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- The Beatles perform live at Hambleton Hall, St David’s Road, Page Moss, Huyton, Liverpool L14 9SE, Merseyside
1961 Wednesday 1st February
The Beatles’ Activities on February 1, 1961
In early 1961, The Beatles were firmly entrenched in the Merseyside beat scene, performing almost every night at local halls, clubs, and dance venues around Liverpool and nearby areas. They had returned from their first Hamburg residency in late 1960 and were building a strong local following with their energetic live shows, blending rock ‘n’ roll covers, R&B, and early pop influences. The lineup consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar/vocals), Paul McCartney (bass/vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar/vocals), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass, though often absent or sharing duties), and Pete Best (drums). No recordings or major breakthroughs had occurred yet; their first professional single was still over a year away.
On February 1, 1961, The Beatles performed live at Hambleton Hall, located on St David’s Road, Page Moss, Huyton, Liverpool L14 9SE, Merseyside. This was their second appearance at the venue, following their debut there on January 25, 1961. Hambleton Hall was a modest municipal building used for dances and social events, later repurposed as a probation office. The gig was booked by local promoters Wally Hill and Vic Anton. Admission prices were typically 2s 6d (two shillings and sixpence) before 8pm and 3 shillings after, reflecting the affordable local scene.
They topped a bill that likely included other Merseybeat acts such as Derry & The Seniors and Faron & The Tempest Tornadoes, as was common for these events. Exact setlists from this specific date are not documented, but their repertoire in early 1961 typically featured high-energy covers and standards including:
- Twist and Shout
- Long Tall Sally
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Johnny B. Goode
- Red Sails in the Sunset
- Wild One
- Good Golly Miss Molly
- Lucille
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Early originals or arrangements like Hallelujah, I Love Her So or early Lennon-McCartney compositions
These performances were part of their relentless gigging schedule—often multiple shows per week—honing their tight musicianship, stage presence, and audience interaction that would later define their success. Hambleton Hall became one of their most frequent local venues, with the band returning there 16 times in total through 1962. This date represents the grassroots phase of their career, before Brian Epstein’s management and national fame.
Top 10 Songs in the UK Charts on February 1, 1961
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Are You Lonesome Tonight? | Elvis Presley |
| 2 | Pepe | Duane Eddy |
| 3 | Poetry in Motion | Johnny Tillotson |
| 4 | Sailor | Petula Clark |
| 5 | Buona Sera | Mr. Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band |
| 6 | Portrait of My Love | Matt Monro |
| 7 | Stranger on the Shore (rising/instrumental influence) | Mr. Acker Bilk (approximate context) |
| 8 | Apache (lingering) | The Shadows |
| 9 | Runaway (emerging) | Del Shannon (early 1961 context) |
| 10 | It’s Now or Never | Elvis Presley (carryover) |
Top 10 Songs in the USA Charts (Billboard Hot 100) on February 1, 1961
| Position | Song | Artist/Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will You Love Me Tomorrow | The Shirelles |
| 2 | Running Scared (rising) | Roy Orbison |
| 3 | Calcutta | Lawrence Welk |
| 4 | Exodus | Ferrante & Teicher |
| 5 | Shop Around | The Miracles |
| 6 | Pony Time | Chubby Checker |
| 7 | Where the Boys Are | Connie Francis |
| 8 | Wonderland by Night | Bert Kaempfert |
| 9 | Angel Baby | Rosie & The Originals |
| 10 | North to Alaska | Johnny Horton |
Top News Headlines and Events from Around the World on February 1, 1961
- The United States conducted the first full-scale test of the Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket successfully traveled approximately 4,000 miles to its target in the Atlantic Ocean in under 15 minutes.
- The film “The Misfits,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift, premiered in theaters, directed by John Huston and written by Arthur Miller.
- U.S. President John F. Kennedy held his second press conference at the State Department Auditorium in Washington, D.C., discussing foreign policy, domestic issues, and administration priorities.
- Touch-tone telephone technology was tested by Bell Laboratories, an early step toward modern dialing systems.
- In cricket, Australian tail-enders Ken Mackay and Lindsay Kline held on for a famous draw against West Indies in the fourth Test in Adelaide.
Notable People Born on February 1, 1961
- Daniel M. Tani, American astronaut (NASA missions STS-120, STS-122).
- Jim Pace, American auto racer (24 Hours of Daytona winner 1996), born in Monticello, Mississippi (d. 2020).
- Volker Fried, German field hockey player (Olympic gold 1992, silver 1984/1988; 290 caps).
- Other figures: Primarily in sports and science; no ultra-global icons, but Tani notable for space exploration.
Notable People Who Died on February 1, 1961
- No major globally prominent figures are recorded as dying on February 1, 1961. The month saw deaths like Anna May Wong on February 3 and others nearby, but this specific date had no high-profile losses in historical records.
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