For Beatles Fans in Kansas City
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Hi! I've created a Beatles Fan Page on Facebook, expecially for Kansas City area fans. Link is https://www.facebook.com/BeatlesFansKC Thought it would be a good place for fans to connect, and share memories, etc. Have posted a few photos of The Beatles 1964 concert in Kansas City, and will continue to post others as well, of Paul and Ringo's concerts, when they've visited, as well as other Beatles related sites in Kansas City. Would be nice if the local fanbase could have some events in the future, similar to Beatles Fan Fests, and raise money to go to local charities, or cancer research or groups that help animals, etc. Anyway, hopefully you can check out the page, and would always appreciate any comments or suggestions!
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LadyLeslie:
Hi! I've created a Beatles Fan Page on Facebook, expecially for Kansas City area fans. Link is https://www.facebook.com/BeatlesFansKC Thought it would be a good place for fans to connect, and share memories, etc. Have posted a few photos of The Beatles 1964 concert in Kansas City, and will continue to post others as well, of Paul and Ringo's concerts, when they've visited, as well as other Beatles related sites in Kansas City. Would be nice if the local fanbase could have some events in the future, similar to Beatles Fan Fests, and raise money to go to local charities, or cancer research or groups that help animals, etc. Anyway, hopefully you can check out the page, and would always appreciate any comments or suggestions!
Thanks!Is the late Charles Finley still considered a hero in Kansas City for bringing the Beatles to Kansas City?
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Is the late Charles Finley still considered a hero in Kansas City for bringing the Beatles to Kansas City?
Charles Finley is an interesting character, but in my opinion, he wouldn't be classified as a hero. In 1964 his baseball team, the KC Athletics, was losing money, and was on a losing streak (I think I read they lost 157 games). After the Beatles accepted his offer of $150,000 to play in Kansas City on their day off, Finley had his photo printed on the reverse of the tickets for the concert, showing him wearing a Beatles wig with the slogan "Today's Beatles fans are tomorrow's baseball fans." Rather than being a hero, I think to many people he was perceived as a desperate man trying to save his baseball team. By bringing the Beatles to KC, his name and his baseball team would receive recognition and publicity. The concert lost money for him though, only 21,000 of the 35,000 available seats were sold... 21,000 is still a good crowd though. But Mr. Finley does have his admirers though... I met some people at a screening of the Ron Howard Beatles Documentary in Kansas City who said their parents worked for Finley in the 1960s, and that they thought it was a privilege to work for him, and that he was always very good to his employees and their families. More about Finley and the Beatles are at these links: https://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/09/17/live-municipal-stadium-kansas-city/ https://launiusr.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/the-beatles-and-charles-o-finley-owner-of-the-kansas-city-as-in-the-1960s/
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LadyLeslie:
Is the late Charles Finley still considered a hero in Kansas City for bringing the Beatles to Kansas City?
Charles Finley is an interesting character, but in my opinion, he wouldn't be classified as a hero. In 1964 his baseball team, the KC Athletics, was losing money, and was on a losing streak (I think I read they lost 157 games). After the Beatles accepted his offer of $150,000 to play in Kansas City on their day off, Finley had his photo printed on the reverse of the tickets for the concert, showing him wearing a Beatles wig with the slogan "Today's Beatles fans are tomorrow's baseball fans." Rather than being a hero, I think to many people he was perceived as a desperate man trying to save his baseball team. By bringing the Beatles to KC, his name and his baseball team would receive recognition and publicity. The concert lost money for him though, only 21,000 of the 35,000 available seats were sold... 21,000 is still a good crowd though. But Mr. Finley does have his admirers though... I met some people at a screening of the Ron Howard Beatles Documentary in Kansas City who said their parents worked for Finley in the 1960s, and that they thought it was a privilege to work for him, and that he was always very good to his employees and their families. More about Finley and the Beatles are at these links: https://www.beatlesbible.com/1964/09/17/live-municipal-stadium-kansas-city/ https://launiusr.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/the-beatles-and-charles-o-finley-owner-of-the-kansas-city-as-in-the-1960s/
When you really think about it LadyLeslie, the Charles Finley/Beatles story is the stuff of legend! Is it true that Finley was willing to pay the Beatles more than 150,000 but John Lennon kept saying "no?" Lennon even replied that no amount of money could make the Beatles play in Kansas City! What was the highest figure that Finley offered the Beatles? This story fascinates me!
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It is an interesting story. Finley had flown to San Francisco to meet with Brian Epstein to negotiate bringing the Beatles to Kansas City. I think Brian Epstein, rather than John Lennon, is the one who kept refusing the amounts Finley offered. The highest and final offer from Finley was $150,000 for a 30 minute concert. After the last offer, Epstein agreed to discuss it with The Beatles, and they accepted. It's sad that the two landmarks of the Beatles time in Kansas City have been torn down... Municipal Stadium, where they performed, was torn down in 1976, and the Muehlebach Hotel annex, where they stayed during their day in Kansas City, was demolished in 1996 but was completely rebuilt on the same site.
