Beatlemania: it was 40 years ago today ...

[cosmicdot]

The Beatles landed in New York …





On February 7, 1964, the Beatles, an extremely popular rock group from England, arrived at the JFK Airport in New York. Upon arrival they were bombarded by thousands of swooning teenage girls and their entrance in the U.S. was said to be "Britain's revenge for the Boston Tea Party". The group consisted of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Richard Starkey (more popularly known as Ringo Starr).

These four men in their early twenties were from Liverpool, and three of them had been playing together since 1958 in a band which was originally called "The Silver Beetles". They had been working with their producer, George Martin, since 1962. The Beatles came to America after several successful years in the U.K. They made 17 million dollars in 1963 alone. By the time they came to the U.S. the Beatles had already produced three albums, the first two being "Please Please Me" and "With the Beatles". Their third album, "Meet the Beatles!" had been released that January and would subsequently be the number one album on Billboard's chart in America for eleven weeks. The Beatlemania of 1964 was ironic. They had released four records in America the previous year, and they were all flops. However, their unpopularity in America was short-lived. The Beatlemania which had swept Europe swept the United States, and they quickly became the first British band to make it big in the U.S.

Two days after their arrival in New York the Beatles performed for the first time on "The Ed Sullivan Show", which was watched by a record-setting 73 million viewers. On the show they performed five songs: "All My Loving", "Till There Was You", "She Loves You", "I Saw Her Standing There", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". They appeared on the show two more times that month, on February 16 and February 23; they would do so once again the following year.



On February 11, the Beatles gave their first live performance in the U.S. It was in Washington D.C. at the Washington Coliseum, and over 8,000 people attended. When asked about his impression of the American public after the Washington concert, Lennon replied, "They are the wildest, you know. Tonight was marvelous! Ridiculous! Eight thousand people all shouting at once. We were trying to shout louder than them with the microphones and we still couldn't beat 'em. We thought it would be much quieter. We thought we'd, you know, have to grow on everybody...but everybody seems to know us already as if we'd been here for years. It's great!". They day after that, they performed yet again at Carnegie Hall in New York City, before an audience of over 6,000 people.

The next month the Beatles went on to film their first movie, "A Hard Day's Night", which was released that summer and was a huge hit in both England and the U.S. Their musical innovation and techniques brought unprecedented sophistication to rock music and they are still popular and well known today.

http://www.gfsnet.org/msweb/sixties/beatlesfeb64.htm



Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

[BeatleBoot]

1. Cool Boots!!

:7

[cosmicdot]

10. beatle boots, BeatleBoot

http://www.beatleboots.co.uk/

[H2O Man]

2. I was five...

...and I still remember my mother having me watch those boys with the funny hair-cuts on Ed Celluloid Show. Still the best darned music ever made!

[Norbert]

3. Thanks for the post.

I never tire from reading about the Beatles. I bought my first Beatle record in mid-January of 1964. The F. W. Woolworth near me just put the I Wanna Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There 45 in the picture sleeve on the rack. I purchased it without ever having listened to it before. Talk about a leap of faith. I may have had the first Beatle record in my side of town but certainly I was the first in my neighborhood with one. I still have that very single and will probably carry it to my grave.

It was such a very magical time and was glad to be a small part of it. I laugh at Brittneymania and Enimenmania. No disrespect for either but their fans just never witnessed Beatlemania. Huge is quite the understatement.

I think my A Hard Days Night DVD may just get another watch tonight.

[ClintonTyree]

4. I remember it well..............

I was 13 at the time, and the music in the States just didn't do it for me (at least the stuff they played on the radio).
My sister and I parked ourselves in front of the old black and white and watched them on the Ed Sullivan show and our lives were forever changed after that.
Many of today's young people can't understand the attraction, why a 'lame' musical group like the Beatles caused such a stir. I guess you had to be there.
My favorite was John (I was the cerebral type at an early age), my sister's was Paul (she was superficial) my sister's friend's was George and my cousin's was Ringo. We'd lounge about playing broom handles and beating on pots and pans recreating the Fab 4 in our living room.
In the summer of 1964 my Aunt (who is Canadian) took us all to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto to see them. It was the most fantastic thing I'd ever seen. Nothing but screaming (you couldn't hear the music) and flashbulbs going off. I was deaf for hours afterwords.
I still have my ticket stub from that concert, framed and on the wall.
Those were good days, days when all you had to worry about were scraping up enough money (usually by picking up soda bottles along the road) to buy another package of Beatle cards.
Those were the days when my innocence was still intact and life was excruciatingly simple.

[cosmicdot]

7. "my Aunt ...took us all to Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto to see them"

OMG

I graduated from HS with someone who won a local radio station drawing for tickets to see them. Funny thing is that I didn't learn about that special honor until much later in life. My friend passed away a couple of years ago.

I was in the 8th grade when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. I think Ed Sullivan was just as excited as anyone.

Despite liking the Beatles a lot, they didn't really capture me totally until I got to college ... perhaps it was that fateful letter I received from another HS classmate who wrote me with the 'conjecture' (the word he used) that "Paul was dead", and their music had 'clues'. I was first to spread that 'conjecture' on my campus. That friend, too, has passed on.

