I was just wondering, was anyone on here at the Beatles concert that took place in the Coliseum in August of 1966? It was about the time that the Beatles took some flak for the "bigger than Jesus" comment. I was just wondering if anyone knew what kind of a show it was: the atmosphere, the protests, the set. Are there any CA archives of it? I just kind of curious because I hit a spell this time of year every year where I watch the Anthology and listen to their discography nonstop.
They canceled the concert that was scheduled after John Lennon made that comment.
They must have internet access at the old folks home.
(04-27-2010 03:09 PM)SouthavenTiger Wrote: [ -> ]They canceled the concert that was scheduled after John Lennon made that comment.
Ah. Ok, thanks. I never figured out any details on it. I noticed the Liberty Bowl behind stock footage of a person walking down the street holding a "Beatles Go Home" sign from the Anthology.
I knew the "bigger-than-Jesus" comment had stirred up a sh*tstorm, but I had no idea that Beatles had ever felt compelled to actually cancel a scheduled appearance as a result. Interesting.
From listening to old interview footage of Lennon, it is curious how he would sometimes treat the whole thing as a joke, but other times speak in very defensive/resentful tone about it. The reaction in the US must have caught him at least somewhat by surprise, because the initial comment had been published in the UK and Europe a few months earlier and nobody seemed to notice. Perhaps in some way, that was an early example of how the secularization of British/European society was even then becoming noticeable in comparison with American society.
.........
I saw the thread and thought it was about the so-called "Texas Tower Shootings", but now realize that happened on August 1st '66, not the 19th...
I think KRB was there. I remember him saying that the Beatles ran out, played a short set of their least offensive stuff and got out as quick as they could.
They didn't cancel the concert. There was quite a bit of controversy, protesters, and more police than you could imagine. It was 8 days before my 14th birthday. There was a firecracker thrown on the stage, which freaked out a few folks. You really couldn't hear it that well, because of the girls screaming.
They played less than 30 minutes. Eleven or Twelve songs tops. I can remember , If I Needed Someone, Paperback Writer, Yesterday, She's a woman, Rock N Roll Music, Day Tripper. It was their last tour. Years later Lennon said, he knew it was the end of touring. All due to the backlash over his "More Popular that Jesus" comment.
I remember the Group The Cyrkle who played "Red Rubber Ball." A country guy who had a famous song out at the time. I just don't remember. I can almost hear the song though. The song was "Sunny", whoever recorded that. He was there. It was a very interesting evening for a soon to be 14 year old.
Cool. Thanks, KRB! I am a huge fan of the Beatles, primarily Paul. I know that they were in Memphis in 1965 visiting Elvis, and they might have been in Memphis again but their only official concert was the watered down one that you talk about. I would love to be able to see Day Tripper live.
(04-27-2010 10:52 PM)KRB Wrote: [ -> ]A country guy who had a famous song out at the time. I just don't remember. I can almost hear the song though. The song was "Sunny", whoever recorded that. He was there.
Bobby Hebb wrote the song and had the pop hit with it. And he did tour some with the Beatles that year. But he wasn't billed as a "Country" singer, at least I don't think he was.
(04-27-2010 11:08 PM)Native Georgian Wrote: [ -> ] (04-27-2010 10:52 PM)KRB Wrote: [ -> ]A country guy who had a famous song out at the time. I just don't remember. I can almost hear the song though. The song was "Sunny", whoever recorded that. He was there.
Bobby Hebb wrote the song and had the pop hit with it. And he did tour some with the Beatles that year. But he wasn't billed as a "Country" singer, at least I don't think he was.
No he's not country. R&B. I did forget that the Ronettes were there. Bobby Hebb was a name that had slipped my mind.
(04-27-2010 06:03 PM)ballen Wrote: [ -> ]They did not cancel the concert, but they decided to stop touring after someone lit a firecracker on stage during the evening performance.
http://murrays15.podomatic.com/entry/eg/...7_44-07_00
Thanks for the clarification. I would have lost that bet. My memory is obviously hazy. As in purple.