Full line-up

“The breakdown of the supporting acts on the Beatles Caird Hall appearance in 1963 brought requests to name the full line-up on the Fab Four’s double-header show a year later in Dundee,” writes Fraser Elder.

“The enquiries centred on the name of the Scottish group which featured in the show. Mainly staged by the Brian Epstein Organisation, the UK tour took in 26 dates with Dundee the most northerly on the roster. More than 6,000 tickets were on offer for two backto-back shows with prices starting at 10 shillings! The demand was such from the north of Scotland that a section of the Caird Hall was allocated to Aberdeen fans.

“The show’s co-star was soul singer Mary Wells, crowned the Queen of Motown. Prior to the Dundee gig, Mary blotted her copybook in an interview with yours truly during a stopover in St Fillan’s by stating she was less than impressed with Scotland.

“On the undercard, Liverpool lad Tommy Quickly was backed by the group Sounds Incorporated. English groups The Remo Four and The Rustiks also featured with Bolton-born solo singer Michael Haslam who later went on to star in Broadway shows in the USA.

“The Scottish pop scene was represented by Tommy Dene and the Tremors who played a double role in the hectic proceedings. Following their musical contribution, the Aberdeen group acted as front of stage stewards during both houses while the Beatles were performing!

“The anchorman for the show was American guitar legend Bob Bain who created themes for TV shows such as M.A.S.H, Mission Impossible, The Munsters and particularly, the throbbing guitar riff sound track for the Peter Gunn detective series.

“The road show moved to Glasgow and ended in Bristol after featuring the last tour in Scotland by the century’s most famous group.”

“Find your own island” this swan on Forfar Loch seems to be saying. Reader John Crichton sent in the photograph.