7 April 1963
Radio broadcast:
Easy Beat
BBC Light Programme, 10.31 - 11.30 am
Recorded 3 April
Concert:
Savoy Ballroom, South Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire
"Our hard day's night with The Beatles
Mike Devon and the Diplomats in 1963
By Bob Hind
IT WASN'T exactly the smoothest of starts to a big gig. As Terry Wiseman got ready to play with his band Mike Devon and The Diplomats at The Savoy in Southsea, word came through that a roadie working for the other band topping the bill had broken down on the A3.
Terry was asked if he would loan out his drum kit - and became part of music history. Because the other drummer was a certain Ringo Starr and Terry's kit ended up being used in concert by the Beatles.
Now 66 and living in Southsea, he recalls: 'The Beatles' road manager said: "Can we loan your kit for Ringo to play on? He has his own snare drum, which never leaves his sight, but nothing else."'
Of course, Terry agreed to the request but there was one problem. Two stages had been set up - a large one for the Beatles and a smaller one for the Diplomats.
After the Diplomats had played their first set, Terry's drum kit had to be carried over to the other stage.
He says: 'Ringo, the road manager and I carried drums, cymbals and stands across the crowded hall and back again. I don't think Ringo had the same problem in later life!'
To his everlasting regret, Terry sold the drum kit in 1970. Today it would be worth thousands.
But another member of the band still has an extremely valuable souvenir of the night they played with the Beatles.
Rhythm guitarist Keith Francis had bought a limited-edition copy of the Beatles' first LP, Please Please Me, complete with gold label and got the Fab Four to sign it after the gig. Today Keith keeps it in a bank vault - not surprising, as 10 years ago it was valued at £35,000.
The gig on April 7, 1963 was the second time the Beatles had performed here (they played the Guildhall on March 30, 1963) and lead vocalist Mike Deacon - who used the stage name Mike Devon - remembers the streets and pavements being full of teenagers.
'There were no fire regulations like there are today. People were milling about in Clarendon Road, South Parade, on the beach and esplanade. The crowds then went into the foyer and up the stairs. It was just choc-a bloc with people wanting to see the Beatles.'
The appearance was not all-ticket but Savoy manager George Turner saw the crowds and cannily raised the entrance fee 3/6d to five shillings (25p).
At 5pm the Beatles arrived by car. Dressed in jeans and leather jackets, they had a 15-minute struggle to get through the crowds and into the dressing room they were to share with the Diplomats.
As both groups changed into their stage suits, Mike says: 'All our day clothes were heaped together in a pile in one corner. There was no star treatment.'
Terry recalls that they found it difficult to understand the Beatles' Scouse accents - and he and Mike say John Lennon seemed a bit cold and aloof, as if he thought he was too good for the scene at that time.
Terry adds: 'As soon as they arrived, Paul McCartney asked where the piano was. He had composed something in his head on the way down in the car and wanted to set it down in music before it faded from his memory.'
Meanwhile, George Harrison took bass player Colin Wilkinson and Keith to one side and happily showed them how he played certain chords. But when it came to the concert, the Diplomats thought they'd hit a snag. They'd become known as a Beatles tribute band, learning their songs as soon as they came out.
Therefore, many of the songs they were to play that evening were Beatles numbers and Mike hesitantly asked Paul if it would be all right.
Mike, who is now 62, retired and living in Old Portsmouth, says: 'Paul just said: "Of course you can play our stuff." We asked if they would be playing the same numbers and Paul then said: "So what? We'll play them again and again, no problem."'
As part of their repertoire, the Diplomats sang Love Me Do, Please Please Me, I Saw Her Standing There, Do You Want To Know a Secret?, There's A Place and Twist & Shout.
Then it was time for the Beatles to take to the stage to fantastic applause from the crowded floor. There were so many people wanting to see them that the dance floor, seating area, balcony and even the stairs leading to the dance floor were jam-packed with fans. Those on the stairs never saw a thing but they could still say they were there. Meanwhile, a huge number of disappointed fans were still outside.
After the gig, the Diplomats and the Beatles met up in the dressing room for a drink of Coke and a chat. The Beatles had received a fee of £50, while the Diplomats were offered 12 guineas (£12.60), which Geoff renegotiated up to £15.
Mike says now: 'We consider ourselves very lucky to have been part of history. We could see they were brilliant but I honestly don't think anybody knew they would go on to be as successful as they were.'
The Beatles returned to Pompey for a concert at the Guildhall on December 3, 1963. They were now big stars. And the Diplomats? They were asked to go to Germany and be a Beatles-style band but as some of the group had apprenticeships they turned down the offer.
Another band went instead - Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch, who went on to have seven hits in the late '60s.
The Diplomats went about their day jobs, playing semi-professionally in their spare time. But just two years later they had split up."
Source: The Portsmouth News, 17 January 2007
Also on the bill was a group called Classics 4 (not to be confused with the American band of the same name).
Back to 6 April Return to 1963 calendar Ahead to 8 April
