Sept. 5, 1964 - There is a calm and dispassionate way to report today’s visit of the Beatles to Chicago.
But there is a real challenge involved. Even an objective appraisal of their impact upon the more than 25,000 teenagers who followed them about through the afternoon and evening will sound hysterical.
Everything you’ve heard about the effect the Beatles have on teenagers is true. They walk out on stage in a place like the International Amphitheater, and everyone goes absolutely wild.
Young girls leap to their feet and begin to wave their arms and scream. They keep screaming until the Beatles have finished their song. And then they start screaming all over again. There is a real danger to the inner ear.
The show lasted for two hours. It was filled in for the first 90 minutes by musicians who have never been heard on the national circuit before. The Beatles spent 30 minutes on stage and were reportedly paid $30,000.
You can’t begrudge them the money because of lack of talent. The only question had to be about the money that must be supplied by Chicagoans for police protection.
It was necessary.
Ringo Starr expressed his appreciation for the work of the police during a press conference.
“What do you think would happen to you if the police didn’t protect you?” a reporter asked.
“I think they’d kill us,” said Ringo. He smiled as he said it, but you knew he meant it.
The Beatles were guided by a 300-man contingent of police, backed up by 150 firemen and 200 ushers during their appearance.
Every one of them was needed.
If it weren’t for the fact that ushers and policemen were controlling the audience at every instant of the performance, it might very well have ended in disaster.
“I feel sorry for them,” one mother was heard to say after the show was over.
“Who do you mean?” asked another mother. “The Beatles or the girls?”
“The Beatles,” replied the first mother. “What will happen to them when all this adulation has passed them by?”
Even though the show was not scheduled to begin until 8:30 p.m., hundreds of young Beatle fans were lined up at the amphitheater doors at dawn.
At a press conference at the Stock Yards Inn this afternoon, Ringo Starr predicted Lyndon Johnson would be the next President. John Lennon explained that it takes him longer to dry his hair because it is longer. Paul McCartney said he was looking forward to seeing Chicago’s gangsters with their broad-brimmed hats and wide ties. George Harrison didn’t say anything.
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