On the morning of 22 August 1965 The Beatles held a press conference at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, before flying to Portland, Oregon.  They would be in the town for less than 24 hours.

Shortly before their arrival in Portland one of the four engines on their Lockheed Electra aeroplane caught fire. The plane began to fill up with smoke. Yes- there was plane trouble on their way into town. John was frightened enough to quickly write a few messages which he enclosed in a film canister for safety. The smoke became very dark. It was also very quiet. But in the dark cloud of smoke was the voice of John Lennon saying "Remember, women and Beatles first"  or possibly:   a relieved Lennon was heard to shout: "Beatles, women and children first!" 

But Larry Kane remembers differently:  "We were on a plane, flying from Minneapolis to Portland in 1965 and yours truly noticed a small fire in the right engine. We had an emergency landing, and as we're going down, there was foam on the runway, fire trucks, and ambulances. I could see everything happening below me. As this was happening, George yelled out (and he repeated this on tape to me), "Larry, if anything should happen, it's Beatles and children out of this plane first." And I thought that was pretty funny. He was a very funny guy."

George checking out the fireman doing his job

A fuller account of Larry's has him spotting the fire, at first he thought he was dreaming- there was a bright light outside his window off the wing smoke pouring out with flames, he looked again! Adrenalin surged he ran and slammed a fist down on an unanswered cockpit door. The pilot and Co pilot were chatting down the back with John and Paul the plane was on autopilot! In a moment of panic Larry blurted "Theres a fire in the right engine!" A bad call, after all the Beatles were mere mortals too, they had no supernatural ability to ignore fear!. John foe all his macho bluster and confidence, glanced outside said a few 'Oh shits' and ran tot he emergency door and proceeeded to grasp the handle with both hands! Ringo just stared at the fire. Paul bit his lip (typical Paul!) The plane landed amid a chorus of 'oh God's' wild applause and the expected chorus of 'I'll never fly again's. 

Cannibal and Headhunters, a support act insight: Richard 'Scar' Lopez version: It terrified meand everybody. The Beatles were cool, their jolly selves. Ringo told some jokes to calm everyone. After the flight, everyone walked off like it was a routine flight bar one, Joe 'Yoyo' Jaramillo a member of C and H/Hunters couldnt wait to get off "He fell to his knees and kissed the tarmac he was so relieved."

 Despite all this, the show in Oregon, at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, went down very well. They were leaving after the second show. A new plane was waiting for them, or rather an old one. That plane, people forgot to bring any refreshments from the Elektra. So much for the after party! Brian was fuming because of the state of the plane, and they were going to be late because it was so slow.   

A sad footnote: On the 22nd April 1966 that same plane crashed in Oklahoma, killing all 83 on board including 3 of the Beatles original flight crew :(

More Portland Info:

 Lifes a Beach-boy: Guess who they met for the first time, The Beach Boys. Just Carl Wilson and Mike Love that were in Portland that night. From an article in 1965: Carl and Mike visited the Beatles backstage between the Liverpudlians' two performances today at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. During the meeting, Paul asks where Brian is. Carl replies, "Oh, he's given up touring. He just stays home, producing and recording our records." To which Paul replies, "That's a good idea." The Beatles will cease touring the next year.    

Ticket To Scream: Tickets with Tax were $4.00-$5.00 and $6.00..with TWO Performances 4:00 and 8:30 PM.   

That's all What I Want: A rider prepared by General Artists Corp. for Portland concert, where the Fab Four were contracted to play two performances for $50,000 per show against 65 percent of the gross box office receipts, shows an interesting  list of items the promoter was expected to provide, including a "hi-fidelity sound system," as well as a "Monitor Speaker to be placed on stage." Other requirements called for "not less than two (2) super trouper follow spotlights," and "a platform for Ringo Starr and his drums." Also on the list were the band's transportation needs, including "One (1) one-ton enclosed truck," "One (1) 30-passenger bus with driver," and "Two (2) seven-passenger Cadillac limousines (air-conditioned if possible), with chauffeurs." Plus, a star act also includes certain "luxuries" on their concert rider, and the Beatles were no exception. For this particular show the promoter was tasked with providing a "portable dressing room, preferably a house trailer," which included "four cots, mirrors, an ice cooler, portable TV set and clean towels." 

****

Blackbird* : However, one requirement listed on the contract is a stark and ugly reminder of a much darker time in U.S. history. 

Item No. 5 on the document clearly states, "Artists will not be required to perform before a segregated audience."  

A/N: I'm sure most of you have seen, by now, the Ron Howard Doco 'Eight Days A Week' delving into the segagation issues surrounding many states in  America at that time. 

Weren't there some images in that film........ the toilet signs, the water fountains. 

The Beatles believed people were just people, all the same, all human. This would have come to them as they grew up Liverpool was a melting pot of immigrants. Allan Williams, a very early manager of the Beatles, his wife was Trinidadian. Lord Woodbine (Beryls brother harold!) too, who sang Calypso sounds on the same 1st stage in hamburg in 1960. All those rocking records the boys bought/ stole or borrowed Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino would have them in unity with all races. 

A very daring brave and corageous thing was for the Beatles to put that in a contract, in black and white- how fitting.

*Blackbird, as in the song.  It has been mentioned in articles that Paul wrote this beautiful tune in sympathy for the segregated woman in America.....

The Contract:

Thanks to Beatles Bible and Larry Kane.