Video: '[NEW FILM] The Beatles - Live at Olympia Stadium, Detroit (August 13th, 1966) [8mm Film]'

(Saturday, August 13, 1966, the opening acts were scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. EDT) — The Beatles performed this afternoon at Olympia Stadium in Detroit on the second stop of a 14-city, 19-show trek that would prove to be the band’s final tour (today’s second performance was scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT).

The tour was plagued by backlash regarding the controversy of John Lennon’s recent remark that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus,” which had sparked outrage across parts of the United States, leading to record burnings, protests, and death threats. The group’s outspoken criticism of the Vietnam War added further fuel to the backlash.

Behind the scenes, the band had already grown disillusioned with touring. Constant screaming from audiences made it nearly impossible to hear themselves perform, while the pressures of Beatlemania left them increasingly frustrated with life on the road.

Having privately already decided to retire from live performances, the 1966 US tour would be the last series of commercial concerts undertaken by the Beatles. Following the tour’s conclusion later that month, they retired from touring altogether and devoted themselves exclusively to studio recording.

Support acts on The Beatles’ final tour included The Remains, Bobby Hebb, The Cyrkle, and The Ronettes.