On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport–and “Beatlemania” arrives. It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” At Kennedy, the “Fab Four”–dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts–were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil.
It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
-----------------------------------------------------
To donate via Stripe, click here.
-----------------------------------------------------
Use promo code ILMF2, and save up to 66% on all MyPillow purchases. (The Burning Platform benefits when you use this promo code.)
Two days later, Paul McCartney, age 21, Ringo Starr, 23, John Lennon, 23, and George Harrison, 20, made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, a popular television variety show. Although it was difficult to hear the performance over the screams of teenage girls in the studio audience, an estimated 73 million U.S. television viewers, or about 40 percent of the U.S. population, tuned in to watch. Sullivan immediately booked the Beatles for two more appearances that month. The group made their first public concert appearance in the United States on February 11 at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C., and 20,000 fans attended. The next day, they gave two back-to-back performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and police were forced to close off the streets around the venerable music hall because of fan hysteria. On February 22, the Beatles returned to England.
The Beatles’ first American tour left a major imprint in the nation’s cultural memory. With American youth poised to break away from the culturally rigid landscape of the 1950s, the Beatles, with their exuberant music and good-natured rebellion, were the perfect catalyst for the shift. Their singles and albums sold millions of records, and at one point in April 1964 all five best-selling U.S. singles were Beatles songs. By the time the Beatles first feature-film, A Hard Day’s Night, was released in August, Beatlemania was epidemic the world over. Later that month, the four boys from Liverpool returned to the United States for their second tour and played to sold-out arenas across the country.
Later, the Beatles gave up touring to concentrate on their innovative studio recordings, such as 1967’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band, a psychedelic concept album that is regarded as a masterpiece of popular music. The Beatles’ music remained relevant to youth throughout the great cultural shifts of the 1960s, and critics of all ages acknowledged the songwriting genius of the Lennon-McCartney team. In 1970, the Beatles disbanded, leaving a legacy of 18 albums and 30 Top 10 U.S. singles.
During the next decade, all four Beatles pursued solo careers, with varying success. Lennon, the most outspoken and controversial Beatle, was shot to death by a deranged fan outside his New York apartment building in 1980. McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contribution to British culture. In November 2001, George Harrison succumbed to cancer.
I remember watching it on TV. Their hair was a little long, they wore suits with no collar, and string ties. Man – that was clean cut compared to today.
And it was considered radical at the time, the long hair and all that stuff.
That’s what is wrong with you people . Listening to rock and roll since 1964. Brain damaged motherfuckers .I still blame the Jews. It’s their fault you white people are so messed up.
It’s better than continually ‘wacking off’ since 1964. Did they have to give you an artificial elbow yet?
Ah yes!!! 1964 – the age of the Beatles and 007! My job was to adjust the “rabbit ears” on top of the TV set, so my older sister could watch the Beatles on the “Ed Sullivan show”
Remember when Ed blanked out the bottom half of the screen when he had Elvis sing on the show?
I sorta miss Ed Sullivan, I liked those times better than these.
My favorite band of all time! Favorite is John Lennon, but love the others as well.
So why didn’t we get the update on Ringo in this article? When the band broke up, Lennon said they worried about Ringo’s career the most, not sure if he would make it solo. Well, Ringo’s All-Star Band is a smashing success, and still going strong at over age 70.
I have to admit McCartney becomes more of a disappointment as he ages, with his knighthood, which Lennon would have never accepted, and McCartney’s vegetarianism and following the P.C. line, not to mention “save the seals.” The liberals love him.
Lennon had his stupid moments, like, when with Yoko, looking into Communism, which he rejected. He was always a Capitalist. And when he was bitching about the amount taxes he had to pay, one of his assistants asked Lennon, “What about “Imagine no possessions'” to which Lennon answered, “It’s only a song.” Gotta love it.