An extremely rare vintage photograph of the Beatles performing at "Operation Big Beat" at the Tower Ballroom, Liverpool in November, 1961. This was taken by Beatle friend and "Mersey Beat" photographer Brian Matthews. Printed and filed away in '61, it was rediscovered in late 1964 and printed as an exclusive in the February 1965 issue of"16 Magazine." On the reverse, Matthews has written "Tower 1961" and his impression of the photo, noting "On Stage. Often due to the slapstick transport arrangements or other troubles, co-billed groups might fail to arrive, and often the Beatles would have to fill in by marathon performances of two, three or four hours non-stop." This photograph was the original used the February, 1965 article in 16 MAGAZINE titled "Newly Discovered Pix of the Beatles Before They Became Famous." It comes from the archive of "16" editior Gloria Stavers and has her copyright stamps on the reverse. Pre-fame photographs of the Beatles (printed at the time) are extremely rare and desirable, and this one is a beauty !