As a ‘Beatle,’ Paul McCartney Wrote 2 Songs While in Atlantic City, NJ

Did you know that Paul McCartney wrote two songs while ”The Beatles” were performing in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1964?

This is a rarely told story that I find fascinating. Below, is my ticket from the iconic Sunday, August 30, 1964 “The Beatles” in concert.

“The Beatles” appeared in the Atlantic City Convention Center, yet, the show was presented by George Hamid and The Steel Pier.

The Steel Pier wasn’t big enough for “The Beatles” and George Hamid well remembered when Steel Pier was swaying back and forth during Ricky Nelson’s iconic appearance … many, including Joe Grady of famed Grady & Hurst thought that the Steel Pier was going to collapse, and he never returned, again. (see photo below):

The Beatles performance in Atlantic City was before a sold out crowd of 18,000 adoring fans. The Beatles spent the night before at The Lafayette Motel in Atlantic City.

On the day of the show, The Beatles left at 2:15 p.m., hidden in the back of a Barbera Fish truck ... which they took to their tour bus and then on to Atlantic City Convention Hall.

This fact was confirmed by Hamid, Jr., during our live on-air interview on then WFPG Talk Radio 1450 in the 1990’s.

In case you re wondering what was the song setlist on August 30, 1964 in Atlantic City ... here it is:

The Beatles played their standard 12-song set:

'Twist And Shout', 'You Can't Do That', 'All My Loving,’ She Loves You', 'Things We Said Today', 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Can't Buy Me Love', 'If I Fell', I Want To Hold Your Hand', 'Boys', 'A Hard Day's Night', and 'Long Tall Sally'.

The opening acts were:

The Cyrkle, Impressions, Righteous Brothers and Jackie DeShannon.

The Beatles left the Atlantic City concert in a laundry truck; which then connected to their waiting limousine. This was confirmed to me by Hamid, Jr.

Here's another fact that most have never heard. It is confirmed by beatlesbible.com

John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote two songs while they were in Atlantic City for the Beatles "For Sale" album.

We pulled this quote from beatlesbible.com (The first song was titled "Every Little Thing," about which

McCartney said:

John and I got this one written in Atlantic City during our last tour of the States. John does the guitar riff for this one, and George is on acoustic. Ringo bashes some timpani drums for the big noises you'll hear, said McCartney.

The other song written during the break in New Jersey was 'What You're Doing'.

We wrote this one in Atlantic City like 'Every Little Thing'! It's not that Atlantic City is particularly inspiring, it's just that we happened to have a day off the tour there! said McCartney.

“Ringo does a nice bit of drumming decoration in the introduction, and I double-track on the vocal as well as playing some piano,“ said McCartney.

Ouch, that stings, with McCartney saying that Atlantic City is not "particularly inspiring."

During McCartney’s triumphant return to the same venue in 2002, 38 years later … McCartney sang 37 songs, including two amazing encores and never took a sip of water in more than 2 1/2 hours.

It’s the most amazing concert that I’ve ever witnessed.

In a pinch me moment, I spent more than 40 minutes with McCartney, until the second he walked onto the stage.

Here we are from September 28, 2002:

It was a surreal experience. Sir Paul did not recall much about the 1964 The Beatles appearance regarding the behind the scenes things ... such as traveling secretly in a fish truck or laundry truck, etc.

Here are some Beatles and McCartney photos, as well as other greats who have played at Steel Pier in Atlantic City: