'"THE BEATLES ARRIVE AT JFK"

AMERICA WELCOMES THE BEATLES

New York City (JFK+50) On February 7, 1964, the British rock band, The Beatles, arrived at JFK International Airport aboard Pan Am's Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London.  The band had just recently scored their first #1 hit in the United States, "I Want to Hold Your Hand."  

Thirty thousand "screaming fans" greeted George Harrison*, John Lennon**, Paul McCartney*** and Ringo Starr****.

The 'Fab Four' would perform their first American concert at the Coliseum in Washington, D.C. on February 11th and make an appearance on the popular Ed Sullivan television show.  Before their return to the U.K. on February 22nd, they performed at Carnegie Hall.

The Beatles broke up in 1970 after selling millions of singles and record albums world-wide.   Singer-songwriter Paul McCartney went on to have a highly successful post-Beatles career which made him the wealthiest musician in the world with a net worth of $1.2 billion.

*George Harrison (1943-2001) was born in Liverpool, U.K.  He became lead guitarist for the Beatles.  GH's musical career spanned 1958-2000.  He died of cancer at age 58.

**John Winston Ono Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, U.K. & was singer/songwriter for the Beatles.  JWOL's 'Double Fantasy' won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.  He was murdered outside his NY apartment.

***Sir James Paul McCartney was born in 1942 in Liverpool, U.K.  He was singer/song-writer for the Beatles and played bass guitar.  JPM was one of the most prolific & successful songwriters in history.  In 1997, he was knighted by the Queen of England.

****Sir Richard (Ringo) Starkey (Starr) was born in 1940 in Liverpool. He was drummer/singer for the Beatles.  His musical career spanned 1957 to the present.  RS is said to be the wealthiest drummer in the world. 

SOURCE

"The Beatles Arrive in New York, February 7, 1964," This Day In History, www.history.com/

 

 

The Beatles Arrive in New York

Kennedy Airport

February 7 1964

UPI Photo

Library of Congress Image

 

BILL HALEY & THE COMETS

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1850

BILL HALEY AND THE COMETS ARRIVE IN LONDON TO BEGIN EUROPEAN TOUR

London (JFK+50) Bill Haley* and The Comets arrived here in London 59 years ago today, February 5, 1957, to begin the first major American rock-n-roll tour in Europe.  The tour came two years after the band achieved success with their #1 hit, "Rock Around the Clock."**

The band was greeted by thousands of young fans at Waterloo Station.  The tour gave the group's British fans an opportunity to see their first live "rock-n-roll" concert.

Paul McCartney of the Beatles said...."The first time I really ever felt a tingle up my spine was when I saw Bill Haley and the Comets...."   McCartney saved up 24 shillings for a ticket because he "knew there was something going on here." 

Pete Townshend said Bill Haley and the Comets represented "the birth of rock-n-roll for me."  Graham Nash was so taken by seeing the band's performance live in Manchester that he kept his ticket stub.


*William John Clifton Haley (1925-1981) was born in Highland Park, Michigan but grew up in Pennsylvania.  His father played the banjo & mandolin while his English mother played piano. Bill Haley died of a brain tumor at the age of 55.

**"Rock Around the Clock" was written by Max Freedman & Jimmy (De Knight) Myers & was recorded by Decca. 

It has been called "the biggest selling rock-n-roll record of all time" with more than 25 million copies sold. 

Rock Around the Clock

Decca "45"

Photo by John White (2013)

                      

Bill Haley

You Tube Video

BIRTHDAY OF JOHN LENNON

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1738

JOHN LENNON BORN 75 YEARS AGO

Liverpool, U.K. (JFK+50) Three quarters of a century ago today, October 9, 1940, John Lennon* of the British rock group "The Beatles" was born here in Liverpool.  

The "Fab Four" as they came to be called originated in 1957 when then 16 year old John Lennon formed a band called "The Blackjacks."  That name was changed to "The Quarrymen" when it was learned there was another band called "The Blackjacks."

John Lennon joined with Paul McCartney, a 15 year old singer and songwriter, and 14 year old guitarist George Harrison.  Another band member, Stu Sutcliffe, quit to attend art school and the drummer, Pete Best, was replaced by Ringo Starr.

The Beatles, Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starr, became a national and world sensation.  Brian Epstein, a music columnist, became manager of the group which signed with EMI and did their first recording session at Abbey Road Studios on June 6, 1962.

In 1965, Queen Elizabeth II appointed John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr members of the Order of the British Empire.

*John Winston Lennon (1940-1980) was born in Liverpool, the son of a merchant seaman, but grew up living with an aunt & uncle.  JWL attended Quarry Bank High School where he was described as "a hopeless clown."

At Liverpool College of Art, John was dismissed before his final year.  He went on to form the Beatles and the rest is history.  Along with Paul McCartney, JWL is considered one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.

JWL was tragically shot and killed outside his New York City apartment on December 8, 1980.

Paul, George & John

The Beatles

Dutch TV performance

June 5, 1964

Beelden Geluidwiki-Gallery

John Lennon Statue

 The Cavern Pub

Liverpool, U.K.

by George Groutas