The Beat Ballad Show Tour
| Tour by Johnny Gentle and the Beatles | |
| Location | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Start date | May 20, 1960 |
| End date | May 28, 1960 |
| Number of shows | 7 |
The Beat Ballad Show Tour was a 1960 tour of Scotland by singer Johnny Gentle, backed by the Beatles (billed as Johnny Gentle and His Group).[1][2] It was the first-ever concert tour by the Beatles.
Background
On 10 May, the Beatles competed with other local Liverpool bands in an audition for talent manager Larry Parnes for a chance to back singer Billy Fury on a summer tour called "Idols on Parade".[3] There was also an opportunity for the second-best band to back singers Duffy Power and Johnny Gentle in a tour of Scotland beginning in June. However, Beatles drummer Tommy Moore arrived late, forcing another drummer to sit in with the band. Parnes and Fury were also unimpressed with bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, and the Beatles were turned down for either spot.
However, a few days later, Parnes soon contacted Beatles manager Allan Williams, as Gentle needed a backing group for a Scottish tour beginning 20 May. The Beatles were the only group Williams could book on such short notice, and they got the job.[4]
The Tour
For the tour, the Beatles adopted stage names - John Lennon became known as "Johnny Lennon", Paul McCartney was "Paul Ramon", George Harrison was "Carl Harrison", Stu Sutcliffe was Stuart de Staël, and Tommy Moore was "Thomas Moore". The band was very underehearsed, barely knowing the songs they were to perform with Gentle.[5] Gentle and the Beatles were friendly with each other on the tour, and Lennon contributed to a song Gentle was writing, "I've Just Fallen For Someone".[6]
The exact songs played on the tour are unknown. It is known that the Beatles performed by themselves before Gentle came on the stage. Harrison would remember performing "Teddy Bear" and "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" by Elvis Presley.[5] Other sources report that they played "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" and "Raining in My Heart" by Buddy Holly, "I Need Your Love Tonight" by Elvis Presley, "Poor Little Fool" by Ricky Nelson, "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do" by Clarence "Frogman" Henry, "C'mon Everybody" by Eddie Cochran, and "He'll Have to Go" by Jim Reeves.[7]
Dates
| Date[8] | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 1960 | Alloa | Scotland | Town Hall |
| 21 May 1960 | Inverness | Northern Meeting Hall | |
| 23 May 1960 | Fraserburgh | Dalrymple Hall | |
| 25 May 1960 | Keith | St Thomas’ Hall | |
| 26 May 1960 | Forres | Town Hall | |
| 27 May 1960 | Nairn | Regal Ballroom | |
| 28 May 1960 | Peterhead | Rescue Hall |
Tour band
- Johnny Gentle - vocals
- Johnny Lennon - rhythm guitar, vocals[5]
- Paul Ramon - rhythm guitar
- Carl Harrison - lead guitar
- Stuart de Staël - bass guitar
- Thomas Moore - drums
References
- Lewisohn, Mark (2013). The Beatles: All These Years, Vol. 1: Tune In. Crown Archetype. ISBN 978-1-4000-8305-3.
