Exhibition closed Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st May 2024 due to event in venue.
This Exhibition is open Monday – Friday, 10am – 4pm.
Please check our exhibitions are open before travelling to the Guildhall on 023 9387 0200.
‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, – The Beatles at The Savoy and Portsmouth Guildhall 1963’ gives a fascinating insight into the rock sensation’s visits to the city from a variety of perspectives including those who were there and press reports of the time accompanied by images and articles, many of which have been reproduced with the permission of The News, Portsmouth.
When The Beatles first visited the Guildhall on 30th March 1963, they had been billed at the bottom of a package tour starring America’s Chris Montez and Tommy Roe, but by the time they reached the venue with what was the 20th and penultimate date of the tour, their fame had eclipsed that of the headliners and they played songs including Please, Please Me, Love Me Do and I Saw Her Standing There.
Their second Guildhall performance, due to take place on 12th November 1963, was postponed after Paul McCartney collapsed in his dressing room with gastric flu just hours before the show. With security measures “fit for an atom base” in place to combat near-riot warnings, police cars toured the city with loud-hailers to announce that the show was off.
The rescheduled show took place on 3rd December 1963, where it is widely reported the concert could not be heard above the screaming fans.
Mass hysteria, a black market of tickets amongst school children, “strong-armed men” to stop a rush on stage, how The Beatles were smuggled into the city in a van, burst water hoses, disappointment over fish and chips and much more – you can find out about it all!
It is FREE to visit this exhibition which is part of the Portsmouth Music Experience Exhibition at Portsmouth Guildhall.