Exhibition walkthrough

The exhibition explores the story of The Beatles’ tour of

Australia in June 1964: how it was planned, how it

unfolded and how it left a lasting impact

on Australian society. Exhibition map

Objects: 1. Concert programs from late 1950s/early 1960s 3. Royal Tour souvenirs2. Radios, records and record player

1. Before the Beatles This section sets the scene in Australia prior to the eruption of ‘Beatlemania’ among teenagers in major Australian cities.

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Objects:1. Issues of The Beatles Monthly Book 3. Early Beatles merchandise 2. Beatles coverage in Australian magazines

2. BeatlemaniaThis section looks at The Beatles’ early popularity overseas, as well as the development of a Beatles following in Australia through exposure to merchandise, magazine advertising and record releases.

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Objects:1. Newspaper articles 3. Personal stories audio2. Invitation to the first press conference at the Sheraton Hotel

3. B-DayThis section looks at Australia’s reaction to The Beatles’ arrival, from the perspectives of both the Australian public and media.

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Objects:1. The Beatles Fan Club memorabilia 3. Interactive2. Reproduction scrapbooks

4. The FansThis section presents some personal responses to Beatlemania by Australian fans, shown in letters, diaries, autograph books and scrapbooks.

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Objects:1. Correspondence between Kenn Brodziak and The Beatles’ manager, the media & publicists2. ‘The Beatles Sing for Shell’ video3.Video in the Kings Cinema

5. Managing the TourThis section looks at aspects of the tour management, including correspondence between Kenn Brodziak and Brian Epstein (The Beatles’ manager), the media, publicists, the supporting acts and the official program publisher.

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6. Twenty Shows in Four CitiesThis section looks at the ‘Bring The Beatles to Adelaide’ campaign and the schedules and reception for the performances in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand and Brisbane.

Objects:1.Microphone and stand used at the Adelaide concert2.Accommodation lists and invitations for press conference meetings3.Newspaper and magazine clippings4.Video of The Beatles arrival in four Australian cities

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Objects:1.Beatles dolls 3. Flip Your Wig board game2.Tea towel and napkins 4. Slideshow – still photos from the tour

7. Beatles MerchandiseThis section looks at the plethora of international and Australian Beatles merchandise purchased by fans as a result of the tour, including dolls, stationery, stockings, belts, jewellery, napkins, tea towels, curtains, wigs, toys, wallets and crockery.

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Objects:1. Cap given by John Lennon to Kenn Brodziak2. Clothing featuring images of The Beatles3.‘Beatlemania took Jenny Kee to London’ article in Women’s Weekly4.‘Home Leave? Bring Them Home for Good’ anti-Vietnam War poster

8. After the TourThis section looks at the impact of the tour on Australian music, fashion and attitudes. The new sense of freedom for young people was a catalyst for a period of social, political and cultural change in Australia.

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Online Resources

The Beatles in Australia exhibitionhttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/

2. The Beatles in Australia exhibition teachers noteshttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/pdf/beatles_teachers_exhibition_notes_low-

res.pdf

3. The Beatles in Australia syllabus linkshttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/syllabus

4. The Beatles in Australia online videoshttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/videos

5. The Beatles in Australia online audiohttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/audio

6. The Beatles in Australia timelineshttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/timelines

7. The Beatles in Australia quizhttp://www.thebeatlesinaustralia.com/quiz/