3. Carnegie Hall
In between performances on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles gave two performances at Carnegie Hall on February 12, 1964. The Beatles sold out both shows, which occurred following their short appearance in Washington, D.C. Their concert was the first time that a rock act played at Carnegie Hall, which had been reserved for classical and jazz performances. The American Federation of Musicians denied the band’s producer George Martin the rights to record the concerts for a live album, although Carnegie Hall granted permission for the band to record.
Promoter Sid Bernstein organized the Carnegie Hall concert, and it was the last concert Bernstein booked at the venue. Bernstein later said, “Carnegie Hall didn’t have to worry about its sacred property or paintings on the wall. They shook a little bit and they asked me never to come back again!” The Beatles were not impressed by the venue whatsoever, with Lennon noting that the acoustics were terrible and the concert was like a circus where they were “being pawed and talked at and met and touched.”