Sept. 16, 1964 - The Beatles performed in New Orleans tonight before a capacity crowd of 12,000 at the City Park Stadium.
During the afternoon, Mayor Victor Schiro arrived the quartet’s hotel to give them a key to the city. The Mayor then proclaimed September 16 “Beatles Day” in New Orleans.
The stage at the Stadium was situated on the far side of the venue, well away from the audience. However, during the performance of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” more than 100 fans broke through a police cordon and ran across the field toward the stage. It took 225 police officers more than 20 minutes before order was restored, with mounted police patrolling the area of the breach.
After the fans’ attempted stage invasion, John Lennon remarked: “We’d like to continue with our next number if you would stop playing football in the middle of the field.”
Prior to the final song, “Long Tall Sally,” Paul McCartney told the crowd: “We’d like to thank everybody for coming, including the football players.”
Around 200 fans collapsed through excitement and exhaustion. One girl broke her arm but refused hospital treatment until the show had ended.
The Beatles’ performance lasted just half an hour. The other acts on the bill were the Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, and Jackie DeShannon. Henry joined the tour in Philadelphia two weeks ago, replacing The Righteous Brothers, who had complained that the crowds were more interested in screaming for the Beatles than listening to them sing.
Before leaving New Orleans, the Beatles had one major request: they wanted to meet Fats Domino (pictured). The musician agreed to meet the lads in their dressing room immediately prior to their performance.
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