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Fact #98695

When:

Short story:

When The Beatles arrive at Pennsylvania Station, New York City, their carriage is detached from the train and brought in to an inconspicuous side-platform, enabling the group to be smuggled past the waiting crowds. That night they play at Carnegie Hall.

Full article:

Sid Bernstein (US promoter) : When I introduced The Beatles to America at Carnegie Hall, I was the first one to secure a date right before (Ed) Sullivan. I turned down a date in Washington, D.C., because my wife then was pregnant and I didn't want to leave New York even for a two-hour trip.


I was prepared for almost any eventuality at Carnegie Hall. We had almost 20,000 people behind wooden horses because Carnegie was blockaded from 57th all the way around to 56th. The police estimated that there were at least 20,000 people waiting to get a glimpse of them.


It was two shows in the same day. It was Lincoln's Birthday, a holiday for the kids. We did a show at 2.30pm and one at 7.30pm.


Steve Brandt (friend of Estelle Bennett of The Ronettes) : They had returned from Washington that afternoon, and then had to do the two shows. They were exhausted -- but none of the audience suspected.


Sid Bernstein : (The kids were) not very violent, but very exuberant, a very good crowd. Tears ... a lot of tears; a lot of screaming. But Carnegie Hall didn't have to worry about its sacred property or paintings on the wall. They shook a little bit, you know, and they asked me never to come back again.


Sandi Stewart (fan) : That first concert wasn't all that wild. I mean, there wasn't much screaming, nothing like later concerts, which were completely wild. I remember being very annoyed with George that first time. He seemed to be standing in the way of Ringo and we couldn't see him. We all shouted at him to get out of the way.


Sid Bernstein : The box-office people told me after the first day's sellout of the two shows - 2,830 seats - they said, 'You could have brought these people in for two shows a day for the next 30 days.' We should've done it.


After the second concert, I walked with Brian Epstein across to Madison Square Garden. We looked inside the old Garden arena. Seventeen thousand seats. I knew The Garden wanted The Beatles; they could have had tickets printed in 24 hours. I offered Brian $25,000 and a $5,000 donation to the British Cancer Fund. I knew he was tempted. But he gave me that little smile he had. 'Sid,' he said. 'Let's save it for next time.'


Steve Brandt (friend of Estelle Bennett of The Ronettes) : Back at the hotel