Dec 22, 2016
Sorry to hear that Sam Leach, early Beatles concert promoter, has passed away.
Sam staged over 40 Beatles gigs in and around Merseyside over 1961 - 1962, but perhaps the most infamous of what was the Palais Ballroom, Aldershot gig on 9th Dec 1961, where (due to practically zero advertising) the Beatles played to an audience of 18 people.
This photo was taken at that gig (or around it) - Sam Leach is at the front of the picture, next to George, then John and then Dick Matthews, the photographer, next to John.
Sam died yesterday morning (I believe) 21st December 2016 from cancer, a few days after his 81st birthday. He was a regular at Beatleweek and a regular at The Grapes pub, Mathew Street. He will be missed.
