The Beatles Live at the Odeon Cinema, Lewisham – 29 March 1963
Friday 29 March 1963 | Live
On 29 March 1963, The Beatles performed their first concert at the Odeon Cinema in Lewisham, London. This was part of their tour with Chris Montez and Tommy Roe.
The group’s setlist for this tour included six songs: ‘Love Me Do’, ‘Misery’, ‘A Taste Of Honey’, ‘Do You Want To Know A Secret’, ‘Please Please Me’, and ‘I Saw Her Standing There’.
Return Performance
The Beatles returned to the Lewisham Odeon on one other occasion, on 8 December 1963. This highlights the venue’s role in early London Beatles history, bridging their initial tours before Beatlemania exploded worldwide.
Venue History
The building opened as the Gaumont Palace in 1932 and operated as a cinema until 1981. After closure, it was repurposed several times — including as a bingo hall, nightclub, and pool club — before being demolished in 1991 during road widening works.
Paul McCartney Returns
Paul McCartney later returned to the Lewisham Odeon with Wings on 3 December 1979 during their final tour, marking a nostalgic return to one of his early London performance venues.
Location: Odeon Cinema, Lewisham
Lewisham
London
England
Historic London venue where The Beatles performed in 1963.
FAQs
When did The Beatles first play the Lewisham Odeon?
On 29 March 1963, during a tour with Chris Montez and Tommy Roe.
Did The Beatles return to this venue?
Yes, they performed again on 8 December 1963.
What happened to the Odeon Cinema?
It closed as a cinema in 1981, became a bingo hall, nightclub, and pool club, and was demolished in 1991.
Did any Beatles return there later?
Paul McCartney returned with Wings on 3 December 1979 during their final tour.
Explore More Beatles Live History
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