THERE WAS A TRADITIONAL WELCOME FOR THESE BEATLES AND THEIR STAND-IN DRUMMER WHEN THEY FLEW INTO SCHIPOL AIRPORT, AMSTERDAM, FROM COPENHAGEN TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT TO HOLLAND DURING WHICH THEY WILL PLAY TWO SHOWS.

FANS HAD BEEN BANNED FROM THE AIRPORT TARMAC BUT THOUSANDS SHOUTED AND WAVED FROM THE PROMENADE AS THE FOUR LEFT THE CARAVELLE PLANE AND WERE GREETED WITH BOUQUETS FROM FOUR DUTCH GIRLS DRESSED IN LOCAL COSTUMES. AS THE BEATLES -- JOHN. PAUL, GEORGE, AND STAND-IN DRUMMER JIMMY NICOL -- MADE THEIR WAY TO THE AIRPORT'S PRESS CONFERENCE A SCUFFLE DEVELOPED BETWEEN PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ONE MAN WAS REPORTED INJURED.

MORE FANS WERE WAITING FOR THE BEATLES WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE DOELEN HOTEL WHERE THEY'RE STAYING
FANS AND POLICE WAITED FOR THE MOP-HAIRED POP GROUP TO LEAVE FOR AND ENGAGEMENT AND POLICE HAD TO CLEAR A WAY FOR THEM TO GET THROUGH THE CROWD.

RINGO STARR, THE BEATLES 23-YEAR-OLD DRUMMER, IS REPORTED TO BE PROGRESSING WELL AT THE LONDON HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS TAKEN AFTER COLLAPSING. HE IS SUFFERING FROM ACUTE TONSILITIS AND PHARYNGITIS BUT SHOULD BE FIT ENOUGH TO JOIN THE GROUP FOR THEIR AUSTRALIAN TOUR NEXT WEEK.