We Come in Peace: The Beatles in NZ 50th Anniversary

We Come in Peace: The Beatles in New Zealand 50th Anniversary

When: Sunday 15 June, 2pm

Where: Museum of Wellington City & Sea, Queens Wharf

Booking: $5 per person

Email: museumtours@wmt.org.nz or phone 04 472 8904

Beatlemania hits the Museum of Wellington City & Sea on Sunday 15 June at 2pm. The Museum welcomes music writers Redmer Yska and Chris Bourke to present the ‘real’ story of the 1964 Beatles tour of New Zealand, with a focus on the Wellington back story.

Yska and Bourke say, “The 1964 tour was a watershed moment in popular culture of the country.

From the moment they arrived at Wellington Airport on a Sunday afternoon- greeted by thousands of fans- they were treated like conquering heroes.”

Beatles specialists, Yska and Bourke were young local Wellingtonians when the popular band visited the capital city. Both went on to become writers who have specialised in music and cultural history.

In the visit to Wellington, the Beatles shows at the Town hall were packed with screaming fans, which made it difficult to hear the music. The frenzy that hit the streets of Wellington surprised the authorities who struggled to provide adequate security for the band.

We Come in Peace recalls the week that the Beatles invaded New Zealand, 50 years ago this June.

The title comes from a joke that Ringo Starr made when confronted by the Maori welcome at Wellington Airport. The event will cover a discussion on this pivotal moment in 1960s Wellington and New Zealand history followed by a musical afternoon of Beatles covers.

Ends

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