The ONLY Close Up Photographs of the ONLY Beatles Concert They Ever Played in Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN (December 14, 2015) This past August, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ONLY concert The Beatles ever performed in the state of Minnesota (August 21, 1965) The Bob Bonis Archive created a one-day exhibition and sale of the ONLY close-up photographs known to exist of that historic show. The exhibit at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Mall of America drew such an enthusiastic response that the Bonis Archive has brought back the show and sale for the people of Minnesota just in time for the holidays.

The Bob Bonis Archive, representing the photographic legacy of Bob Bonis - who was U.S. Tour Manager for both The Beatles and the Rolling Stones from 1964-1966 - has announced two exhibitions of 32 of the only close-up photographs known to exist of this historic concert.

The historic Beatles exhibitions are currently on display through the end of the year at the Hard Rock Café Mall of America, and at Jean Stephen Gallery, 4811 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN. Limited edition fine art prints of these iconic and historically important photographs are available for sale at both locations.

Additionally the Bob Bonis Archive has just published a new book entitled The Beatles in Minnesota, which contains many of these photos plus historic memorabilia, previously unpublished photographs and the real backstory to this important concert event. WDGY Disc Jockey, Bill Diehl, who emceed the concert and introduced The Beatles live on stage, wrote the foreword for the book, which is available at both exhibits and on the Archive's website, signed by author Bob Bonis curator and noted rock historian Larry Marion, for $24.95. The book and prints are also available at BeatlesMN.com.

The Beatles hold a very special place in the hearts of Minnesotans as they played there only one time, and until now there have been no close-up photographs of the event available. The stadium was subsequently demolished to make way for the construction of the Mall of America. In the final design of the Mall, a portion of the original stage was preserved to pay homage to The Beatles¹ one and only Minnesota performance.

The Fascinating Story Behind Why Tour Manager Bob Bonis Was The ONLY Photographer Permitted On The Field On August 21, 1965 At Metropolitan Stadium:

Although The Beatles toured America three times between 1964 and 1966, they performed one time only in Minnesota, at the (Old) Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington on August 21, 1965, to an estimated audience of 30,000 teenage fans. The Fab Four flew in to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport from Midway Airport in Chicago, where they had played to 50,000 fans at Comiskey Park the night before, arriving at 4:15 pm. They were greeted by 3,000 screaming, mostly female, fans. A few of the young girls broke through security and rushed The Beatles as they descended the airplane steps. Security freed them and they were rushed to waiting limousines which took them directly to Metropolitan Stadium where they held a scheduled press conference.

Promoter Ray "Big Reggie" Colihan was extremely security conscious. Heightened by the problems at the airport, he decided that no one, including journalists, photographers and even the mayor, would be allowed on the field. Unlike other concerts on the tour where photographers were allowed to approach the stage to take pictures there are no close-up photographs of The Beatles performing in Minnesota, until now. Bob Bonis, who was The Beatles¹ U.S. Tour Manager was also an avid photographer and had his trusted Leica M3 camera with him as he stood at the side of the stage watching over the performance.

Exhibitions and sales of limited edition prints, all accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the GRAMMY Museum® at L.A. LIVE, are now open to the public at both Jean Stephen Galleries at 4811 Excelsior Ave. in St. Louis Park and at the Hard Rock Cafe at the Mall of America through the end of the year, and on the archive's website at BeatlesMN.com. Metropolitan Stadium was torn down in 1992 to build the Mall of America so this exhibit is taking place on the exact footprint of where this famous concert took place.

Introduced by legendary WDGY DJ Bill Diehl, during this historic concert The Beatles played 11 songs for the ecstatic crowd: "She's a Woman", "I Feel Fine", "Dizzy Miss Lizzy", "Ticket To Ride", "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby", "Can't Buy Me Love", "Baby's In Black", "I Wanna Be Your Man", "A Hard Day's Night", "Help!" and "I'm Down".

About The Bob Bonis Archive

The Bob Bonis Archive is considered one of the most important photographic discoveries in the world of rock music. From 1964 through 1966, Bob Bonis was the American tour manager for both The Beatles and Rolling Stones, accompanying both bands on their historic U.S. tours ­ coming to and conquering America, and heralding The British Invasion.

During his career, Bonis shot more than 5,000 photographs of the most legendary acts in music history including: 2,700 Rolling Stones photos, 800 Beatles photos, plus an eclectic mix of images encompassing Frank Sinatra, The Lovin¹ Spoonful, Simon & Garfunkel, Chicago, Cream, The Hollies, Peter and Gordon and many of the jazz greats with whom he worked over the years.

Most of these recently discovered photographs have never before been published, made available for purchase, or ever even seen by fans and collectors. Bob Bonis¹ contribution to rock history is a magnificent collection of more than 3,500 historic photographs of two of the greatest bands in the world ­ The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

The unguarded and personal nature of these images reflect Bonis¹ close friendship with the bands and offers a private, behind-the-scenes look into the early days of the historic British Invasion era of rock Œn¹ roll.

The Bob Bonis Archive has partnered with Rare Photo Archives to present, for the first time, the images of Bob Bonis as limited edition fine art prints, each hand numbered, embossed with the Bob Bonis Estate seal, and accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity from the GRAMMY Museum® at L.A. LIVE, and to make these images available for sale to fans and collectors around the world. For more information, go to http://www.BobBonis.com.