Baby Steps

In December, the Beatles' luck appeared to run out: George was ordered to leave Germany for being underage and working in a nightclub. Paul and Pete were also asked to leave the country for allegedly starting a fire in their rooms in Hamburg. They returned to Liverpool somewhat discouraged, but determined to keep making music their way. Their first appearance back in England was at the Casbah Club, where they had first performed a year and a half earlier. A few days later they played on a bill at the Town Hall Ballroom, and that night, as the Beatles launched into songs from their Hamburg set lists, the crowds surged forward to the stage. Their music was tight, powerful, and very catchy. The group was spellbinding, creating a sensation among the assembled teenagers. Liverpool was just getting its very first taste of what would become known around the entire world as Beatlemania.