Beatles contract sold for $23,000

A contract revealing The Beatles refused to perform in front of segregated audiences in the United States has sold for $23,000.

The $40,000 contract was for a California gig in 1965, and was auctioned for four times its estimated value, BBC reports.

Signed by the legendary Brian Epstein, the band's manager, it said they will "not be required to perform in front of a segregated audience".

The contract also required a special drumming platform for Ringo Starr and a 150-strong police force for protection, BBC reports.

Despite the requirements for security, at the evening performance on August 31, 1965, some of the 17,000-strong crowd broke through security barriers and rushed the stage.

The show was halted, and The Beatles were forced to wait backstage while order was restored.

They eventually finished their 12-song set with Help!, followed by its B-side, I'm Down.

BBC reports:

The Beatles had previously taken a public stand on civil rights in 1964, when they refused to perform at a segregated concert at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.

City officials relented, allowing the stadium to be integrated, and the band took to the stage.

"We never play to segregated audiences and we aren't going to start now," said John Lennon. "I'd sooner lose our appearance money."

The struggle for racial equality in America later inspired Paul McCartney to write Blackbird.