Night the Fab Four rocked St Helens (From St Helens Star)

Night the Fab Four rocked St Helens

9:39am Thursday 28th June 2012 in Leisure By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

IT was 50 years ago this month, when a band referred to on the poster as ‘The North’s No 1 Rock Combo’, played in St Helens.

Just three years later in 1965, The Beatles played in front of 55,000 at the Shea Stadium in New York.

Back in 1962, the Fab Four played a series of gigs at the Plaza Ballroom, later to become the Orange House, on Duke Street.

Despite the historical significance, however, just one item of memorabilia remains from the concert – a handbill, which is valued at around £750.

A company, which is one of the leading collectors of Beatles memorabilia, is asking Star readers if they have any mementoes of the performances.

Tracks Ltd will also provide quotes for items related to the Beatles.

Interest in the Beatles has seen memorabilia double in value in the past five years.

A concert poster from St Helens, in decent condition, could be worth around £4,000 to £5,000, compared with £2,000 five years ago.

A small ticket stub would go for around £50 and a larger, more elaborate one issued in 1962 and early 1963 is valued at around £150.

Beatles programmes bring between £25 and £35, with handbills reaching £300 and £500.

• IF you have any Beatles memorabilia from the St Helens gigs, contact Tracks Ltd. PO Box 117, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 0QR, call 01257 269726 or fax 01257 231340.