The
event had been an annual fixture in the Hall’s calendar since 1958 and
showcased leading stars in the world of pop music. This 1963 concert, however,
has gone down in history as the first of only two occasions in which The
Rolling Stones and The Beatles would appear on the same bill.
50 years
on, the Royal Albert Hall will celebrate this moment of musical history with an
exhibition of photographs, posters and artwork. It was perhaps not until years
later that the significance of these bands performing on the same bill would be
realised.
At the
time both bands were only just starting to experience the hysteria that would
follow them for the next few years (the word ‘Beatlemania’, used to describe
the intense fan frenzy directed at The Beatles, was first used only a few weeks
after this concert) and the hysterics on the day were similar to what the two
bands were used to, however this was a new phenomenon for the Royal Albert Hall
to deal with.
At the
time, the Daily Mirror wrote of the scene at the Hall:
“It was
the siege of the Beatle-crushers … 6,000 screaming teenagers intent on crushing
just four Beatles. Never has the Royal Albert Hall seen scenes quite like it.
Even for Britain’s newly-elected top vocal group, the Beatles, it was
bewildering… They were the target for anything the teenagers could lay their
hands on. Girls swept out of their seats and tried to rush the stage. They were
repelled by a solid block of forty commissionaires. After their final hit
number, Twist and Shout, the four Beatles fled from the stage and out of the
Hall into a waiting cab.”
Of
course, the following years resulted in unprecedented success for both bands
all around the world, but the lucky ticketholders on this September day in 1963
were treated to energetic performances from two bands on the brink of
international superstardom.
The
concert itself was compered by radio DJ Alan Freeman and also included
performances from the likes of Kenny Lynch, The Viscounts and the Lorne Gibson
Trio.
50th Anniversary Exhibition
To
celebrate the 50th anniversary of this magical moment in the Royal Albert
Hall’s history, the Hall will host The Great Pop Prom 50th Anniversary
Exhibition from 21 September – 22 October.
Presented
in conjunction with Getty Images Gallery, mirrorpix and artist John Pasche, who
famously designed The Rolling Stones’ trademark ‘Tongue and Lip Design’ logo in
1971, the exhibition will display rare contemporary prints from the historic
day, as well as original Pasche posters and artwork from his personal
collection. The exhibition will be on the Hall’s Ground Floor Corridor and can
be viewed when attending performances between 21 September and 22 October 2013.
The
exhibition is free to view and can also be viewed between 10am and 4pm (3.30pm
on 22 September) on one of the following open days: -
Sunday
22 September
Saturday
28 September
Saturday
5 October
Saturday
19 October
Entry is
free and accessible via the Café Bar at Door 12.
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