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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAugust 14, 1966 -- the Beatles in Cleveland
An article from 2016.
Attendance was 24,000.
"But with tickets selling for $3 to $5.50, WIXY dreamed of attendance hitting 70,000, notes author Deanna Adams, whose books include the history "Rock 'n' Roll and the Cleveland Connection." Promoters considered the concert a "dismal failure."
One reason was the U.S. publication, only days earlier, of an interview with John Lennon that originally appeared five months earlier in the London Evening Standard, without much notice. Interviewer Maureen Cleave wrote that Lennon was "reading extensively about religion," and quoted him saying: "We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first -- rock 'n' roll or Christianity."
Lennon's comment in context was an observation about religion losing its connection with youth. It was taken, especially in the South, as an anti-Christian boast, and it led to the banning and burning of Beatles records and memorabilia. The fierce reaction threatened to stop the tour.
"I'm sure it was because of the parents, not so much the kids," Adams said. "As kids, I think we were smart enough to understand what Lennon was saying." But concert attendance was affected because, in many cases, "the parents dropped off the kids and picked them up afterward."
The Hough riots, three weeks earlier, also left some leery of going downtown. A wet and chilly night didn't add to the appeal.
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/08/remembering_the_beatles_1966_cleveland_show_50_years_on.html
Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)The Catholic school I attended sent all the kids wearing Beatles clothing home to change.
sinkingfeeling
(51,457 posts)PatSeg
(47,430 posts)Wow!
Ohiogal
(31,999 posts)how it cost $200 recently to see Ringo by himself!
PatSeg
(47,430 posts)Also it was more about the music and less about the "show".
Bengus81
(6,931 posts)At least the Beatles weren't running a CON JOB on those buying tickets like Baker and Tammi were with those time share "tickets".
Bengus81
(6,931 posts)Paid $275 per ticket years ago when Elton John and Billy Joel were touring.
lpbk2713
(42,757 posts)But decided against it after hearing on news reports that they couldn't be heard
in other venues from all the screaming.
According to this article their performance was picketed by the Klan and because
of this and other stops in this tour they decided to do no more tours.
Link: http://www.wknofm.org/post/beatles-memphis
Vinca
(50,271 posts)Her parents (the best ones on the planet) took us to the 2 shows in Chicago as well. It was so much fun!