Unseen Beatles Concert Footage Uncovered After 44 Years

The Beatles - Mania Days

What is believed to be the only recording of a Kansas City Beatles gig from 1964 has been rediscovered by a fan who had forgotten he filmed it. Despite stringent filming restrictions on the day, Drew Dimmel took his father’s new movie camera to the concert and managed to grab some shots of the band on their first US tour. Upon taking the film home, Dimmel shut it in a drawer and forgot about it - only to find it still in its box just two months ago as he cleared out his parents’ home. The 8mm film reel, which goes to auction on November 4, is barely two minutes long, but is nevertheless expected to fetch upwards of £12,000.

The Kansas City gig at the Municipal Stadium was a controversial one. Thanks to the unpopularity of the Kansas City Baseball Team owner, Charles Finley, the local press had ordered a boycott of the concert and the stadium was half empty.

The Beatles 1964 US tour is captured in its entirety through the lens of the late Curt Gunther in the signed limited edition book Mania Days. Click here to read more.

© Curt Gunther, 1964