I, also, consider it fateful that the Beatles arrived only months after we mourned the death of a beloved President.

[MaineDem]

5. Close your eyes and I'll kiss you...

Man, just thinking about the beginning of that song gives me goosebumps! :D

I was 12. I remember the Sullivan show like it was yesterday. I remember calling my girlfriend when it was over 'cause we just HAD to scream about it together. No 3-way calling then; no internet chat rooms. It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to us in our short lives.

And then we got to do it all over again the next week!!!

I remember Murray the K and trying desperately to get the NY station on my tiny transistor AM radio. Cousin Brucie, too.

Wow...it was a great time!

[buckeye1]

6. 73 million viewers.

Half of the population was watching Ed Sullivan that night. Its a record that no Superbowl has ever beaten and only the last MASH show had more.(many more viewers then in the country). It was a really BIG DEAL!
I grew up with them. The went from pop wankers to really innovative musicians and social critics. They also led the "British Invasion" that brought us more great music.
It was a sweet time. The corps. didn't own them and they had to keep looking for rivals,so we got the Stones,Yardbirds,Eric Burton, The Who and many others.
Then we got lots of Beatle inspired American bands. The Dead ,Hendriks,etc. There was a new interest in root music,blues,blue grass,Indian,etc.
The Beatles were like a meteor hitting the Atlantic Ocean and the waves just rippled on and on to many shores.

[blondeatlast]

8. I was 5 years old, and hooked for life after the "Sullivan" show. nt

[cosmicdot]

9. Beatle Timeline

Timeline

June 18, 1942-James Paul McCartney is born in Woolton Hospital in Liverpool, England.

1953-Paul meets George Harrison on a hour-long bus ride to school. They both are interested in music, especially Rock 'n' Roll, and they
soon become friends.

June 18, 1956-Paul receives a trumpet for his birthday, which he later trades for his first guitar.

October 31, 1956-At age 14, Paul's mother dies of Breast cancer. This is when Paul really begins to blossom musically.

July 6, 1957-Paul meets John Lennon at a garden fete in Woolton. He plays "Twenty Flight Rock" to John and also shows that he knows real chords as well as how to tune a guitar. He is later invited to join John's band, the Quarry Men.

February 6, 1958-George Harrison is invited to join the Quarry Men.
1959-The Quarry Men begin playing gigs at Pete Best's mother's coffee club called the Casbah.

1960-Renamed the Silver Beatles, they go on their first tour with Johnny Gentle through Scotland. In the same year: Pete Best is invited to be the Silver Beatles drummer. Also in 1960: The Beatles go to Hamburg. They are late deported when George is found to be under age (17). The Beatles go back to Liverpool.

1961-Beatles play in the cavern for the first time. In the same year: Brian Epstein becomes the Beatles manager.

1962-Beatles fail audition for Decca records, but they are offered a recording contract from Parlophone and George Martin becomes recording manager.

August 16, 1962-Pete Best is dumped for Richard Starkey, a.k.a Ringo Starr.

October 5, 1962-Song "Love Me Do" is first released.

1963-"Please Please Me" becomes a hit in England.

February 1,1964-"I Want to Hold Your Hand" becomes the first Beatles #1 in America.

February 7, 1964-Beatles arrive in America.

February 9, 1964-Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan Show: 73,000,000 viewers.

June 16, 1964-"A Hard Days Night" album is released.

!965-Beatles awarded MBEs (member of the British empire) by the Queen of England.

August 13, 1965-"Help!" Album is released.

December 6, 1965-"Rubber Soul" released.

1966-John makes a statement about the Beatles and religion (We're More Popular than Jesus, which is then taken out of context and stated as We're bigger than Jesus by the press). There is a very negative response from the Bible Belt in the U.S.A. Numerous Beatle Burnings
take place.

August 8, 1966-"Revolver" released.

1967-"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album released. In the same year" Brain Epstein dies of a drug (sleeping pills) overdose. Also: Paul meets Linda at the Bag 'O Nails, then again at the launch for "Sgt. Pepper."

1968-Beatles go to a two-month transcendental meditation course with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Paul stays for 1 month, Ringo for 2 weeks, and John and George stay the longest.

November 25, 1968-"The Beatles" (White Album) is released.

March 12, 1969- Paul and Linda marry at the Marylebone Registry Office.

October 1, 1969-"Abbey Road" released.

May 18, 1970-"Let it Be" album is released.

1970- Paul files Law Suit to Dissolve the Beatles for good .

March 12, 1971- The Judge rules in favor of Paul; Paul wins case to dissolve the Beatles.

November 8, 1971- Paul holds a dance party for the launch of Wings.

December 7, 1971- First Wings album released, Wild Life.

February 9, 1972-Wings began their tour of Britain, where they play unannounced at universities.

May 12, 1972- Wings releases their first single "Mary had a Little Lamb'/Little Woman Love" in the UK.

May 29, 1972-Wings releases the "Mary Had A Little Lamb"/"Little Woman Love" in the US.