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LadyLeslie:
It is an interesting story. Finley had flown to San Francisco to meet with Brian Epstein to negotiate bringing the Beatles to Kansas City. I think Brian Epstein, rather than John Lennon, is the one who kept refusing the amounts Finley offered. The highest and final offer from Finley was $150,000 for a 30 minute concert. After the last offer, Epstein agreed to discuss it with The Beatles, and they accepted. It's sad that the two landmarks of the Beatles time in Kansas City have been torn down... Municipal Stadium, where they performed, was torn down in 1976, and the Muehlebach Hotel annex, where they stayed during their day in Kansas City, was demolished in 1996 but was completely rebuilt on the same site.
Hi LadyLeslie! First of all, welcome to the forum! I am so fascinated by this story of legend, did you ever buy and read the "BEATLES '64: GOIN' TO KANSAS CITY" by Joseph A. Tunzi/J.A.T. Productions, Text by Mark Naboshek? It also contains a CD of the Beatles Press Conference recorded on 17 September 1964. I am going to read out of the attached 31 page book telling the entire Charles Finley/Beatles story, quote for quote, pages 10 through 17. It is as follows: Ushered into the Beatles' suite, Finley found himself face-to-face with Brian Epstein and John Lennon. He was there with a special request. At that night's show, he (Finley) wanted the band to play for longer than their customary half-hour. After all, he (Finley) was paying $150,000 for their services. He addressed Brian, who glanced over at John, hoping that he would intercede. John, looking for some fun, decided to do the talking for Brian. In Finley, John saw a man who always got his way. He considered Charlie a challenge and played it to the hilt. Each time John said "no" to his (Finley) request for an extended set, Finley would offer more money. The more he (Finley) offered, the more adamantly John declined. Charlie would up the ante and John would shake his head. A simple request quickly turned into a business negotiation, a battle of will between Finley and Lennon as Brian sat silently by. Finally, at wit's end after numerous refusals, Finley turned red with anger, called the group (Beatles) "a bunch of boys" and stormed out of the room. But the Beatles hadn't seen the last of Charles Finley. Early that next evening, following the press conference, the Beatles were whisked off to the Municipal Stadium for the night's show. Backstage in the dressing room, the Beatles had a visitor. Charles Finley was back with one final plea for an extended set of songs. Lennon looked at him and refused the request once again. "We never do more than eleven, Chuck," Lennon told him. Lennon would also tell Finley "you shouldn't have paid all that money." Finley, having met his match, stormed out of the dressing room. In the end, the Beatles set list for that night was as follows: Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey Twist and Shout You Can't Do That All My Loving She Loves You Things We Said Today Roll Over Beethoven Can't Buy Me Love If I Fell I Want To Hold Your Hand Boys A Hard Day's Night Long Tall Sally What do you think of this LadyLeslie? This is the reason why I was asking you if you knew what the highest figure Finley offered the Beatles. Evidently, Finley offered the Beatles more than $150,000.
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Thanks for posting about this! I hadn't heard there were higher offers from Finley. I knew there was a recording/CD of the Beatles press conference in Kansas City, and there was a book that came with that... but I haven't seen a copy. Sounds very interesting!
Will have to get a copy of the book you mentioned, I'd enjoy reading it, thanks for letting me know about it! The CD of the Beatles press conference in KC is available on YouTube at
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LadyLeslie:
Thanks for posting about this! I hadn't heard there were higher offers from Finley. I knew there was a recording/CD of the Beatles press conference in Kansas City, and there was a book that came with that... but I haven't seen a copy. Sounds very interesting!
Will have to get a copy of the book you mentioned, I'd enjoy reading it, thanks for letting me know about it! The CD of the Beatles press conference in KC is available on YouTube at
You're very welcome LadyLeslie! You have to read the entire incredible story of what happened in KC in 1964! You can purchase this item on amazon or ebay pretty reasonable. This item is really a collectible that has sold for nearly $70.00. I hope you get it, I am looking forward to hearing your views and opinions on this topic. Take care.
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You can purchase this item on amazon or ebay pretty reasonable. This item is really a collectible that has sold for nearly $70.00.
Thanks so much! I'll try to get this soon. Am anxious to read it.
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LadyLeslie:
You can purchase this item on amazon or ebay pretty reasonable. This item is really a collectible that has sold for nearly $70.00.
Thanks so much! I'll try to get this soon. Am anxious to read it.
You're very welcome LadyLeslie.
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I'm glad that I found this Kansas City thread that LadyLeslie started a while back, please read.
