Video: 'THE BEATLES : Cheltenham Nov 1, 1963'

(Friday, November 1, 1963, The Beatles headlined two shows that began at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. GMT following five other acts) — The Beatles’ fourth British tour of 1963 opened tonight with two shows at the Odeon Cinema in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

This was the group’s first series of concerts as unchallenged headliners. The Beatles topped a bill featuring five other acts: The Rhythm & Blues Quartet, The Vernons Girls, The Brook Brothers, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers, and The Kestrels. The compere on the tour dates was Frank Berry.

The following day a report in the Daily Mirror newspaper carried the headline: “Beatlemania! It’s happening everywhere.. even in sedate Cheltenham.” This is believed to be the first use of the word in print; by the end of the year it would be widely used.