Beatlemania Mishap: The San Francisco Show
If you think this photo was taken mid-war, you couldn’t be more wrong. Nor was it during the aftermath of a natural disaster either.
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The crowd of thousands at The Beatles’ show in San Francisco caused some serious damage. We can’t exactly say what caused some people’s injuries, but it’s a relief to see helpful officials around.
Fans Swarming Around a Car
It’s not just at concerts and shows that this pop group saw its teeming fans. This photo shows relentless fans following the path of The Beatles’ car. Everyone wants a glimpse of their idols or, even better, to meet them.
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In this case, the people were not concerned about their safety. Sheriff officers can be seen trying to keep the crowd in check, but failing to do so.
Be-Commerce: Buy Your Beatles’ Hair!
As tastemakers of the ’60s, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr might not have needed any salon visits. On the other hand, Paul McCartney needed a few scissors snips, as seen in this retro photo.
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After one particular hair trim, a barber or one of the salon’s clients took a lock of Paul’s hair and tried to make money off it. Due to the demand from the group’s massive fan base, the hair collector sold the hair for a good profit.
Paying the Price of Fame
In some bands, the drummers are often unrecognized, unlike the other members. This was not the case for the Fab Four. Although Ringo Starr, the pop group’s drummer, was not the lead vocalist or guitarist, he still received widespread attention.
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This photo was taken during the band’s tour of North America in 1964. It shows how Ringo could not even enjoy the beach without his fans mobbing him.
Mob Mentality: McCartney Gets Swarmed
It is hard to determine if both ladies in this picture are fighting for Paul or if one is saving him from the other’s grasp.
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Whichever the case, Paul had difficulty walking to ABC’s Teddington Studios in 1964. The Beatles’ had to get to their destination by water to avoid all their followers. This tactic, however, didn’t stop the mob’s determination.
The Untamed Beast of Beatlemania
When the Fab Four were at Buckingham Palace to receive their Order of the British Empire (OBE) from the Queen, it was not a discreet visit.
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The fans in this photo who stormed the historic residence were not in the least bit trying to see any of the royals—they only went to see the Fab Four. They were even ready to trample the small team of law enforcement officers standing in their way.
A Mountain of Affections
George had just turned 21 years old in the photo below. His devoted fans decided to shower him with affection in their own way—the impressive mountain of cards and boxed packages on the table.
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There were so many birthday gifts to go through one of their management’s employees had to help—George just couldn’t do it alone.
Safely Removing Threats to Security
It was expected a band that dominated British pop culture would have massive attendance for any event it held. The premier for one of the Fab Four’s movies was no exception.
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Law officers that were supposed to stand guard had too much on their hands to hold the line. As shown in this picture, they had to carry some people away from the venue.
Beyond the Music
Some fans would go to extreme lengths to have their idols close to them. But if they can’t have the real ones close by, then their pictures will do. The lady in this picture is one of them.
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Every surface in her room is covered with pictures of The Beatles. The bed and the girl are the only surfaces not plastered in photos.
Screams, Tears, and Chaos
Being in the presence of a celebrity can be overwhelming to fans. Without many outlets for their excess excitement, some will choose to scream.
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No matter what their reason was, the Fab Four got tired of it. They had to stop live performances for a while because the crowd’s noise drowned out their songs. The elated women in this photo are a textbook example of what the group dealt with day in, day out.
Going the Extra Mile
The photo below depicts a female fan that looks excited. She is living out her dream of meeting her idols, The Beatles, and even sitting with them. However, the picture has a shocking background story.
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Elizabeth Freeman, the girl in the picture, ran away from her parents so she could see the Fab Four. Although she got her wish, as this picture proves, we can only imagine what she faced when she returned home.
Lost in the Frenzy
Overwhelming noise, flashing lights, entertaining music, and human body heat can be too much for some concertgoers. These and other factors can be overload for their senses, resulting in fainting.
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Thankfully, there was always readily available medical support for those who need it.
Peak Mass Hysteria
Law enforcement officials always try their best to be ready for whatever the crowd throws at them. In the case of The Beatles’ fans, they were not always prepared. The officers in this picture could hardly hold themselves against the teeming mob.
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This picture was taken when the movie Yellow Submarine was to be shown on the big screen for the first time. These officers struggled against the growing crowd in 1968 at the London Pavilion Cinema.
Welcomed to Fanatical Devotion
If fans can mob a car and hinder its movements and that of its passengers, then besieging a train station is a small feat. In this photo, the Fab Four’s fans can be seen surrounding a train station where The Beatles were. A closer look at the picture shows a confused-looking Paul.
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After attending an Ambassador’s party, the Beatles left for New York. We can only wonder how the group managed to get past its loyal fans.
Climbing Walls and Crossing Lines
Everyone wants to meet their favorite celebrity. Ideally, they could touch them, sit with them, or see them as closely as possible. Fans always tried to push their way forward at Beatles’ events.
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These fans prove that the fence used to hold them back has nothing on them—they are seen trying to scale it.
Disturbing Obsessions of Beatlemania
It’s not uncommon to see fans forcing their way to the stage. To some of them, getting a glimpse is not enough. The onslaught can get worse if the idols leave some items on the stage after performing.
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This picture, however, shows only crumbs on the stage. We are not sure how they got there, since performers don’t usually eat when they are on the stage. Regardless, seeing the fans’ determination to get anything their idols touched, even crumbs, shows the severity of Beatlemania.
Early Days of Fan Clubs
These days, fans can send whatever they want directly to their favorite celebrity with just a DM or tweet. However, it didn’t use to be like that. People had to buy notepads, handwrite their messages, put the letters in an envelope, and take them to the post office. To send the letters, they bought stamps at the post office.
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The long posting process did not deter the Fab Four’s fans—they still showered their idols with letters.
Blinded By the Lights
Flashing camera lights are something the Beatles had to get used to. They had made huge waves in their home country, and may have thought going to another country would be different. That was not the case when the Fab Four made their first American television appearance.
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The buzz was out of control. Photographers and the press surrounded them as they debuted in America on The Ed Sullivan Show, a popular tv program during the era.
Beatlemania: Aftermath
If they had known what they would be facing, the law officers present at the event in the photo below would have equipped themselves with solid earplugs.
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In which case, this officer wouldn’t have had to endure the after-effect of the noise from this Beatles show. However, he is not the only one in the picture who is being affected—other people can be seen blocking their ears.