14 January 1965 – The Yardbirds
Event:
Another Beatles Christmas Show
Location:
Venue: Odeon Theatre
City: Hammersmith, West London
Country: United Kingdom
Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton – Lead Guitar
Keith Relf – Vocals / Harmonica
Chris Dreja – Rhythm Guitar
Paul Samwell-Smith – Bass
Jim McCarty – Drums
Show Notes:
The Yardbirds were one of the support acts at “Another Beatles Christmas Show” which featured music, pantomime sketches, and comedy which ran from 24 December to 16 January 1965 at the Hammersmith Odeon. There were two shows at 6:15 and 8:45pm except on opening night and 29 December when there was only one show. This date’s performance was at 7:30. 29 December was a charity performance (The Beatles For Brady) at 6:15. No shows took place on 25 / 27 December and 3 / 10 January.
The show opened with The Mike Cotton Sound who also backed singer Michael Haslam. The Yardbirds were next, followed by a pantomime sketch featuring The Beatles dressed as Antarctic explorers searching for the Abominable Snowman. The first half closed with Freddie And The Dreamers.Elkie Brooks opened the second half, followed by a short set from Sounds Incorporated. The Beatles closed the show with an eleven song performance. The compère was Jimmy Savile.
It was during these shows that EC began his friendship with George Harrison.