Joey ?1964: Beatlemania hits New Orleans
Published: Wednesday, December 07, 2011, 11:59 PM
By The Times-Picayune
Beatlemania hit New Orleans on Sept. 16, 1964, when the Fab Four played a sold-out show at City Park.
The Times-Picayune
Many New Orleans fans were overcome with excitement, the newspaper reported.
The British pop stars were mobbed by fans at their hotel on Chef Menteur Highway. They signed autographs for Mayor Vic Schiro, who presented them with the key to the city and declared “Beatles Day.” The four Brits also met Fats Domino.
Thousands of frenzied fans bought $5 tickets for the group's only New Orleans concert, at what’s now known as Tad Gormley Stadium. One person offered tickets at a discounted price in The Times-Picayune’s classifieds. The ad read: "Have block of 25 tickets to see the Beatles at City Park, Sept. 16. Sacrifice $3.50 each."
More than 200 police officers provided security at the concert, but a riot nearly broke out when fans rushed onto the field toward the stage. Police reported they administered "spirits of ammonia" to more than 200 people during the performance.
The British group pronounced their visit to New Orleans the “roughest” of their 1964 U.S. tour. But they weren't referring to the concert itself. A helicopter scheduled to fly the four musicians to their motel blew a tire and replacement limousines were incorrectly dispatched to New Orleans International Airport. Their flight was diverted there, which left New Orleans City Councilman Daniel Kelly scrambling across town, first to the airport and then to the group's motel on Chef Menteur Highway, in a vain attempt to present them with Mayor Victor Schiro's 'Beatles Day' proclamation.
The band's vehicle took a different path from the others, so fans lining the planned route to the motel never got a glimpse of them. At the Congress Inn, their limo backed into a Kenner police car as it sought to maneuver through the crowd. The foursome dashed into the lobby, through a utility room and finally into Room 100.
The next day Mayor Schiro presented the group with the key to the city, and John Lennon responded: "I want to put my arm around you. You look like a nice fellow, Lord Mayor."
After the band's performance that night at 9:30, they boys were whisked away to their next stop on the tour: Kansas City.
Beatles fan Karen De Hority sobs after her idols passed her at the Congress Inn. 'I saw them but I wanted to touch them,' she wailed. Kenner deputy Anthony Genusa looks on disbelievingly. Sept. 16, 1964
Early on the morning of Sept. 16, 1964, a series of mishaps left these girls gathered at Lakefront Airport to greet the Beatles, but it was the wrong airport.
The Beatles themselves arrive at their motel in New Orleans before their appearance at City Park Stadium. At left front is Ringo Starr. Left rear is Paul McCartney. John Lennon wears the dark glasses. Part of George Harrison's head is at lower left. Dereck Taylor, one of their agents, shows them a newspaper.
Ardent fans enjoy the Beatles' performance at City Park.
http://www.nola.com/175years/index.ssf/2011/12/1964_beatlemania_hits_new_orle.ht...
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