A screaming welcome for The Beatles as they play at the Gaumont Theatre in Wolverhampton, 1963.

When Beatlemania hit Wolverhampton, the city turned out in their masses.
They were the biggest band in the world – and still a massive influence on pop music today.

So when Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr rolled into town on a nippy November night at their 1963 Autumn tour, Wolverhampton turned out in their masses to see them play.
The band played a ten-song set throughout their Autumn tour, including classics like I Saw Her Standing There, Twist And Shout, and All My Loving.

The Beatles had visited in Wolverhampton in March 1963 – but without John Lennon, who took time off with a cold. This was a chance for Wulfrunians to get the full Beatlemania experience.

The Gaumont Theatre sold out fast, with a queue of people stretching all the way down the street to try and get tickets for the British sensations.

Trixie Higgs, now 73, was one of the lucky ones – though it cost her a good night’s sleep.

“I queued all night and slept on the pavement with my friend Jackie, and managed to get front row tickets.
“When we went to work the next day, we were heroes to our younger friends – but the older ladies thought we were crackers!
“It’s a fantastic memory, it reminds me that I was a rebel once!”

Joan Merryweather couldn’t make it – but she and the other people stuck outside made their own fun.
“We screamed outside on the night they were on. Whenever we saw a shadow cross a window, we screamed louder!”

Margaret Porter thought she might miss out, but someone swooped in to save the day.
“I missed out on a ticket, but my dad got me one from a friend – it was an amazing night.
“I remember the ticket costing 10 shillings and 6 pence!”

1964 is remembered as the year that The Beatles turned into global superstars, by breaking into the American pop music charts and touring in far off lands – but for now, for these people in November 1963, the band were their English darlings.