Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

YEAH, YEAH, YEAH – BEATLES HIT VEGAS

Heroes Here in Concert

An estimated throng of 11,000 frantic teenagers and elders jammed the Convention Center yesterday afternoon as the nation's favorites — The Beatles — made a public appearance in an hour-long concert.

Security guards, some from as far away as Phoenix, helped keep peace during the show which was nearly inaudible over the screams.

Before the Beatles portion of the show began, the audience was warmed up by the Bill Black Combo and several guest singers, and the music was piercing from the moment they stepped on stage at 4 p.m.

The Beatles, who began their part in the program at 5 p.m., played such tunes as "She Loves You," "Let Me Tell You a Secret," "All My Loving," and a host of others that sparked their skyrocket to fame.

For the most part, it seemed to be a girl audience, perhaps by as much as 10-to-one, but there were many adults there too, most of whom confessed they were there to keep small children from being stepped on.

The shaggy headed English group arrived in Las Vegas early yesterday morning and were met by an enthusiastic group of fans when their chartered plane set down at McCarran Airport.

Teenagers idled about the Sahara Hotel but they were not allowed in the tower where the mop-topped entertainers bedded down.

Three hours before the afternoon performance, youngsters were milling about the hotel lobby and others stood — sometimes patiently — in line at the Convention Center. Others had binoculars trained on the tower hoping for a glimpse.

"I've never seen so many young people," was the reaction of a harried hotel clerk used to seeing bleary-eyed resort visitors arising in mid-afternoon for a try at the gambling tables.

"We've had no trouble with any kids trying to get to their floor," said Derek Taylor, the entertainers' press agent.

Taylor said The Beatles planned to stay here overnight before flying to Seattle, Wash.

"They might try their hand at gambling," said Taylor. "They're all old enough to vote — they can all gamble and they can all drink."

He said they also might try to attend a show at one of the hotel lounges.

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