John rattles royal conventions with jewellery joke
On November 4, 1963 the Beatles perform at the Royal Variety Performance in London attended by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. Prior to ripping into a rousing rendition of their closing number, Lennon said, “For our last number I’d like to ask your help.
Poking fun at the royal guests in the Prince of Wales Theatre, he asked the audience: “Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? All the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewellery.”
The Beatles introduced to the Queen Mother ahead of their appearance at the Royal Variety Performance on November 4, 1963
It was outrageously funny and highly anti-establishment and typical Lennon humour. You can see by his relieved smile he knew he what he was doing and felt he had got away with it without potential censure.
Below, a video with John’s comment on 4.45 mins as he introduces their last number Twist and Shout. The Beatles were the seventh act of the evening (out of 19) and launched their set with “From Me to You.”
In this other video, prior to the show, The Beatles are questioned about appearing in front of royalty for the first time and what that might mean for their act and demeanour.
Read the full blog: The Beatle, The Bankie & The Bouquet .
The full story behind John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s donation to Clyde shipbuilders of the UCS in 1971 as he went from Beatle to political and peace activist.
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