About The Beatles

The Beatles Manila July 4, 1966 Philippines Handbill is about as rare as it gets in Beatles memorabilia, this Poster reprises the incredible July 4, 1966 day the Fab Four played a concert in Manila -- and touched off a diplomatic incident that for a few scary hours had their lives in danger. The story of the fiasco in the Phillippines is the one of the more colorful of Beatles legends, revolving around a comedy of errors. Seems the day before, without their knowledge, they were invited to join President and Mrs. Marcos at the Malacanang Palace at 11 AM. The boys only heard of a invitation to "pop in" at 4 PM, which they had to decline since that was the time of the concert at Rizal Stadium. Consequently, when word got out that they'd "stood up" Imelda Marcos, fans were enraged, promoter Ramon Ramos refused to pay them for the gig, and they received death threats. Beatles manager Brian Epstein called a press conference to apologize but the signal was jammed (reputedly by the government). The next day, the band tried to depart the country but were given scant security and upon leaving the hotel were attacked and kicked by irate Filipinos. Then at the airport a mob came at them. Luggage in hand, they had to hurdle up a broken escalator trying to get away. In the melee, Ringo sparined an ankle and others in the entourage were injured. Finally, they were refused to get on their plane until they paid a bogus $18,000 tax bill and resolved other red tape obstacles. Only when they were in the air did Ferdinand Marcos officially absolve the band, hours late. The Beatles vowed never tor return to the country, and had no trouble keeping their word. 

Beatles U.K. Handbills. 

These are Beatles handbills from the early 1960's. They were posted on walls, in pubs, at the record stores, in ice cream parlors, anywhere and everywhere the kids hung out. They announced the weekends upcoming shows. They measure about 12 X 16 and are on a hard posterboard type material.