The Beatles In Sweden

Tracks Valuation Days In Sweden

 

Sunday 22^nd October – Sunday 29^th October 2023

 

MEMORABILIA VALUES

The Beatles Signatures – £4000 1960s Concert Posters – £10,000 Handbills – £600+ Signed Albums – £15,000 to £20,000

Jimi Hendrix Signatures – £1500 1960s Concert Posters – £10,000 Handbills – £700 Concert Programmes – £75 Concert Tickets – £75

Led Zeppelin Signatures – £8000 Signed Albums – £8000 to £10,000 60s/70s Concert Posters – £7000 To £10,000 Handbills – £500 Concert Programmes – £50 Concert Tickets – £75

Rolling Stones Signatures – Up to £800 (more on a record, programme or photograph) 1960s Concert Posters – £10,000 Handbills – £500

Pink Floyd Signatures – £750 1960s Concert Posters – £1500+ Handbills – £300

The Who Signatures – £700 1960s Concert Posters – £5000 Handbills – £75 Concert Programmes – £15

Punk/New Wave Memorabilia Sex Pistols 1976 Tour Poster – £2000 To £3000 Clash 1976/1977 Concert Poster – Around £2000 Ian Curtis Handwritten Letter – £2000

80s Artists Madonna Worn Dress – £5,000 Prince Used/Owned Guitar – £100,000 Michael Jackson Performance Jacket – £10,000

This month it will be 60 years since The Beatles first played in Sweden. To commemorate this Tracks, the UK based Beatles and music memorabilia specialists, are holding valuation days in cities across the country from Sunday the 22^nd October until Sunday the 29^th October. We will be visiting Stockholm (22^nd), Eskilstuna (23^rd), Karlstad (25^th), Boras (28^th) and Gothenburg (29^th). You are invited to bring any rare item of music memorabilia for a free valuation. Full details of these events can be found below.

The market for Beatles and music related memorabilia which began in the eighties has since grown exponentially in size and significance. It is a market worth millions now and the scope is becoming increasingly wide in terms of the artists it includes.

In the world of music memorabilia, the artists and bands whose ephemera attract the highest prices are: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Who, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson and Nirvana/Kurt Cobain.

Much of this interest in pop memorabilia emanates from the fact that rock ‘n’ roll music, artists and bands have played a significant part in many people’s lives both during their teenage and adult years. For many people, collecting memorabilia is a way of preserving memories of concerts and remembering their idols. In addition, many of the pop posters from the 60’s and 70’s are now seen to have considerable artistic merit.

Autographs and written material are of great interest to collectors. The signatures of The Beatles have always brought the most money. A good clean set of autographs can be £4,000 upwards and a set from 1967 can be in excess of £5,000. Album sleeves autographed by The Beatles can bring £15,000 to £20,000 and even more if signed on one of the later releases. An album signed on the front cover by Led Zeppelin or Jimi Hendrix can realise £8000 to £10,000.

Concert memorabilia is another strong area of interest. Vintage concert posters from the 1960s relating to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix or a poster from the 1970s relating to Led Zeppelin can bring £8000 to £10,000.

Punk memorabilia relating to the Sex Pistols and the Clash and other groups of that era have become highly sought after as of late. Posters from the Sex Pistols tour of 1976 when most of the concerts were cancelled can bring £2000 to £3000 if in excellent condition. A good peak period poster from a Clash concert from 1976 or 1977 could bring around £2000. A cult has grown up around the Manchester band Joy Division and associated memorabilia has risen in price recently. For example, a letter written by their deceased lead vocalist Ian Curtis could raise around £2000. Artifacts relating to The Smiths are always in constant demand also.

Material relating to the 80s icons Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson can bring stratospheric prices. For example, a Madonna worn dress can fetch around £5000, a Prince owned or used guitar can fetch around £100,000 and a Michael Jackson performance jacket can fetch around £10,000.

