Pandemonium Breaks Loose (San Diego 1965)

  

Pandemonium Breaks Loose

By Susan and Jeanee Wheeler and Carman Sandoval

Imperial Beach Star News

September 2, 1965

 

One girl to the left suddenly burst into hysterical screams, rocking back and forth. To the right, a girl sat quietly, moaning and biting her fingernails. The scene at Balboa Stadium looked as though a reliable source had just announced the end of the world, and in a sense, it was.

The Beatles, the biggest entertainment group in the world, dressed in beige army jackets and tight black pants, were performing for an audience of 25,000.

 Earlier, while Brenda Holloway, King Curtis, Sounds Inc., Cannibal, and the Headhunters (minus two heads) performed, and while vendors hawked their goods and fans threw Beatle buttons, the British four held a press conference in their dressing room, crowded with people.

 The Beatles were relaxed and calm. The only trouble they had was seeing through their hair. Screams filtered in from outside.

 Earlier, the Beatles had given their fans a chance to see them close up. Their bus had stopped 10 feet from the fence while they unloaded. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr happily waved to the crowd.

 Some of the first questions ventured were about Ringo Starr's marriage. A reporter asked if the drummer minded girls chasing after him now that he's married, Ringo answered, “No, I don't, because now there are two of me, Ringo and Richie.” (His real name is Richard Starkey.) In good humor, John and Paul promptly called in high voices,” Hi there. Richie!”

 John Lennon said his voice was holding out fine after a brief sore throat. The Beatles laughed and admitted their phenomenal fame was a joke.

 When they marched across the turf to the stage, pandemonium broke loose. Through the screams, fans heard strains of I Feel Fine, Dizzy Miss Lizzie, Boys,  Can't Buy Me Love, " " I Want to Be Your Man, Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby, Ticket to Ride and a few other songs could be heard.

 Confetti, Beatle buttons and paper was were thrown onto the field. When the Beatles began to sing the title song from their new movie Help, they weren't kidding. Girls were jumping the fence and charging the stage. The tackles made by the policemen would have put the Chargers to shame.

 Only one fan even made it near the stage before the show was stopped. She approached tentatively, then bit the arm of a guard who escorted her out.

 The Beatles and their guitars left San Diego via bus. The audience was imprisoned in the stadium until the bus left. Then we poured out, leaving the walls of the Chargers' home still trembling.