Above Video: 1964 Beatles highlight reel by EMI

In 1964 the Band began a tour of gigantic proportions. The World Tour's 1st show was on 4th June 1964  in Copanhagen, Demark they then travelled to the Netherlands for 3 shows. Jetted into Hong Kong, the shortest runway in the world I've heard (is that true? probably another taken over in the susequent years!) then Down Under to Australia.  

At the time Australia was an isolated, British outpost. Not everyone owned a television. Overseas travel was prohibitively expensive, and so were international phone calls. 

They were in Australia for less than a fortnight - the 12th to the 30th June. Paul would celebrate a birthday in Sydney and  we, Australia, would never be the same again.  

https://youtu.be/RKFf0__ZohU

It all started on June 11 with a scheduled flight from Hong Kong's Kai Tak, refuelling in Darwin where Australia witnessed the first manifestation of Beatlemania; at 2.35 on a winter's morning 400 fans crowded the little terminal to see John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and stand-in drummer Jimmy Nicol pass through Customs and Immigration.  

 Ringo had collapsed at a photo shoot in London on June 3 and was having his tonsils removed. He re joined the group later.  Just 27 hours after picking up the phone Nicol was playing on stage before 4000 fans; the newest Beatle, even dressed in Ringo's ill-fitting suit. George Harrison was unhappy and said I'm not going either but Brian Epstein said 'think of the fans'  They went with Jimmy. Imagine how poor Richie was feeling :(

Southern Cross Hotel Melbourne

Epstein had verbally agreed that the band would do the Australasian tour for 1500 pounds a week organised in late '63. Soon after, Beatlemania swamped the globe and Epstein could command 20 times that, but he and Brodziak agreed that the price would be upped to only 2500 pounds. Brian was a gentleman in that regard.  Support acts were Sounds Incorporated, Johnny Chester, Johnny Devlin and The Phantoms.

The Beatles would fly from Sydney to Adelaide for their first Australian appearance.   Adelaide wasnt on the tour until a petition made seemingly overnight landed on Epstein and the promotors 80000 wanted the boys to pay vist. Almost half the population of the state lined the route from Adelaide Airport to the city — perhaps more than 300,000 people. Various Beatles including John said after that it had been their biggest reception.

https://youtu.be/Wyrs5uR-nwc

 At the end of each show the national anthem was played— God Save the Queen — to be played. A loyal audience rose to its feet, briefly silenced. By the time the screaming started again the Beatles had left the building.  

Melbourne and Richie is back, the fans were such a crush outside the hotel that Sunday afternoon that navy and army cadets were summoned to help the 300 police keep order. The Beatles — all five of them — were asked to appear on the hotel's first-floor balcony and the famous picture of that moment taken by this newspaper is republished often.

Sunday the band had an evening off and celebrated their reunion (or created unions with )with local girls until 4am.  Jimmy Nicol chose not to join them. He had been a Beatle for 10 days and performed with the band 11 times for a total of five hours. He woke early Monday and left without disturbing his former band mates. He was driven to the Airport, after Brian presented him with an engraved gold watch. The inscription read: "To Jimmy, with appreciation and gratitude — Brian Epstein and The Beatles." A famous picture of Nicol alone at the airport at which, less than a day earlier, he had been welcomed by so many, speaks a thousand words.

The newly made capes from Hong Kong would be ruined, the stitching 'melted' 

Some fans who managed to get in to the Southern Cross asked Lennon to sign copies of the band's newest album With The Beatles. Lennon was furious that local EMI executives — because of complex printing union regulations — had substituted the cover art. He shouted at them at a reception they held to welcome the band to Melbourne.

John  & Paul 'Nazi' Melbourne - nobody would say a word. 

Excellent hour of viewing here, delving into the more seedier side of the tour but excellent footage, fans and insight. The last words, by John, eerily a premonition of his future .......................... https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1z4zmw 

When The Beatles Drove Us Wild by ABC tv

A/N: I digressed on this chapter still havent shown you what I wanted too! Oh well another chapter on Australia to come!