Beatlemania revisited – Toronto celebrates 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ final Toronto show
June 9th, 2016
Music fans of all ages will have the chance to relive the madness and glory of the Beatles era, and witness the lasting impact they’ve had on this city. Toronto was the only Canadian city in which the Beatles performed every year they visited North America, between 1964 and 1966. The Beatles played six times in Toronto and, as such, the city has been dubbed the epicenter of Beatlemania in Canada.
August 17th, 1966, was the final Toronto performance by the Beatles. To mark the 50th anniversary of this piece of Toronto music history, the City of Toronto Museums & Heritage Services, along with artists, collectors, and sponsors are coming together to bring you BEATLES 50 T.O.
Photo copyright: John Rowlands, via City of Toronto website
“I was lucky enough to see the Beatles perform at Maple Leaf Gardens in the summer of 1966, and 50 years later, Beatlemania lives on,” said Mayor John Tory. “BEATLES 50 T.O. supports the City’s new Toronto Music Strategy by celebrating our music history in creative and collaborative ways. I encourage Torontonians to hop on the yellow submarine and celebrate one of the most iconic bands in music history.”
BEATLES 50 T.O. features two special anniversary concerts. Classic Albums Live: Beatles 1966, on August 17th, marks the Beatles last Toronto show, 50 years to the day. An A-list collection of musicians from across Canada will recreate the final set, plus a few more Beatles favourites. The show takes place in the Mattamy Athletics Centre, the former site of Maple Leaf Gardens, where the Beatles gave Toronto a final send-off in 1966.
The Massey Hall Band plays the Beatles is a free reinvention of the Beatles’ songbook by acclaimed jazz players. This open-air concert will be held in the heart of Toronto at Yonge-Dundas square, and begins at 8pm on Friday, August 19th.
Two walking tours, developed by music historian Nicholas Jennings, revisit the rocking heydays of Yorkville and the Yonge Street Strip. A third walking tour, created by Piers Hemmingsen, called “When the Beatles Rocked Toronto” examines the Beatles’ connection to the city through stories and locations.
A free outdoor film screening of A Hard Day’s Night on August 25th, and a Beatles inspired fashion show during Toronto Men’s Fashion Week keep the BEATLES 50 T.O. love flowing throughout the summer.
For a complete listing of events, visit http://www.toronto.ca/beatles50. To follow along on social media, use the hashtag #Beatles50TO.
