THE BEATLES PERFORM AT SHEA

THE BEATLES PERFORMED AT SHEA STADIUM 50 YEARS AGO 

New York City (JFK+50) A half-century ago this evening, August 15, 1965, the British rock group, "The Beatles", performed at Shea Stadium here in New York City before 55,600 fans.

The "Fab Four," promoted by Sid Bernstein, were introduced by television host Ed Sullivan who said to the crowd...

"Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, honored by their country, decorated by their Queen and loved here in America, here are the Beatles."

According to NBC News, the Shea performance was before the "largest concert crowd in history at that time..." while Rolling Stone describes it as the most "famous gig in rock and roll history."

The Beatles stood on a "rickety stage" set up just behind second base in the Mets' infield.  Like most of their concerts, the band was difficult to hear because of the screaming fans.

Ringo Starr, the band's drummer, recalled later that "we were so far from the audience."

The New York Daily News described it this way...

"Our Mets have displayed their antic behavior before some good crowds...but last night's turnaway mob of shrieking teenagers tested the solidity of the ball park as they flocked to see Britain's moptop quartet in concert.  Scores were injured in the crush or overcome by the humid heat..."

The group performed the following tunes in the order listed...

Twist and Shout
She's A Woman
I Feel Fine
Dizzy Miss Lizzy
Ticket to Ride
Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby
Can't Buy Me Love
Baby's In Black
Acting Naturally
A Hard Day's Night
Help
I'm Down

SOURCES

"50 Years Ago Today:  Hysteria as Beatles Play Shea Stadium," NBC News, August 14, 2015, www.nbcnews.com/

"Why the Beatles' Shea Stadium Show Was Even Greater Than You Know," by Colin Fleming, Rolling Stone, August 14, 2015, www.rollingstone.com/

The Beatles Perform at Shea Stadium

BEATLES ON ED SULLIVAN SHOW

BEATLES ON ED SULLIVAN SHOW 50 YEARS AGO TODAY

New York City (JFK+50) Fifty years ago this evening, February 9, 1964, the Beatles made their first appearance on American television here in New York.  

The British rock group, which came to be known as the "Fab Four," performed five of their hit songs on the world famous Ed Sullivan Show.

The Manhattan studio audience of 728 was composed of mostly "out of control," screaming teenage girls.

73 million Americans tuned in to see the Beatles perform including Knoxvillian Kay Elliott who is quoted in today's News Sentinel as saying...

"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."

Jack Stiles, one of the owners of Raven Records and Rarities in Knoxville, Tennessee, was also quoted saying...

"I think it was the most defining pop-culture moment in our lifetime."

University of Tennessee lecturer Sean McCollough, who teaches a class on the history of rock 'n' roll, added...

"When you look at the Beatles from a historical standpoint, they really did transform what we think rock is."

Following is a list of the 5 tunes performed by the Beatles 50 years ago tonight:

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

SOURCE

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

Ed Sullivan with the Beatles

Ringo, George, John & Paul

The Beatles on Ed Sullivan Show

February 9, 1964

You Tube Video

FIRST US COMBAT TROOPS ARRIVE IN SOUTH VIETNAM

Saigon, South Vietnam (JFK+50) Forty-nine years ago today, February 9, 1965, the first American combat troops arrived here in South Vietnam.

Previously, American military forces stationed in Southeast Asia were there on an advisory capacity to the South Vietnamese Army. 

President Lyndon B. Johnson gave the order to send in combat troops to better assist the South Vietnamese in their struggle against the North Vietnamese communists.

Communist China and the Soviet Union threatened to intervene in the war while in Moscow 2000 demonstrators attacked the American Embassy.

Great Britain and Australia supported the US decision to send combat troops while France called for negotiations.

American GI in Vietnam

JOHN QUNICY ADAMS CHOICE OF HOUSE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 189 years ago today, February 9, 1825, the presidential election of 1824 was decided by the House of Representatives.  

A majority of the votes went to John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts who would be sworn in as the 6th President of the United States on March 4, 1825.

Mr. Adams, former Secretary of State under James Monroe, had received the second highest number of electoral votes in the fall election with Andrew Jackson receiving the highest. 

Because no candidate received a majority of the votes of the four candidates,  the Constitution gives the responsibility to select the winner to the House of Representatives.

Henry Clay, one of the original candidates, gave his support to Adams and would become Secretary of State in the Adams administration.  Jackson's Tennessee supporters said that a "corrupt bargain" had cheated their candidate out of his deserved victory. 

John Quincy Adams

6th United States President

(1825-1829)