Roxan ~ In My Life with the Beatles

20

May 1964 Get Ready to Rock

John and the lads became busier as it was getting closer to the next tour. Departing England travelling to the first concert in Copenhagen, Denmark on 4th June, and then continue onto the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and back to Australia for a final show in Brisbane, Queensland. Set lists were being weaselled out, passports confirmed or applied for and instruments assembled and the like.

I was busy too, with Freda as assistant, sorting itinerary's, band, backstage and press passes, accommodation, vehicles, security, activities for the boys.

Due to the Southern Hemisphere being in a totally different time zone I was forced to work a split-shift for most of the time calling, say Queensland, at midday meant ringing from London at 3am! It became very tricky to juggle the ever-changing details. Also as the dates fast approached every press office in each of the countries to be visited would call with outlandish offers- one on one interviews sought, can we have a beauty competition- Paul can judge.. being one of many requests for assorted Beatle related competitions.

The biggest issue legally was Brian attempting to garner a slightly higher fee for the Australia leg. Australian promoter Kenn Brodziak had jumped on the Beatle bandwagon 2 years before when the boys 'couldn't get a show' and were on the cusp of becoming huge so when a verbal agreement was struck for a flat fee of 1500 pounds a week Brian took it. Two years on, Beatlemania had reached fever pitch, tours were sold out in minutes but the Australia 'handshake deal' was still hanging.

Now the contract for the tour was on the table just needing the ink at the bottom. Partly due to Brian and his gentlemanly way he didn't want me to push hard and demand USA pricing which was upwards of $50,000 a show! Which would make the band look greedy to the press and, partly, the promoter did have the contract in the first place. I did however manage to negotiate what would work well in both parties favour, a new fee would be 2500 pounds a week still a bargain in anyone's shrewd eyes. the contract had no mention of ticket sales and canteen takings so that was left to the promoter.

All on the ground needs to be paid by promoter- accommodation and transport, as we were now organising. The promoter also wanted a new city added to the tour so had to roll with our punches or he would have had 80000 young fans chasing him all over Australia if this wasn't agreed to.

Adelaide, South Australia had originally been left off the touring schedule but a petition signed by more than 80,000 fans in just 2 days meant four new shows were added, with the takings to go directly to the band's management.

It was exciting and exhausting, Freda was exceptional, knowing more than I, regarding day to day of tours so with her guidance we worked flawlessly together becoming close and dear friends in the process.