Video: 'The Beatles - Live at Chicago & Press Conference (1964, 1965, 1966) [2K, 60 FPS]' (tonight's concert at 0:00-13:26)

(Saturday, September 5, 1964, 9:20 p.m. CDT; during The Beatles’ 1964 North American tour) — The Beatles took to the stage at Chicago’s International Amphitheatre tonight, delivering a high-energy performance that thrilled a packed audience of 15,000 on the 13th stop of the band’s first full North American tour.

The lineup also featured The Bill Black Combo, The Exciters, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, and Jackie DeShannon.

Plans for a civic reception, which had anticipated a crowd of 100,000, were scrapped by special events director Colonel Jack Reilly. Reilly cited a shortage of police officers to manage the large crowd, dismissing the need for additional security for “a bunch of singers.”

The Beatles arrived at Midway Airport at 4:40 p.m. CDT, an hour behind schedule, where 5,000 fans awaited them behind a chain link fence. The band was swiftly transported in a black limousine to the Sahara O’Hare hotel at O’Hare International Airport.

Due to overwhelming crowds outside the amphitheater, the group was forced to enter the venue through the kitchens. Inside, 35 usherettes and 170 ushers, selected for their indifference to the band, managed the crowd. In addition, 320 Chicago police officers were on duty, frisking fans and confiscating potential projectiles like large signs and jelly beans.

Paul McCartney humorously recalled, “I was hit once by a cigarette lighter. It clouted me right in the eye and closed my eye for the stay. In Chicago, a purple and yellow stuffed animal, a red rubber ball, and a skipping rope were plopped up on stage. I had to kick a carton of Winston cigarettes out of the way when I played.”

The Beatles performed a 12-song set that included hits like “Twist and Shout,” “All My Loving,” and “A Hard Day’s Night.”

Following the concert, the band was driven back to Midway Airport for a flight to Detroit.