1963 Wednesday 6th February
1st British Tour – With Helen Shapiro
-
- The Beatles perform live at the Granada Cinema, 5-9 St Peters Street, Bedford MK40 2PN, Bedfordshire
On Tour: The Beatles Hit the Road on February 6, 1963
On Wednesday, February 6, 1963, The Beatles found themselves in the midst of their first major nationwide tour in the United Kingdom. As part of the Helen Shapiro Winter Tour, the band—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—performed live at the Granada Cinema in Bedford, Bedfordshire. This venue on St Peters Street hosted an evening of variety entertainment, with The Beatles positioned fourth on an eleven-act bill headlined by the 16-year-old pop sensation Helen Shapiro, whose hits like “Walking Back to Happiness” had made her a household name.
The tour, running from February 2 to March 3, 1963, marked a pivotal moment for The Beatles. Having released their second single “Please Please Me” just weeks earlier on January 11, the group was gaining momentum. Their set at the Granada Cinema included energetic performances of their growing repertoire, blending American rock ‘n’ roll covers with their own burgeoning originals. The cold winter weather did little to dampen the enthusiasm of audiences across the UK, as Beatlemania began to stir in the provinces before exploding nationally. This gig came shortly after their marathon recording session for the debut album “Please Please Me” (which would occur on February 11), underscoring the relentless pace that defined their early career.
While The Beatles energized the stage in Bedford, the British charts reflected a transitional era, with their own “Please Please Me” climbing rapidly.
Top 10 Songs in the UK Charts on February 6, 1963
The Official Singles Chart for the week encompassing February 6 (covering February 7 chart publication) showcased a mix of crooners, instrumentals, and emerging beat sounds:
- The Wayward Wind by Frank Ifield
- Diamonds by Jet Harris & Tony Meehan
- Please Please Me by The Beatles
- All Alone Am I by Brenda Lee
- Little Town Flirt by Del Shannon
- Globetrotter by The Shadows
- Loop De Loop by Frankie Vaughan
- Like I Do by Maureen Evans
- Don’t You Think It’s Time by Mike Berry
- Sun Arise by Rolf Harris
The Beatles’ “Please Please Me” was surging toward the top, foreshadowing their dominance later in the year.
Top 10 Songs in the USA Charts on February 6, 1963
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week of February 9 (reflecting sales and airplay around February 6) featured harmonious pop and teen idols:
- Hey Paula by Paul & Paula
- Walk Right In by The Rooftop Singers
- The Night Has a Thousand Eyes by Bobby Vee
- Go Away Little Girl by Steve Lawrence
- I Saw Linda Yesterday by Dickey Lee
- It’s Up to You by Ricky Nelson
- Telstar by The Tornadoes
- Two Faces Have I by Lou Christie
- Stranger on the Shore by Mr. Acker Bilk
- You’re the Reason I’m Living by Bobby Darin
These American hits provided a contrast to the emerging British sound The Beatles were pioneering back home.
Beyond the music, February 6, 1963, carried weighty global developments, particularly in the lingering shadow of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Top News Headlines in the UK and the World on February 6, 1963
In the UK, attention focused on international affairs and domestic life amid one of the coldest winters on record. British media covered U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara’s televised press conference confirming the removal of Soviet offensive missiles from Cuba, using U-2 spy plane photographs as evidence—a major step toward de-escalating Cold War tensions.
Globally, the day saw ongoing diplomatic discussions, including a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council regarding Cuba. In space and military news, a Titan II development flight launched from Cape Canaveral. President John F. Kennedy met with Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of the British Defense Staff, highlighting transatlantic alliances. These events underscored a world cautiously moving away from nuclear brinkmanship while civil rights and decolonization struggles simmered elsewhere.
Notable Births on February 6, 1963
- David Capel, English cricket all-rounder (15 Tests, 21 wickets; 23 ODIs), known for his contributions to Northamptonshire and England cricket (d. 2020).
- Debra Granik, American film director (Winter’s Bone, Leave No Trace), acclaimed for her independent cinema exploring social issues.
These births added future talents to fields of sport and film, reflecting the era’s creative undercurrents.
Notable Deaths on February 6, 1963
- Abd el-Krim (Mohamed ibn Abdelkrim El-Khattabi), Moroccan nationalist leader (Republic of the Rif), aged 85; a key figure in anti-colonial resistance against Spanish and French forces in the 1920s.
- Charles “Specs” Wright, American jazz drummer (Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderley), aged 35; renowned for his innovative rhythms in modern jazz.
- Werner Erich Josten, German composer (Jungle), aged 77; contributed to early 20th-century classical music.
Their legacies spanned politics, music, and culture, echoing the day’s blend of old and new worlds.
Cultural Events Shaping Global Culture on February 6, 1963
Culturally, February 6 fell during a quiet period for major releases, but the broader context included anticipation for Federico Fellini’s “8½” (released in Italy around this time, premiering widely in February), a groundbreaking film exploring creativity and existentialism through Marcello Mastroianni’s portrayal of a director in crisis. Its innovative narrative and visual style influenced global cinema profoundly.
No major premieres or festivals occurred precisely on this date, but the Helen Shapiro tour itself represented a cultural milestone, bridging traditional variety shows with the rising beat group phenomenon. The Beatles’ presence on the bill hinted at the seismic shift toward youth-driven pop culture that would define the decade. Meanwhile, ongoing Cold War resolutions shaped public discourse, influencing art and music toward themes of hope and change.
February 6, 1963, captures The Beatles on the ascent—touring tirelessly, charting upward, and unknowingly ushering in a revolution amid a world seeking stability. Their Bedford performance was one small step in a journey that would soon captivate the globe.
.
