Beatles Shea Stadium Second Appearance Disappoint Anticipated Tickets Sellout
NEW YORK — There were certain unmistakable signs at Shea Stadium Tuesday night (Aug. 23) that the phenomenal popularity enjoyed by the Beatles has begun to wane. Although their 35-minute concert netted them a whopping $189,000, the Liverpool moppets drew only 45,000 fans compared with the capacity crowd of 55,000 that jammed the ball park for last year’s show.
Perhaps a more significant omen came from being able to understand some of the lyrics to the group’s 11 songs, including “Yesterday,” “If I Needed Someone” and “Paperback Writer.” In their previous appearances, the din of hysterical, teen-age girls drowned out all sound emanating from the highly amplified speakers.
Another indication that the Capitol Records stars are declining in popularity was the reaction, or lack of reaction, of the screaming Beatlemaniacs. In contrast to last year’s concert, when the young teeners in the lower boxes stormed the stage en masse, only a score of hysteria-clutched fans braved the bolstered police lines (upward of 400 on the field).
It’s doubtful that recent statements from John Lennon, concerning the status of Christianity in the world today, caused a dip in attendance. It is more likely that the mop-tops have saturated the market.
Whatever the reason, it seems that the Beatles have begun the long, slow downward journey, even though their concerts will attract thousands and their records will continue to gross millions for some time.
Other groups that shared a slice of the $292,000 gross, and a much smaller share of the crowd’s enthusiasm, were the Cyrkle, the Remains, the Ronettes and Bobby Hebb. The WMCA Good Guys, Murray the K, “Cousin Brucie” Morrow and Hal Jackson handled the emcee chores for producer Sid Bernstein.
Are the Beatles on the Wane?
The Beatles appearance in Boston (August 18) created only wild enthusiasm for 20,000 youngsters and left next day $60,000 richer. Attendance of 30,000 was hoped for. It is reported that Frank Connelly, impresario of the big Framingham Carosel Theater, who staged the show, took in a gross of from $125,000 to $160,000. Tickets were scaled at $4.75 and $5.75.
The more than 350 State and local police kept the crowd orderly, had little trouble in handling the few recalcitrants who jumped fences and got onto the vast infield where the stage was set up. Local deejays tried to calm the crowd, but in this modern trend, the audience wanted to be the show.
The Remains performed in a nasal imitation of the Beatles; Bobby Hebb and the Cyrkle went on to the thunderous rumble and good-natured screams of the crowd. Then three slim girls in gold-lace dresses, the Ronettes, tried to make themselves heard.
Finally at 9:55 p.m. the Liverpool group sang “If I Needed Someone” to the screaming crowd. And at 10:25 p.m. it was all over. The Beatles gave all they had and it was a good show. END
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Information, credit and news source: Billboard, September 3, 1966
