The Beatles Refused to Play for Segregated Audiences, Contract Shows

The recently uncovered contract shows that the band's stand against racial segregation was much more than an idea.

By Jorge Rivas Sep 21, 2011

A contract up for auction next week shows that The Beatles refused to play in front of segregated audiences.

The contract for a 1965 concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California was signed by manager Brian Epstein and specifies that The Beatles "not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience."

It wasn’t the first time the band took a stand  for civil rights in the U.S. In 1964, they refused to perform at a segregated concert at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. After holding out for some time stadium official gave in and the band played an integrated concert.

"We never play to segregated audiences and we aren’t going to start now," said John Lennon, according to the BBC. "I’d sooner lose our appearance money."