The Beatles

London Hammersmith Odeon

January 15, 1965

The ticket was a present from Uncle Pete, received in astonishment on Boxing Day. Three weeks later I sat on the back of his Lambretta scooter and we whizzed down Chiswick High Road.

The Odeon was swarming with fans leaving the early show. Inside, the noise was unlike anything I’d ever heard. Girls fainted into the arms of St John’s Ambulance men. Some group called The Yardbirds sauntered on. Pete pointed out Eric Clapton.

After a hiatus, they appeared on stage! We levitated. John, Paul, George and Ringo were dressed as Arctic explorers in search of the yeti, also and performed other variety-show sketches. Intermission: snack ladies selling Kia-Ora’s and Wall’s ice creams.

Finally, at 9.45 the boys swept on stage and delivered the goods. The 11 songs began with Twist And Shout and ended with Long Tall Sally - battle of the larynxes for John and Paul. Four numbers from Beatles For Sale included a classic Baby’s In Black, the modern

I’m A Loser, George’s Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby (Ringo sang Honey Don’t) and Rock And Roll Music. But the singles! Can’t Buy Me Love and A Hard Day’s Night… they creamed that Odeon. It was the sound and smell of the future. So good to be alive in ’65.