Rolling Stones Draw Screams from Teens at San Bernardino Concert

Oct. 31, 1964 - The Rolling Stones came to San Bernardino, Calif., tonight with loud music, gyrating musicians, and 4,000 screaming teenagers. Nevertheless, peace reigned at Swing Auditorium. (Pictured below is lead singer Mick Jagger backstage with fan Wendy Nicholass.)

The picture of tranquility was painted tonight by Sheriff’s Lieutenant Eugene L. Majors, who headed a team of 30 officers at the auditorium during the show.

“Deputies found little to do but listen to the music,” Majors observed. “It’s all a matter of psychology.”

The officers raised the stage, set out a 20-foot “no man’s land” in front, and warned that they would stop the concert if trouble began.

Well briefed on the sheriff’s tactics, the Rolling Stones apparently gave one of their best performances under a satisfying shield of law.

The hit of the evening was “Route 66.” The song advises you to “get your kicks on Route 66.” When the Stones reached the phrase “…Barstow, San Bernardino…” it sounded like New York’s Times Square on V-E Day.

When the last loud notes of Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” had sounded, the quintet dashed from the stage and disappeared out a rear entrance as the youngsters pressed the pursuit.

“We got them into a private car and on their way before the teenagers knew what happened,” Majors said.

Most of the enthusiastic audience had crowded around the bus in which the five performers arrived. But the private car technique for the departure apparently spoiled the deluge.

It didn’t, however, dampen the teenage enthusiasm.

“Do you know those youngsters waited for over an hour behind the auditorium to greet their idols after the performance?” Majors asked, shaking his head.

“They just couldn’t believe we were telling them the truth that the quintet had already departed.”

Before the concert, Keith Richards, interviewed by teen journalist John Morthland, destroyed a myth known as the “Mersey Beat,” the name applied to the current music coming from England.

“Actually, there’s no such thing as the ‘Mersey Beat,’” he said. “It’s just a lot of groups coming from Liverpool of which the Beatles are the best. We’re from London ourselves.”

Keith then related two occasions in England when the Stones played on the same ticket with the Beatles.

“Once was in Wembley, about a year ago. The other time was about 18 months ago. I don’t know how many people the auditoriums held, but they were completely filled. It was marvelous.”
Bass guitarist Bill Wyman added: “In the United States, we usually get our best reception here in California and in New York. Our fans are very good to us in America.”

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