In 1964 I was just 18 and had started my first term at Sheffield University. I was walking from Barkers Pool when I bumped into a workmate of my ex-boyfriend. He thought we were still together and said that, as a result of the ex, he had a spare ticket for the Beatles. Well, I couldn’t refuse, could I?
I think the ticket cost 8 shillings. We went and ended up front row in the stalls. Everyone was screaming and shouting — but not me, it seemed. I must have stood out because my friend and I were sitting whilst everyone else was standing, waving and screaming. Paul [McCartney] must have noticed this quiet spot on the front row and winked at me. I don’t think people believe me, but 60 years later I still remember it. I’ve told loads of people since — I was pleased about it then and still am.
The atmosphere was noisy — that’s the main thing I remember — all these excited girls. I just wasn’t the sort of girl who would scream. It was the music I enjoyed, not that we heard much.
My birthday is the same as John Lennons’ though he was older than me. I continued to date the boy I went with for about nine months and we went to lots of concerts at the City Hall. I remember seeing Dusty Springfield two or three times — she wore the same dress on each occasion. I’d been to see Cliff Richard at the Lyceum in, I think, 1959 and it cost half a crown in the gods. My dad bought me a ticket and one for my friend, but her mum wouldn’t let her go, so my dad took me instead — again, screaming girls.
This is part of a growing archive of Sheffield Beatles memories. You can read more stories here: fanarchivebeatlessheffield.uk
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