In addition to the above, handwritten lyrics, stage used or personally worn clothing, instruments, awards, personal effects and record company promotional items from any major group or artist are the types of items which Tracks are interested in appraising and evaluating.

Tracks are not only offering free advice and valuations but are also interested in buying items relating to any major artist or band on the day - immediate payment can be made by bank transfer.

 

Beatles Concerts In Sweden

 

The Beatles flew to Sweden on the 23^rd October 1963 for their first ever foreign tour. The Swedish press gave them a cautious welcome: “Expressen” wrote that in Beatlemania, a new cult was about to hit Sweden. They warned that “Worried parents can sense if there is a Beatle in the house if their son is letting his hair grow long and spends hours in front of the mirror trying to get it right”! “Eskilstuna Kuriren” wrote, “What more can pop crazy teenagers wish for?”!

 

23^rd October – Stockholm – The Beatles landed at Arlanda International airport. They were greeted by several Swedish schoolgirls who welcomed their idols with flowers. During their visit to Stockholm, they stayed at the Hotel Continental in front of Central Station. They held their first foreign press conference shortly after arriving at the hotel. In the evening, they visited the Nalen club.

 

24^th October – Stockholm – The Beatles’ first engagement in Stockholm was to record a radio appearance at the Karlapansstudion. The recording, which they played live, is now regarded as one of their best ever performances. It included the following seven songs: ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘From Me To You’, ‘Money’, ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, ‘You Really Got A Hold On Me’, ‘She Loves You’ and ‘Twist And Shout’. The performance was broadcast on Swedish national radio on Monday 11^th November.

 

25^th October – Stockholm And Karlstad – The Beatles visited Stockholm’s Stadshus where they were photographed by Bo Trenter and Robert Freeman. The cover photograph for the ‘Long Tall Sally’ EP was taken on this occasion. The group filmed each other with an 8mm camera.

 

The next stop was Hotorget where more photos were taken including a great shot of the Beatles jumping up in front of “Sergel Teatern”. After a little bit of sightseeing, the group then left for Karlstad. Six American wagons and one trailer travelled the 300 km to this tiny town… and it was snowing! All four Beatles travelled in the same car, they arrived at the Statshotellet in Karlstad later that evening, George and Ringo shared a double room and John and Paul another.

 

The Beatles’ first concert took place at Sundsta Läroverk secondary school with the first show commencing at 7pm and the second one 9pm. The venue could hold up to 750 people but it was only three quarters full for each of the two concerts. The group were supported by two bands - Svend Millers Pop Stars and the Phantoms. The Beatles’ repertoire for the two performances and for the remainder of the short tour consisted of: ‘Long Tall Sally’, ‘Please Please Me’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’, ‘From Me To You’, ‘A Taste Of Honey’, ‘Chains’, ‘Boys’, ‘She Loves You’ and ‘Twist And Shout’. The microphone broke as John was singing ‘Twist And Shout’ and it had to be repaired after the group’s next number.

 

The Beatles received a warm reception from their Swedish fans but the local press was not too kind. Johnny, the pop reviewer from local Karlstad newspaper – Nya Wernlands Tidning – thought that the Beatles were terrible and their music corny. He mentioned that the group should have been grateful that the fans screaming helped drown out their awful performance! Johnny finished by stating that the Beatles were of no musical importance whatsoever and that the local support group the Phantoms outshone them!

 

After the concert, the group went back to their hotel for a late dinner and a rest.

 

26^th October – Stockholm – The Beatles played two shows at the Royal Tennis Hall (Kungliga Tennishallen), one at 5pm and the other at 8pm. They were second on the bill to Joey Dee and the Starlighters! Incidentally, three members of the Starlighters later formed the successful “Young Rascals” group. Apparently, a film was made of the Beatles’ performance in the Royal Tennis Hall on this evening but unfortunately it was stolen and has never been traced. Does anyone know where the film is? After the concert, Joey Dee held a party at the Foresta Hotel, which was attended by Ringo and John. Paul and George stayed behind at the Continental Hotel.

