The Beatles Live at ABC Cinema, Croydon – 21 March 1963

The Beatles Live at ABC Cinema, Croydon – 21 March 1963

Thursday 21 March 1963 | Live

On 21 March 1963, The Beatles performed at the ABC Cinema in West Croydon, as part of their UK tour alongside Chris Montez and Tommy Roe.

The concert took place shortly after the band had recorded a BBC radio session for On The Scene earlier that day at Piccadilly Studios in London, highlighting the demanding schedule The Beatles maintained during their rapid rise in early 1963.

The Tour with Chris Montez and Tommy Roe

The Beatles were part of a nationwide package tour headlined by American artists Chris Montez and Tommy Roe. However, as the tour progressed, audience demand for The Beatles increasingly overshadowed the billed headliners.

By this point, the band's growing popularity meant they were often the main attraction, despite their lower billing on the tour posters.

The Beatles' Setlist

During the tour, The Beatles performed a tight six-song set, reflecting their early live repertoire:

  • Love Me Do
  • Misery
  • A Taste Of Honey
  • Do You Want To Know A Secret
  • Please Please Me
  • I Saw Her Standing There

These performances featured material from their debut album Please Please Me, which had been released just days earlier on 22 March 1963.

The ABC Cinema, Croydon

The ABC Cinema in Croydon was a large and popular venue, with a seating capacity of approximately 2,118.

The building originally opened in March 1936 as the Savoy Cinema. After closing for reconstruction in July 1958, it reopened later that year under the ABC branding.

Over the years, the venue hosted a wide range of major music acts, including:

  • Billy Fury
  • Cliff Richard
  • Gene Pitney
  • The Everly Brothers

The Beatles' appearance on 21 March 1963 was their only performance at the venue.

Later History of the Venue

In later decades, the building underwent several name changes, becoming the Cannon Cinema in 1986 and later the Safari Cinema in the 1990s.

The venue eventually closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2005, bringing an end to its long history as a key entertainment venue in Croydon.

The Beatles in March 1963

By March 1963, The Beatles were on the brink of national stardom. Their debut album Please Please Me was about to be released, and their relentless schedule of touring, recording and broadcasting was rapidly expanding their audience.

Concerts such as the one at Croydon's ABC Cinema helped establish their reputation across the UK, paving the way for the explosion of Beatlemania later that year.

Location

ABC Cinema (former site)
West Croydon
London
England

Site of the former ABC Cinema where The Beatles performed on 21 March 1963. The building was demolished in 2005.

FAQs

When did The Beatles perform at ABC Cinema Croydon?

The Beatles performed at the ABC Cinema in Croydon on 21 March 1963.

What songs did The Beatles perform on this tour?

Their setlist included 'Love Me Do', 'Misery', 'A Taste Of Honey', 'Do You Want To Know A Secret', 'Please Please Me' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'.

Does the ABC Cinema still exist?

No. The building closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2005.

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