"THE COMMUNISTS WAS IN THE AIR & ON THE GROUND"

BOB DYLAN WALKS OUT ON ED SULLIVAN

New York City (JFK+50) On May 12, 1961, singer Bob Dylan* "walked out" on the set of the Ed Sullivan variety television show here in New York.

Mr. Dylan was informed that his song, "Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues," could not be performed on the show.

 The lyrics include these lines...

"I was feeling kinda a little down, blue

I didn't know what I was going to do.

The communists was-a-comin' around,

They was in the air, They was on the ground." 

When he was given the word that this song could not be performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, Bob Dylan said...

"If I can't play my song, I'd rather not appear on the show."

The song in question is a satirical comment on the John Birch Society.** 

 

*Robert (Bob) Dylan was born in Duluth, Minnesota in 1941 & became one of the greatest songwriters of all time.  His "Blowin In The Wind" (1963) & "The Times They Are A Changin"  (1964) were anthems of the Civil Rights & Anti-War movements.  In 2016, BD was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.

**John Birch Society was founded by Robert W. Welch, Jr. in 1958.  It was named in honor of Captain John Birch, US Army Air Corps, the 1st casualty of the Cold War.  JBS is a political advocacy group opposed to communism & supportive of limited government.  It has been described as supporting extreme anti-government doctrines. 

 

 

 

Bob Dylan Performs

"Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues"

1963

You Tube Video

 

THEY CONQUERED AMERICA WITHOUT PLAYING A NOTE

THE BEATLES ARRIVE STATESIDE

New York City (JFK+50) On February 7, 1964, the British rock band "THE BEATLES" arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport here in New York.  George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were welcomed by up to 5000 fans and an "awe-struck" American press.

After stepping off Pam Am Flight #101, the four young men held a press conference in which the press seemed more enamored by their hairstyles, wit and charm than their music.

Another crowd of fans awaited them at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan where they freshened up before going to a studio rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan Television Show.  George Harrison, however, brought a cold with him from England and could not attend.

Dave Lifton of Ultimate Classic Rock writes...

"After watching the footage of themselves on the evening news, they went to the theater where the Ed Sullivan Show took place for rehearsal (but) without even having played a note, the Beatles had conquered America."

SOURCE

"How the Beatles Conquered America--Without Playing a Single Note," by Dave Lifton, www.ultimateclassicrock.com/

The Beatles Arrive at JFK

February 7, 1964

THE BEATLES CONQUER AMERICA

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1852

THE BEATLES ARRIVED AT JFK 52 YEARS AGO 

New York City (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, February 7, 1964, the British rock band "THE BEATLES" arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport here in the Big Apple.

The "Fab Four," including George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, were welcomed by an estimated 3000 to 5000 fans as well as an awe-struck American press.

After stepping off Pam Am Flight #101, the four young men held a press conference in which the press seemed more enamored by their hairstyles, wit and charm than their music.

There was another crowd of fans awaiting them at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan where they freshened up before going to a studio rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan Television Show.  George Harrison, however, brought a cold with him from England and could not attend.

Dave Lifton of Ultimate Classic Rock writes...

"After watching the footage of themselves on the evening news, they went to the theater where the Ed Sullivan Show took place for rehearsal (but) without even having played a note, the Beatles had conquered America."

On February 9, 1964, the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.  They performed five of their hit tunes before a studio audience composed of mostly teenage girls who were described as "out of control."  

The tunes performed were...

  "All my lovin'"
 "Til there was you"
 "She loves you"
 "I saw her standing there"
 "I wanna hold your hand."

Seventy-three million not so out of control viewers tuned in to watch the show on their "tellys."

Kay Elliott said...

"I remember how long their hair was and how exotic I thought they looked.  The girls were screaming so loud it was hard to hear the music."

SOURCES

"How the Beatles Conquered America--Without Playing a Single Note," by Dave Lifton, www.ultimateclassicrock.com/

"It was 50 years ago today:  With Beatles' American debut, East Tennesseans' world changed," by Mike Blackerby, Knoxville News Sentinel, February 9, 2014.

The Beatles Arrive at JFK

February 7, 1964

The Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show

February 9, 1964

You Tube Video