On 14 April 1963, The Beatles took advantage of a rare night off to visit Richmond, London, where they saw an emerging rhythm and blues group — The Rolling Stones — perform live for the first time. The visit followed their third appearance on Thank Your Lucky Stars, where they had mimed to From Me To You.

The Crawdaddy Club Performance

The Rolling Stones were performing at the Crawdaddy Club, located in the Station Hotel at 1 Kew Road, Richmond, where they were the resident band. George Harrison later recalled:

“We’d been at Teddington taping Thank Your Lucky Stars, miming to ‘From Me To You’, and we went to Richmond afterwards and met them. They were still on the club scene, stomping about, doing R&B tunes. The music they were playing was more like we’d been doing before we’d got out of our leather suits to try and get onto record labels and television. We’d calmed down by then.”

Style and Image

The Beatles arrived wearing matching long suede leather jackets purchased during their Hamburg trips. Paul McCartney recalled:

“Mick tells the tale of seeing us there with long suede coats that we’d picked up in Hamburg, coats that no one could get in England. He thought, ‘Right – I want to be in the music business; I want one of those coats.’”

First Impressions of The Stones

Ringo Starr remembered the impact of seeing the band live:

“I remember standing in some sweaty room and watching them on the stage, Keith and Brian – wow! I knew then that the Stones were great. They just had presence.”

Early Musical Exchange

John Lennon recalled a conversation with Brian Jones about harmonica technique, reflecting the shared musical influences between the two groups. The encounter marked the beginning of a relationship rooted in mutual respect rather than rivalry.

Historical Significance

This meeting marked the first documented encounter between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones — two bands who would go on to define the sound and image of 1960s popular music.

Location

FAQ

Where did The Beatles first see The Rolling Stones?

At the Crawdaddy Club in the Station Hotel, Richmond, London.

What style were The Rolling Stones playing?

Primarily American rhythm and blues, reflecting their early influences.

Did The Beatles interact with The Stones?

Yes, they spoke after the performance and formed an early connection.

Why is this event important?

It marks the first meeting between two of the most influential bands in rock history.