June 19, 1964 | The Beatles Conquer Australia

June 19, 1964 - Birthday presents rained on Beatle Paul McCartney throughout the Beatles’ two Sydney Stadium concerts last night in Australia.
About 20,000 wildly ecstatic fans made it Paul’s night — yesterday was his 22nd birthday — and turned the performances into a deafening celebration.
As the Stadium filled with the pulsing sound of Beatle music and a fanatical chorus of teenage squeals, young girls ran down aisles to toss birthday gifts at Paul’s feet.
Jelly baby sweets rained from the ringside. A bouquet of roses and several single flowers joined the presents, which included a toy koala, a boomerang, and a large wrapped box.
Both concerts finished with people jumping on their seats and screeching with excitement. The stage was a litter of streamers and gifts.
When the Beatles played “This Boy,” with Paul in the center, the passionate screams of approval were deafening.
Despite the mass screaming, the Beatles could be clearly heard in all numbers except one.
That was when George Harrison looked at his watch and announced in his thick Liverpool accent: “The clock says this next number will have to be our last,” and swung the long-haired four into “Long Tall Sally.”
Thousands shrilled, shouted, clapped, and jumped in a finale frenzy.
Then it was all over, and the Beatles ran for their dressing room.
Delirious teens rushed towards them but found about 30 policemen forming a guard.
The police had little difficulty keeping the traffic moving smoothly before and after the concerts, and a police officer said the behavior of the fans was “exemplary.”
One policeman said: “We had more fuss than this for Johnny Ray.”
Souvenir sellers had a lean time for much of the evening, and several reported that sales of Beatles badges, programs, wigs, and “I’m a Beatle Fan” cards were poor.

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