Christmas 1960

In December 1960 The Beatles returned to Liverpool from Hamburg, where they had built a reputation as a live act. 

This earned them a prestigious new date for 27 December 1960 as the headliners at the Litherland Town Hall Ballroom. This was arranged by the influential local DJ, Bob Wooler — months later the victim of an infamous assault by John Lennon.

Wooler announced them on stage in typically hyperbolic fashion:

Direct from Hamburg — the sensational BEATLES

The performers on stage were dressed in black leathers and drainpipe trousers. They had American guitars and amps and seemed from another more exotic world. Some in the crowd were amazed that these strange Germans spoke to the audience in fluent Scouse speakers, .

To a roar from the packed hall, Paul launched into Little Richard's Long Tall Sally.