July 9, 1972-Wings begins a European Tour with a concert at Chateavallon in France.

August 10, 1972-Paul and Linda are charged with drug possession.

September 20, 1972-Scottish police find cannabis plants at Paul and Linda's Scottish farm.

December 1, 1972-The single "Hi Hi Hi/C Moon" released.

December 4, 1972-The single "Hi Hi Hi/C Moon" released in the US.

March 9, 1973-Paul is fined for growing five cannabis plants.

March 23, 1973-Single "My Love"/The Mess" is released in the UK.

April 9, 1973-Single "My Love"/The Mess" is released in the US.

January 16, 1980-Paul is arrested in 1980 for possession of cannabis at a Tokyo airport. The McCartney's had just arrived for a tour of
Japan.

October 25, 1984-World Premiere of Give My Regards To Broadstreet.

March 11, 1997- Paul receives his Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Paul's children Mary, Stella, and James attend.

April 17, 1998-Linda McCartney dies of Breast Cancer.

March 15, 1999-Paul is inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. He had already been inducted as a Beatle previously.

December 14, 1999-Paul plays at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.

November 29th, 2001- George Harrison dies at age 58 of cancer.

June 11th, 2002- Paul marries Heather Mills.

http://www.angelfire.com/music3/paulmccartney/timeline.html

[Maccagirl]

16. You are good!

BTW, seeing all those dates reminded me of something astrology-wise. Three of the most important people in Paul's life were born under the same sign-Libra. His mother Mary (Sept 29,1909), John (Oct. 9, 1940) and Linda (Sept. 24, 1941). I seem to remember John saying once that he and Paul were meant to be partners because each was born under a "dual" sign ("twin" and "scales"). Just a coincidence-but interesting nonetheless.

[cosmicdot]

11. capture a second of the excitement

http://www.beatles.com/firstus/main.html <---click

[cosmicdot]

12. add to this 40th anniversary scrapbook thread

a favorite LP cover
song
lyric
photo
thought

I know it's been played before, but not on a day like today


A little help from my friends

What would you think if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And I’ll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Going to try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(are you sad because you’re on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight,
Yes I’m certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light,
I can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Do you need anybody,
I just need someone to love,
Could it be anybody,
I want somebody to love.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.

[UrbScotty]

13. Amazing!

And any time you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.

[WillyT]

14. 40 Years !!! --- I Can't Be That Old, No Way Man !!!

Seems like it was... 'Yesterday'













No friggin WAY, that was 40 years ago, LOL!!!

Beatles Rule, Baby!!! Now and Forever!!!

:smoke::hippie::smoke:

[Maccagirl]

15. I picked up the Rolling Stone with them on the cover

and the article and pics brought back lovely memories. Ironically, on the next page there's a piece by Robert Dreyfuss called "Reverend Doomsday" about Rev. Tim LaHaye and the power he wields in the Bush White House (really going back to RR). The juxtapostion of these two articles (one about the happiness and even innocence of Beatlemania and the other about a man who views everything he's against as evil and threatening) was jarring.

[cosmicdot]

17. Well, she was just 17 ...

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 !



Well, she was just 17,

You know what I mean,

And the way she looked was way beyond compare.

So how could I dance with another (ooh)

When I saw her standin' there.



Well she looked at me, and I, I could see

That before too long I'd fall in love with her.

She wouldn't dance with another (whooh)

When I saw her standin' there.



Chorus:

Well, my heart went "boom,"

When I crossed that room,

And I held her hand in mine...



Whoah, we danced through the night,

And we held each other tight,

And before too long I fell in love with her.

Now I'll never dance with another (whooh)

Since I saw her standing there

[WillyT]

18. Yeah... It Won't Be Long...

til I get back to DU!

Gotta go play doorman at the neighborhood pub now.

LOL!!!

:hi:

[Don_G]

19. I Got Interested In The Beatles A Little Later

My parents were vacationing in NYC and I met a girl in the hotel lobby that wanted to go to Shea Stadium that evening.

Well, I got back late and paid for it months afterwards (why would a 13 year-old Ohio Wanker wander the Big Apple) unless you attended The Beatles Concert in Shea Stadium and got laid for the first time in your life?

It was well worth it....

[Kool Kitty]

20. "Oh, yeah, I'll tell you something

I think you'll understand..." My favorite Beatles song, nah-my favorite SONG, ever. I still get goosebumps when I hear the opening chords. Watching all the stuff on TV about them makes me feel like I did when I first saw them, at age 11. I can't stop grinning. Yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!!:7

[cosmicdot]

21. Beatlemania: it was 40 years ago ... Yesterday ...

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away

Now it looks as though they're here to stay

Oh, I believe in yesterday.



Suddenly, I'm not half the man I used to be,

There's a shadow hanging over me.

Oh, I yesterday came suddenly.



Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.

I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.



Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.

Now I need a place to hide away.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.



Why she had to go I don't know she wouldn't say.

I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday.



Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play.

Now I need a place to hide away.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm.

[Burma Jones]

22. The right guys, the right music, the right place, the right time

Who knows whenm this kinda thing will happen again?