Beatles named and dated

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Beatles named and dated
Heswall News
Nov 13 2013

A BEATLES fan has solved the mystery of the band’s change of name.
Ken Harrison – no relation to George – says he foundout when the Silver Beetles changed their name to become the Beatles.
Eagle-eyed Ken found the answer in Liscard’s Grosvenor Ballroom, as he looked though old newspaper cuttings from the Wallasey News hidden away in a drawer.
Ken now manages the building, where the Beatles regularly played in the 1960s.
He said: “It’s amazing what you find in old newspaper cuttings.
“These were just small advertisements in the paper which I happened to come across, but they say a lot about Beatles history.
“This proves they were called the Beatles and Silver Beetles before they went Germany.
“I’ve now enlarged the adverts and will be getting them framed to put on the wall.”
Fellow Beatles fan Robin Bird said: “Historians have said the Silver Beetles changed their name to the Beatles when they left for Hamburg on August 16, 1960 – starting a new chapter in their amazing musical career.
“However, from the old cuttings it is apparent the band changed their name before that date when they played at the Grosvenor Ballroom.
“On Whit Monday, June 6, 1960, ‘the fabulous Silver Beetles, direct from their tour with Jonny Gentle’ performed a double bill with Gerry and the Pacemakers.
“The following Saturday night the Grosvenor Ballroom advertised a ‘swing session featuring the sensational new group The Beatles’.
“Violence at the Grosvenor put an end to the Beatles performances there, but they did return on September 15, 1960, ‘making their first appearance since their German tour’.
“Admission was 4/- and the Beatles were billed to play from 7.45pm followed by Cliff Roberts and the Rockers.
“So it is in black and white – they became the Beatles during their residency at the Grosvenor Ballroom during June 1960 before they went to Germany on the road to becoming world famous.
“This has puzzled pop historians.”




May/June 1960 set list written by Paul McCartney for a gig at the Grosvenor Ballroom. Earliest known set list to ever surface.