The Beatles’ first performance during their residency in Hamburg half a century ago has been re-imagined by New York-based collective Bambi Kino, who are named after The Beatles’ infamously rough accommodation in the city.
It was August 17th, 1960 when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best made their bow at the Indra Musikklub venue, beginning a period of their early career which would help to shape their future.
Playing the same set the young Beatles played that night, dominated by Fifties rock n roll covers, Bambi Kino frontman Mark Rozzo spoke of his delight at getting the opportunity to follow in The Beatles’ footsteps. “It really is a thrill to play here,” he enthused. “It was 50 years ago, right this very minute! We’re not doing too many Lennon/ McCartney songs tonight, we’re playing what they played. We are huge fans of the Hamburg ’60s sound.”
The club’s manager Horst Fascher, who played a lead role in bringing the band to Germany back in 1960, told Spinner the show had brought back many happy memories. “The show has brought back many happy memories, I loved the Beatles, I loved living with them, all the time I spent with them,” he said.
“Only 30 or so people were there originally, the club was nearly empty. They were an unknown band, an unknown name having not recorded anything. Also it was their first time playing with Best, they had not rehearsed at all.”
The Beatles’ original run in Hamburg was cut short in the December of 1960 after George Harrison was deported. They later returned for a further series of gigs in April 1961.
