Fact check: In the 1960, the Beatles added a clause to their contract, refusing to perform for segregated audiences.

1. Summary of the results

The analyses consistently confirm that The Beatles did add an anti-segregation clause to their contract, refusing to perform for segregated audiences. However, there is a significant factual error in the original statement regarding the timing. Multiple sources establish that this occurred in 1965, not 1960 ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

The evidence shows that The Beatles' anti-segregation stance was formalized in their 1965 contract, which specifically stated they would "not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience" ^[2]. This contract later sold at auction for $23,000, demonstrating its historical significance ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement omits crucial context about the timeline and development of The Beatles' civil rights stance:

• The band's anti-segregation position actually began in 1964, when they refused to play a concert in Jacksonville, Florida if the audience was segregated ^{[5] [6]}
• Paul McCartney specifically recalled this 1964 Jacksonville incident, noting that the band subsequently ensured this anti-segregation requirement was included in their contracts ^[6]
• The formal contract clause came after their initial stand, representing an evolution of their civil rights activism rather than an immediate 1960 decision ^[2]

The statement also lacks context about the broader civil rights movement, with sources noting the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and The Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 as significant cultural moments ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The most significant issue is the incorrect date of 1960, which is contradicted by all sources that specify the actual year as 1965 ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}. This five-year discrepancy places the event before The Beatles achieved international fame and before their first major U.S. tour.

The statement presents the action as occurring in isolation without acknowledging that it was part of a broader pattern of civil rights activism that began with specific incidents in 1964 ^{[5] [6]}. This omission could mislead readers about the context and development of The Beatles' civil rights stance.

While the core claim about the anti-segregation clause is accurate, the chronological error significantly undermines the statement's reliability and historical accuracy.