Sunday 12 July 1964 | Hippodrome, Brighton, England
The Beatles performed at the Hippodrome in Brighton on 12 July 1964. It was the first of five consecutive Sunday concerts at English seaside resorts — a summer series that took the group to the coast while Beatlemania continued to grip Britain.
George Harrison's Car Accident
On the way to the Brighton Hippodrome, George Harrison was involved in a minor road accident while driving his new E-Type Jaguar on the New Kings Road in Fulham, London. The incident drew immediate attention from passers-by, who collected bits of broken glass from the scene as souvenirs.
The Bill
One of the support acts at the Brighton Hippodrome was the Shubdubs, whose drummer was Jimmie Nicol. Nicol had performed with The Beatles during part of their June 1964 world tour after Ringo Starr was taken ill with tonsillitis and pharyngitis on the eve of the tour's departure. Nicol stood in for Starr at shows in Denmark, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Australia before Ringo recovered and rejoined the group.
I had a band and Brian put us on the same bill with The Beatles and The Fourmost one night. Backstage, we talked, but the wind had changed since we last saw each other. They were pleasant.
Jimmie Nicol, 1987
Also on the bill were The Fourmost, a Liverpool band managed by Brian Epstein. The Fourmost had scored a top ten hit with 'Hello Little Girl' — a Lennon-McCartney composition — in 1963.
The Beatles at Brighton's Hippodrome
The Beatles had previously performed at Brighton's Hippodrome on 2 June 1963, and returned for a final visit on 25 October 1964. The July 1964 show came just six days after the world premiere of A Hard Day's Night at the London Pavilion on 6 July 1964, at which Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon were in attendance.
Key Facts: 12 July 1964
| Date | Sunday 12 July 1964 |
| Venue | Hippodrome, Brighton, England |
| Show type | 1st of 5 consecutive Sunday seaside concerts |
| Support acts | The Shubdubs (feat. Jimmie Nicol), The Fourmost |
| Lineup | Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Starr |
| Previous visit | 2 June 1963 |
| Next visit | 25 October 1964 |
| Context | 6 days after the world premiere of A Hard Day's Night (6 July 1964) |
Brighton Hippodrome — where The Beatles performed three times between June 1963 and October 1964.
The Beatles: A Hard Day's Night
The film had premiered just six days before this Brighton show. Officially licensed Beatles merch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times did The Beatles play Brighton's Hippodrome?
The Beatles performed at Brighton's Hippodrome three times: on 2 June 1963, 12 July 1964, and 25 October 1964.
Who was Jimmie Nicol and why was he on the bill?
Jimmie Nicol was the drummer who stood in for Ringo Starr during part of The Beatles' June 1964 world tour, after Ringo was taken ill. At Brighton, Nicol was performing with his own band, the Shubdubs, who were one of the support acts.
What happened to George Harrison on the way to Brighton?
George Harrison was involved in a minor road accident while driving his new E-Type Jaguar on the New Kings Road in Fulham, London. Passing pedestrians collected pieces of broken glass as souvenirs.
Who were The Fourmost?
The Fourmost were a Liverpool band managed by Brian Epstein who appeared on the same bill as The Beatles at Brighton. They had scored a top ten hit in 1963 with 'Hello Little Girl', a Lennon-McCartney composition.
What was happening in The Beatles' career in July 1964?
In July 1964 The Beatles were at the peak of their early fame. The film A Hard Day's Night had premiered in London on 6 July, just six days before this Brighton show, and the accompanying album was about to be released.
→ 12 July in Beatles History
→ July in Beatles History
→ John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
Shop: Beatles T-shirts | Beatles merch by era | Wall art & posters | Mugs & drinkware
0 comments