Verne Byers

Verne Byers, aka Vern Byers, ( Vincent LeRoy Beyer, March 14, 1918 in Denver, Colorado – December 19, 2008 in Las Cruces, New Mexico) was an American bandleader of a territory band, a bassist, a concert promoter, and an owner-operator of several live music clubs and restaurants in Denver. Byers is most widely known and remembered as the man who, as executive producer and promoter, brought The Beatles to Denver — their only Denver appearance. The Beatles performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 26, 1964.

Verne Byers & His Orchestra — The Band That Sings and Swings — played compositions of the World War II dance bands, including those of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Tommy Dorsey. The orchestra toured the Midwest and Rocky Mountain area in the 40's and 50's as one of many territory bands, playing in venues such as dance halls, ballrooms, and hotels — mostly in Colorado, New Mexico, Iowa, and Minnesota. The band often played at Elitch Gardens; and once opened for Benny Goodman there. The band had twelve players. During the 1950s, bookings for the orchestra were handled by the Omaha office of National Orchestra Service.

† At Danceland and at the Pagosa Springs Lions Club, the band was billed as: Verne Byers and His CBS Orchestra — The Most Danceable Band in the Land.

Byers also was a concert promoter. He was best known for producing the Beatles concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre August 26, 1964 — a 32-minute affair that stands as the group's only Denver appearance. As head of Lookout Mountain Attractions, Byers said he had never heard of the Beatles before booking them. Byers also booked and promoted concerts by Peter, Paul & Mary, Otis Redding, Count Basie, James Brown, Glen Campbell.

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