COUPLE'S NEW DATE WITH BEATLES

Exeter Express & Echo :: 31 March 2003

Beatlemania hit Exeter again at the weekend - rekindling memories for a couple who first saw the Fab Four 40 years ago. Tribute band the Fab Beatles recreated the original group's 1963 visit to Exeter when they played a concert at the former ABC cinema.

For Pat and Den Pacey the show at the Barnfield Theatre on Friday brought back memories of how they got together.

Pat had bought the tickets for the concert and soon afterwards the two of them started dating. The couple have now been married for 35 years and they have two daughters.

Pat, from Heavitree, said: "He had bought the tickets as a surprise because he knew I really liked them. It was our first show together."

Pat remembers screaming along with the other fans, 40 years ago.

She said she really enjoyed the tribute evening. She added: "Everybody was clapping along. It brought back memories."

Den, 56, said he was more of a Rolling Stones fan back then but bought the tickets and went along to see the band anyway.

Friday night's show also brought back memories for Ann Moore, 54, of Heavitree.

She admitted the atmosphere at the original performance was rather different. "I cried all the way through. Someone put their arm around me and didn't know who it was. We couldn't really hear the music because of all the screaming."

When the Beatles returned for a second concert in Exeter in late 1963, Ann met the Fab Four outside their hotel. She said: "The second time I got their autograph and spoke to them. They were great. They were friendly and down to earth."

The Fab Beatles said the concert had been excellent. Kev Day, who takes the role of John Lennon, said: "The Beatles played in Exeter three times. It's just nice to celebrate their music."