The Beatles 1966 Tour Of Germany Japan And The Philippines
The Beatles are widely regarded as one of the most iconic bands in history. They revolutionized the music industry and became a cultural phenomenon during the 1960s. The Beatles were a sensation in many countries all over the world, and their tours were highly anticipated events. In 1966, they embarked on a tour of Germany, Japan, and the Philippines, which was one of their most memorable tours.
Germany Tour
The Beatles arrived in West Germany in June 1966, where they played a series of concerts in Munich, Essen, and Hamburg. The tour was notable for being their last public concert in Germany. The Beatles were at the height of their popularity and were met with enormous crowds despite the rain and cold weather.
The concerts were held at large venues, including the Circus-Krone-Bau in Munich, the Grugahalle in Essen, and the Ernst Merck Halle in Hamburg. The Beatles played a mix of old classics and new songs from their latest album, "Revolver."
The highlight of their concerts was their performance of "Paperback Writer" and "Rain," which were both released as a double A-side single in May 1966. Their performance of "Rain" was particularly well-received, as the band was able to recreate the sound effects from the recorded version live on stage.
Japan Tour
The Beatles arrived in Japan in June 1966, where they played five concerts in Tokyo, one concert in Hiroshima, and one concert in Kobe. The tour was a huge success, with the concerts being sold out in minutes.
The Beatles' arrival in Japan was a major event, and they were greeted by thousands of fans at the airport. The Japanese press and police were overwhelmed by the size of the crowds, and the Beatles had to be transported in armored cars.
The Beatles' concerts were held at the Nippon Budokan Hall, which was the venue for the judo competition at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The use of the hall as a rock concert venue was controversial, with many Japanese people feeling that it was inappropriate. However, The Beatles' concerts were so successful that the hall became a regular venue for rock concerts, and it became known as the "Budokan."
The Beatles played a mix of old classics and new songs from "Revolver." The highlight of their concerts was their performance of "Yesterday," which was played by McCartney alone on acoustic guitar.
Philippines Tour
The Beatles arrived in the Philippines in July 1966, where they were scheduled to play two concerts at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila. However, the tour was marred by controversy, and it became one of the most infamous incidents in the band's history.
The controversy began with a press conference held by the band upon their arrival in the Philippines. During the press conference, they were asked about their opinion on the political situation in the country, specifically about the issue of the Vietnam War. The Beatles reportedly gave a flippant answer, which led to them being branded as anti-Filipino by the media.
The situation continued to escalate, with the media and government officials criticising The Beatles. The government even threatened to deport them if they did not apologise. The Beatles, however, refused to apologise, and the situation reached its peak when they were threatened with imprisonment.
The Beatles' concerts in the Philippines were cancelled, and they were forced to leave the country under police escort. The incident left a lasting impact on the band, with John Lennon later describing it as "a nightmare."
Conclusion
The Beatles' 1966 tour of Germany, Japan, and the Philippines was one of their most memorable tours. It was a time when the band was at the height of their popularity and had a massive impact on the cultural landscape of the time. Despite the controversy in the Philippines, the tour was a great success, and it cemented The Beatles' status as one of the greatest bands of all time.
