Thursday 3 September 2015

The Beatles: "Artists will not be required to perform before a segregated audience."

"We never play to segregated audiences and we aren't going to start now. I'd sooner lose our appearance money."
John Lennon



According to a contract and rider drawn up before a concert at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, in 1965, The Beatles required electricity and water, mirrors and clean towels in all dressing rooms, a minimum of 150 police officers for protection, a special drumming for Ringo Starr, ... and refused to play for segregated audiences although the management of the stadium insisted on a segregated show. At the end, the audience was integrated. The documents, by the way, were auctioned in September 2011 (via and via). In the US, The Beatles also had an issue with staying at the Hotel George Washington in Jacksonville, Florida, because of its segregation policy. They cancelled the rooms and stayed elsewhere (via and via).



::: Just wow: The Beatles Rooftop Concert 1969 London: WATCH



photographs of the legendary rooftop concert via and via and via

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