 

27^th October – Gothenburg – The Beatles travelled to Gothenburg in the same car and on their arrival, booked into the Park Avenue Hotel. They performed three shows – 3pm, 5pm and 7pm at the Cirkus in Lorensbergsparken. The group were supported by Jerry Williams and Ken Levvy and the Phantoms. Next day’s papers reported that, “Never had so many shoes stamped the floor at the Cirkus as they had done on this day”.

 

28^th October – Boras – The Beatles made the short journey from Gothenburg to Boras in the morning.  They then spent a couple of hours signing autographs at a specially arranged signing session at a music store called Waidele Musik in the afternoon. Many eager fans got their record sleeves and autograph books signed by the group. In the evening, they held a concert at the Boras Hallem at 7pm. From all reports, they were met by a wild and very appreciative audience.

 

29^th October – Eskilstuna – The Beatles’ final performance of this tour was held in Eskilstuna at the Sporthallen, Hamngatan at 5pm. 2000 people saw them at this concert.

 

30^th October – Stockholm – The Beatles returned to Stockholm to record an appearance on the Swedish television pop show ‘Drop In’. In the afternoon, they spent a couple of hours rehearsing and then left for lunch. Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall, Klas Burling, (the producer), Kersti Adams-Ray and various photographers accompanied them. The Swedish photographer Bo Trenter took some excellent photographs of the group including one of them holding up an enormous cake. This shot would later be used on the cover of a Swedish E.P release. Another shot made its way onto the Swedish issue of the E.P ‘All My Loving’. Later in the afternoon, Paul and Ringo went shopping at NK, the biggest store in Stockholm. 

 

The recording was taped before a live audience at Narrenteatern, a small theatre within the Stockholm amusement park Grona Lund. Klas Burling, the show’s presenter, persuaded The Beatles to perform four songs: ‘She Loves You’, ‘Twist And Shout’, ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’ to a rapturous audience. After the show, the Beatles left the arena theatre in a green police car, followed by a horde of screaming Swedish fans! Rumour has it that they played at the Continental Hotel for a further hour. Later, they travelled to the Swedish fan club and signed autographs. The programme was broadcast on Swedish television on 3^rd November 1963.

 

31^st October – Prior to leaving Sweden, Klas Burling interviewed Paul and Ringo. The Beatles then took the morning flight back to London airport where they were met by 20,000 fans. The group were left confused as they were under the impression that people were waiting for the Queen!

 

 Other Notable Groups To Play In Sweden

 

Many other famous artists of the 1960s and 1970s also played in Sweden including the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd and many others. Items associated with these groups are highly collectible and some are very valuable.

 

Our Valuation Days In Sweden

 

Location	Details
Stockholm	Sunday 22nd October 2023 Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, B6 Conference Room, Vasagatan 1, Stockholm, SE-101 24 between 10.00am and 6.00pm on the 22nd October. Free admission.
Eskilstuna	Monday 23rd October 2023 Best Western Plaza Hotel, Pantern and Zebran Rooms, Drottninggatan 9, Eskilstuna, SE-632 20 between 11.00am and 5.00pm on the 23rd October. Free admission.
Karlstad	Wednesday 25th October 2023 Elite Stadshotellet Karlstad Hotel, Empiren Room, Kungsgatan 22, Karlstad, SE-652 24 between 10.30am and 5.30pm on the 25th October. Free admission.
Boras	Saturday 28th October 2023 Scandic Boras Plaza Hotel, Tyll Room, Allegatan 3, Boras, SE-503 32 between 10.30am and 5.30pm on the 28th October. Free admission.
Gothenburg	Sunday 29th October 2023 Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Tistlarna Boardroom, Sodra Hamngatan 59, Gothenburg, SE-401 24 between 10.30am and 5.30pm on the 29th October. Free admission.