scene of mayhem ensued: 300 police officers and 100 military personnel attempted to keep the crowd at bay. More than 150 girls fainted, and 50 people were hospitalised with injuries. To calm the crowd, The Beatles were asked to wave from their first-floor windows.
The Reunion
After all four Beatles had been reunited, they held a press conference ā along with stand-in drummer Jimmie Nicol, who was present for the occasion. In the evening, The Beatles held a party that lasted until 4am. Nicol was not invited.
The exclusion of Nicol from the evening party was a telling detail. His role was over: Ringo was back, and the brief, extraordinary chapter of Jimmie Nicol's life as a Beatle was closed. Nicol was paid Ā£500 for his services and given a gold watch inscribed "From The Beatles and Brian Epstein to Jimmie ā with appreciation and gratitude." He flew home the following day.
Jimmie Nicol: The End of an Era
Jimmie Nicol had performed with The Beatles on 11 dates across four countries ā Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Australia ā between 4 and 14 June 1964. His performances had been competent and professional under extraordinary pressure, and he had conducted himself with dignity throughout. But the transition back to anonymity, after eleven days at the centre of the most famous phenomenon in popular music, proved deeply disorienting. Nicol later spoke movingly about the experience, describing the sudden return to ordinary life as one of the most difficult things he had ever faced.
The 1964 World Tour
The 1964 world tour was one of the most ambitious touring campaigns in rock history, taking The Beatles to Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States between June and September 1964. The Australian leg ā which had opened with the extraordinary Adelaide reception on 12 June, when an estimated 300,000 people lined the streets ā continued with shows in Melbourne, Sydney, and other cities. Ringo's return on 14 June meant that the full Beatles lineup was restored for the remainder of the tour.
The Beatles in June 1964 (from 14 June)
- John Lennon ā vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica
- Paul McCartney ā vocals, bass guitar
- George Harrison ā lead guitar, vocals
- Ringo Starr ā drums, vocals
Key Facts: 14 June 1964
- Date: Sunday 14 June 1964
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel, Melbourne
- Ringo's arrival airport: Essendon Airport, Melbourne
- Crowd at hotel on Ringo's arrival: 3,000
- Crowd greeting the other three Beatles: 5,000
- Police escort: 12 motorcyclists
- Officers on crowd control: 300 police + 100 military
- Casualties: 150+ fainted; 50 hospitalised
- Stand-in drummer: Jimmie Nicol (4ā14 June 1964; Ā£500 + gold watch)
- Evening: Beatles party until 4am; Nicol not invited
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ringo Starr rejoin The Beatles in Australia?
Ringo Starr rejoined The Beatles in Melbourne, Australia on 14 June 1964, after almost two weeks apart due to tonsillitis and pharyngitis. He flew from Sydney to Essendon Airport in Melbourne, where 3,000 fans were waiting at the Southern Cross Hotel.
Who replaced Ringo Starr while he was ill in 1964?
Jimmie Nicol, a British session drummer, replaced Ringo Starr for 11 dates across Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Australia between 4 and 14 June 1964. He was paid Ā£500 and given a gold watch from The Beatles and Brian Epstein when his stint ended.
What happened when The Beatles arrived in Melbourne in 1964?
The scenes outside the Southern Cross Hotel were extraordinary. Army and navy troops were called in alongside 300 police officers and 100 military personnel. More than 150 girls fainted and 50 people were hospitalised. The Beatles were asked to wave from their first-floor windows to calm the crowd.
What did Ringo Starr say about rejoining The Beatles in Australia?
Ringo said: "It was fabulous in Australia, and of course, it was great to be back in the band ā that was a really nice moment. And they'd bought me presents in Hong Kong." He also recalled that travelling alone was deeply uncomfortable: "I was on my own and just automatically I looked round for the others. I couldn't stand it."
What happened to Jimmie Nicol after he left The Beatles?
Jimmie Nicol flew home after Ringo rejoined the tour on 14 June 1964. He was not invited to The Beatles' reunion party that evening. He later described the transition back to ordinary life after eleven days as a Beatle as deeply disorienting. His subsequent career never recaptured the brief spotlight of June 1964.
How many people came to see The Beatles in Melbourne in 1964?
Crowds of 3,000 greeted Ringo at the Southern Cross Hotel on his arrival, and 5,000 met the other three Beatles at the airport. The scenes outside the hotel required 300 police officers and 100 military personnel, with more than 150 people fainting and 50 hospitalised.
ā Ringo Starr's Sydney press conference ā 14 June 1964
ā The Beatles live: Centennial Hall, Adelaide ā 12 June 1964
ā 14 June in Beatles History
ā John Lennon | Paul McCartney | George Harrison | Ringo Starr
Shop Beatles Merch: The Beatles: Beatlemania Collection | Shop by Era
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