The Beatles perform live for BBC radio’s ‘Swinging Sound ’63’ at Royal Albert Hall in London 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 18 1963)


Audio: 'The Beatles Live At Royal Albert Hall, London (18 April, 1963)'

(Thursday, April 18, 1963, 10:02 p.m. BST) — The Beatles performed live for the BBC Light Programme Swinging Sound ’63, topping the bill tonight at Royal Albert Hall in London.

The event took place in two parts separated by an interval, with The Beatles taking the stage twice – at 8:40 p.m. and again at 10:00 p.m., introduced both times by George Melly.

The British rock band performed “Twist And Shout and “From Me To You.”

Backstage, The Beatles were interviewed in their dressing room by Roger Henning for radio station 3DB in Melbourne, Australia, performing an off-key rendition of “Waltzing Matilada.”


Audio: 'The Beatles - Waltzing Mathilda'

Following the event, Paul McCartney, 20, for the first time met Jane Asher, 17, who would become his girlfriend and later his fiancée. The actress had earlier that day posed for a Radio Times photoshoot, in which she was snapped screaming for the group.