Beatles Contract Refused Segregated Crowds

With so many songs about unity, love and peace it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Beatles supported people of every race and now their contract backs up that fact, showing that the Fab 4 refused to play any venue where segregation was allowed.

The contract is set to be auctioned next week and was taken from a 1965 concert at the Cow Palace in California.

In the contract which is signed by the bands then manager Brian Epstein it reads that The Beatles “not be required to perform in front of a segregate audience” plain and simple.

For interested Beatles fans the contract also shows how much they made for the show, a sum of $40,000.

Given Beatlemania at the time it also shouldn’t surprise anyone to hear that the contract required 150 uniformed police officers to be on guard.

Interesting fact, while the band played matinee and evening shows, the nighttime performance which showcased 17,000 fans led to the security barrier being breached and fans rushing the stage, forcing a delay in the show.

The bands contract is believed to have been formed after they refused to play a concert at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida because it was segregated. City officials realizing they couldn’t upset fans eventually allowed the stadium to be integrated and the Beatles performed.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on the contract the cost is expected to be around $5,000 and it will go up for auction on September 20 in Los Angeles.