‘I feel sick and angry that we’re here 60 years later’: Sir Paul McCartney reflects on The Beatles’ refusal to play segregated show in 1964… as he laments ongoing racial tensions
Sir Paul McCartney admitted he felt ‘sick and angry’ over ongoing racial tensions, as he reflected on The Beatles refusal to play a show for a segregated audience in 1964.
The music icon, 77, took to Twitter on Friday to relate the story, as he lamented George Floyd‘s tragic death last week after Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.
In a lengthy statement, he said: ‘As we continue to see the protests and demonstrations across the world, I know many of us want to know just what we can be doing to help.
‘I feel sick and angry that we’re here 60 years later’: Sir Paul McCartney reflected on The Beatles’ refusal to play segregated show in 1964 on Friday
‘None of us have all the answers and there is no quick fix but we need change. We all need to work together to overcome racism in any form.
‘We need to learn more, listen more, talk more, educate ourselves and, above all, take action.’
Going on to explain what happened with the iconic group, he went on: ‘In 1964 The Beatles were due to play Jacksonville in the US and we found out that it was going to be to a segregated audience. It felt wrong.
Honest: The music icon, 77, took to Twitter to share a lengthy statement lamenting ongoing racial tensions, as he said ‘we all need to work together to overcome racism in any form’
Story: Explaining what happened with the group (pictured in 1963), Paul said in 1964 they were asked to perform in front of a segregated audience in Jacksonville but refused as it ‘felt wrong’
‘We said “We’re not doing that!” and the concert we did do was to their first non-segregated audience. We then made sure this was in our contract. To us it seemed like common sense.’
Speaking passionately about recent events, Paul added: ‘I feel sick and angry that here we are almost 60 years later and the world is in shock at the horrific scenes of the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of police racism, along with the countless others that came before.’
‘All of us here support and stand alongside all those who are protesting and raising their voices at this time.
‘I want justice for George Floyd’s family, I want justice for all those who have died and suffered. Saying nothing is not an option,’ Paul concluded.
At the time, Paul’s late band mate John Lennon said: ‘We never play to segregated audiences and we aren’t going to start now. I’d sooner lose out appearance money.’
The group – which also consists of Sir Ringo Starr and the late George Harrison – played a 30 minute set for the adoring crowd.
Helping: Paul added, ‘We said “We’re not doing that!” and the concert we did do was to their first non-segregated audience. We then made sure this was in our contract’ (pictured in 1964)