John Lennon Signed Historically Important “Top Ten Club” Hamburg Germany 1961 Entry Visa Documents For Beatles Performances.
The Beatles' first visit to Hamburg, in 1960, came about thanks to Liverpool promoter Allan Williams, who had connected with Bruno Koschmider, owner of the Kaiserkeller night club and other venues in Hamburg's red-light district. Williams had sent several Liverpool groups over to Hamburg and Koschmider needed another to play at a new club he was opening, the Indra. Williams offered the Silver Beatles (as they were known then) the opportunity to fill the bill. However, they lacked a permanent drummer, but just two days before they were to leave for Hamburg, they offered Pete Best the job. On the 15th August, the newly-christened Beatles left for Germany with all their equipment in Allan Williams' van, arriving in Hamburg some 36 hours later.
The Beatles' contract with Koschmider originally ran from 17th August to 16th October. They were required to play for 4 1/2 hours every weekday night and six on both Saturday and Sunday, a pretty grueling schedule. This contract was then extended to 31st December. However, at the end of November George was ordered to leave the country after it had become clear to the authorities that he was under 18 and, according to German law, was not allowed to stay or work in a nightclub after midnight. At the same time, Paul and Pete went to the squalid 'digs' provided by Koschmider, two tiny rooms just behind the screen of a small cinema he owned, and in order to provide some light in the darkened, closed premises, the two Beatles set light to a wall hanging. They packed their belongings in order to take up the offer of new employment and accommodation in a rival club, the Top Ten, and left the smoldering tapestry. Koschmider was then informed that the Beatles had tried to set fire to the cinema and he went to the police. Paul, Pete, John and bassist Stuart Sutcliffe were soon arrested and put in the cells. When it was clear that John and Stuart were innocent, they were allowed to go but Paul and Pete were deported on a flight back to London on 1st December.
Lennon eventually left Hamburg on the 7th December, undertaking the somewhat arduous journey by boat and various trains back to Liverpool, complete with his amplifier, and arrived there in the middle of the night on the 8th. He returned to his home at his Aunt Mimi's and had to throw stones at her bedroom window to let her know he was there.
Despite the troubles of a few months earlier, the Beatles returned to Germany to take up a three-month residency at the Top Ten Club in April 1961. Offered here is the actual entry visa document, signed by John Lennon on 2/28/1961 to gain entry to Hamburg, Germany. The document is completely filled out in Lennon’s hand, in a ballpoint pen. Lennon also writes his full printed name along with a lot of information, including writing the words “Top Ten Club”.
The trips to Hamburg were essential to The Beatles, they had served their apprenticeship, and served it the hard way. They were now ready to take on whatever the world could throw at them. In an interview in 1969, John described their time in Hamburg thus: "We went in young boys and came out old men." This incredible item is not only historic for the Beatles, but for Music memorabilia.
Authentication: Frank Caiazzo Letter of Authenticity, a Roger Epperson (REAL) Letter of Authenticity and a Gotta Have Rock and Roll Certificate of Authenticity.