In 1961, one of the earliest Beatles concert posters ever, from their December 9 show at the, “Battle of the Bands” in Aldershot, 30 miles outside London. This show was The Beatles’ first live performance in the south of England and took place the same night as their informal London debut. But this date was legendary as this was the night the Beatles performed for an audience of only 18 people.
Promoter Sam Leach’s advertisement failed to run in the local paper, and the Beatles arrived, after a nine hour bus journey from Liverpool, to an empty hall. Leach ran around to local pubs offering free admission and was eventually able to round up 18 people for The Beatles performance.
The Beatles, with original drummer Pete Best, were as the poster read, “Direct from their German Tour” playing in Hamburg for one night, along with Ivor Jay & the Jaywalkers, billed as “One of London’s Top Beat Groups” they were virtually unknown, and adding to the confusion, they never showed up. While this was billed as the first in a series of “Big Beat Sessions,” it was the Beatles’ first and last performance in this series.
There are only two examples of this poster known to exist, a third copy surfaced some years ago, but it is missing much of its right edge. A truly extraordinary Beatles collectible from their earliest days.
An extremely rare typed and signed letter sent by The Beatles to Atlanta DJ Paul Drew, who traveled with them during their 1964 and 1965 U.S. Tours; along with a typed and signed letter from Beatles press officer Tony Barrow, confirming details for the 1965 tour.
On both the ’64 and ’65 tours, Drew accompanied The Beatles on their chartered plane, interviewing the group many times, and introducing them at their August 18, 1965 concert at Atlanta Stadium. Drew went on to become one of the most important radio programmers in the America, and interviewed the individual Beatles numerous times after the group split
Tony Barrow’s letter, also on NEMS stationery, is dated August 5, 1965 and gives Drew details for the upcoming tour. The Beatles also wrote to Drew on September 6, 1965, six days after the end of their second U.S. Tour, and only six days before beginning recording sessions for Rubber Soul.
On NEMS stationery The Beatles write “Dear Paul, We just thought that we would like to write to you all and say thanks very much for your help on the tour. We enjoyed it and appreciated your patience and co-operation. Hope to see You Next Year.” John Lennon, Paul McCartney and John Lennon each sign with their first names, reflecting their then close relationship with Drew. George Harrison signs with his first and last names.
Any official NEMS correspondence having to do with The Beatles is rare and highly collectible. These two pieces are truly extraordinary; the first one of a very few signed letters from The Beatles, and the second, a letter regarding their second U.S. Tour from their legendary publicist to a Beatles insider.
