By mid-December, 1962, the Beatles were finally beginning to achieve the recognition that had long eluded them. Their first single, Love Me Do, was on the charts of several British music publications, including Melody Maker, New Musical Express and Record Retailer. The group was making radio appearances on the BBC and television appearances on Granada Television. Although the Beatles were still giving frequent shows at the Cavern, they had expanded past small clubs and were now playing more prestigious ballrooms and theaters. It was a great time to be in Merry Ole England.
However, it was also a time to honor commitments. On December 18, 1962, the Beatles headed back to Hamburg for a two-week engagement at the Star-Club. The previous day was a reminder of their bright future as the group made its third appearance on the Granada Television show People And Places, performing Love Me Do and Twist And Shout. But now it was back to Germany and away from friends, family and fans for the year-end holiday season. It would be the last time the Beatles played the Hamburg club circuit that had been such an important part of their development.
Today’s trivia questions are about the Beatles in Hamburg.
1. How many trips did the Beatles make to Hamburg to perform in the clubs? (Extra credit: Name the dates of these trips)
2. What four venues did the Beatles perform at in Hamburg?
3. What singer was backed by the Beatles on six recordings he made in Hamburg? (Extra credit: Name the six songs.)
4. What two songs did the Beatles record as a band in Hamburg?
5. Who produced the Beatles Hamburg recordings?
The Beatles made five trips to Hamburg: (1) August 17 – November 30, 1960; (2) April 1 – July 1, 1961; (3) April 13 – May 31, 1962; (4) November 1 – 14, 1962; and (5) December 18 – 31, 1962.
During their first visit to Hamburg, the Beatles played at the Indra Club through October 3, 1960, before moving to the Kaiserkeller the following day. Their second visit consisted on shows at the Top Ten Club. For their final three appearances in Hamburg, the Beatles played at the Star-Club.
The Beatles, then consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best, backed singer Tony Sheridan on six recordings made in Hamburg. My Bonnie and The Saints were released on the first single to have the name “Beatles” on the label in the U.K. The other four songs were Sweet Georgia Brown, Why, Nobody’s Child and Take Out Some Insurance On Me Baby (also known as If You Love Me, Baby).
The Beatles recorded Ain’t She Sweet with John Lennon on lead vocal and an instrumental titled Cry For A Shadow, which was written by George Harrison and John Lennon. (Although the M-G-M single issued in the U.S. is credited to “The Beatles with Tony Sheridan,” Tony Sheridan did not participate in the recording.)
The Beatles Hamburg recordings were produced by Bert Kaempfert.
Return to Main Trivia Page for more trivia
Other posts of the series
- 2012: THE YEAR OF 50TH ANNIVERSARIES (May 8, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Commercial Test at Abbey Road (June 5, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles First Visit to Abbey Road Studios - More (June 11, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles First Visit to Abbey Road Studios - Continued (June 18, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles First Proper Recording Session (September 4, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: The Beatles 2nd Recording Session for their 1st Single (September 12, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: EMI Prepares for Release of First Beatles Single (September 25, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: EMI Releases First Beatles Single (October 3, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: The Beatles First Television Appearance (October 16, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles played at Queen’s Hall (October 23, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles leave for Hamburg (October 30, 2012)
- 50 years ago: The Beatles and James Bond (November 6, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Another full week of concert appearances for the Beatles (November 21, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: The Beatles Record their Second Single (November 27, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: A Rare Beatles Stage Show Flop (December 4, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Top Mersey Beat Poll Again (December 11, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Leave for Final Hamburg Club Dates (This post) (December 18, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles spend Christmas in Hamburg (December 24, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Ring in New Year in Hamburg (December 31, 2012)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles in Scotland (January 7, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Promote Please Please Me Single (January 15, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Promote Please Please Me Single (January 22, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Gearing Up for First National Tour (January 29, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Please Please Me Single Released in America (February 5, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Record First Album (February 11, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Continue Promoting 2nd Single (February 19, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: George Martin Prepares Album; Beatles Resume Helen Shapiro Tour (February 26, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Record From Me To You (March 5, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles on Tour with Tommy Roe & Chris Montez (March 12, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: First Beatles Album Released (March 18, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Conclude Roe/Montez Tour (March 25, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles at the BEEB (March 28, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Release and Promote Third Single (April 9, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Play Royal Albert Hall & Empire Pool (April 16, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Continue With Concerts (April 22, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: While the Beatles on Vacation, Singles Chart (April 30, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Beatles Please Please Me LP Tops the Charts (May 7, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: CONCERTS, CHILDREN’S TV AND TOURS (May 12, 2013)
- 50 Years Ago: Touring with Orbison and their own Radioshow (May 13, 2013)
