The Beatles Winter 1963 Helen Shapiro Tour


first English tour lasted from 2 February 1963 until 3 March 1963. The Beatles were fourth on an eleven-act bill headed by 16-year-old Londoner, Helen Shapiro. Other acts on the tour were the Red Price Band, The Kestrels, The Honeys, Dave Allen, Kenny Lynch and Danny Williams. They were also joined briefly by Billie Davis during the latter part of the tour.
The tour was organised by the Arthur Howes Agency. This was the first time that the Beatles had worked with Howes.

Programme

The programme for the tour was:
The Beatles typical set list for the shows was as follows :
  1. "Chains"
  2. "Keep Your Hands Off My Baby"
  3. "A Taste of Honey"
  4. "Please Please Me"
Two other songs were used as prepared alternatives during the tour:
  1. "Love Me Do"
  2. "Beautiful Dreamer"

    Winter 1963 Helen Shapiro Tour dates

The Shapiro tour was split into two parts.

Part 1

The first part lasted from 2 to 10 February, although the Beatles did not play on the 10th, as they needed to be in London early on the 11th. The Beatles played two dates at the Cavern Club, Liverpool on 3 and 4 February, before joining the Shapiro tour again on the 5th.
DateCityCountryVenue
2 February 1963BradfordEnglandGaumont
5 February 1963DoncasterEnglandGaumont
6 February 1963BedfordEnglandGranada
7 February 1963WakefieldEnglandABC Cinema
8 February 1963CarlisleEnglandRegal
9 February 1963SunderlandEnglandSunderland Empire Theatre

All dates from Lewisohn
On 11 February, the Beatles recorded the ten tracks that, together with their two previously released singles, formed their debut album, Please Please Me.
From 12 to 22 February, they played a number of dates on their own, before joining the Shapiro tour again on the 23.

Part 2

The second part lasted from 23 February until 3 March. Travelling to Shrewsbury on 28 February 1963, Lennon and McCartney wrote the next Beatles single, "From Me To You".
DateCityCountryVenue
23 February 1963MansfieldEnglandGranada
24 February 1963CoventryEnglandCoventry Theatre
26 February 1963TauntonEnglandGaumont
27 February 1963YorkEnglandRialto
28 February 1963ShrewsburyEnglandGranada
1 March 1963SouthportEnglandOdeon
2 March 1963SheffieldEnglandSheffield City Hall
3 March 1963HanleyEnglandGaumont

All dates from Lewisohn

Instruments and equipment

Instruments The Beatles had on the tour, shown here for each member of the group.
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
Ringo Starr