"I REMEMBER HOW EXOTIC THEY LOOKED"

THE BEATLES PERFORM ON THE ED SULLIVAN TV SHOW

New York City (JFK+50) On February 9, 1964, the British rock band, "The Beatles*," made their first appearance on American television performing five of their hit songs on CBS's "The Ed Sullivan Show"**.

The Manhattan studio audience of 728 was composed primarily of 'out of control' screaming teenage girls.  73 million viewers watched the Beatles' performance on television including Kay Elliott of Knoxville, Tennessee who said...

"I remember how long their hair was and how exotic I thought they looked."

Jack Stiles of Knoxville's Raven Records & Rarities said...

"It was the most defining pop-culture moment in our lifetime."

*The Beatles, English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The 'Fab Four' included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr.  The B's are regarded as the most influential band of all time.

**The Ed Sullivan Show was televised by CBS on Sunday nights 8-9 pm Eastern time from June 20, 1948 to March 28, 1971. ES, a NY newspaper man, introduced acts which included musicians, singers, comedians, circus performers & more.  

ESS ran 24 seasons with 1,068 episodes & was telecast in color beginning in 1965.  In addition to the Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, & The Rolling Stones made appearances on the show.

SOURCE

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

Ed Sullivan with The Beatles

New York City

February 1964

CBS Television

"THE MOST JOYOUS 3 MINUTES IN HISTORY"

THE BEATLES HIT #1 ON U.S. CHARTS

London, U.K. (JFK+50) On January 25, 1964, "I Want to Hold Your Hand*," recorded by the British rock group "The Beatles**," climbed to the Number One position on the charts.  It would hold at #1 for seven weeks when it was replaced by another Beatles hit "She Loves You."

"I Want to Hold Your Hand," written by 'Fab Four' members John Lennon and Paul McCartney, had been recorded at EMI Studios on Abbey Road here in London on 17 October 1963.  It was the first recording made using four track machines.

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" was influenced by Beatles manager Brian Epstein who wanted a song which would appeal to listeners in the United States.

Lennon and McCartney wrote the tune "eyeball to eyeball" in the basement of Paul's girlfriend's home in London.  They sing the lyrics in harmony.

"Yeah, you got that somethin'

I think you'll understand

When I say that something

I want to hold your hand." 

Ian MacDonald wrote in "Revolution in the Head" that "I Want to Hold Your Hand"...."electrified American pop" while Rob Sheffield wrote in the Rolling Stone Album Guide (2004)..."they never topped this song because nobody else has either...its the most joyous three minutes in the history of human noise." 

*"I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in the U.K. one week after JFK's assassination and in the U.S. about a month later.  Produced by George Martin, the tune is 2 minutes 24 seconds in length.

**"The Beatles" were formed in Liverpool in 1960 & remained active as a group until 1970.  The rock group included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr.  They were a key part of the 1960s counterculture & became the best selling music act of all time.

 

 

 

 

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

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

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)

BEATLES PLAY CAVERN CLUB FOR FIRST TIME

February 9, 2013

BEATLES PLAY CAVERN CLUB FOR FIRST TIME

London (JFK+50) The Beatles played Liverpool's Cavern Club* for the 1st time 52 years ago today, February 9, 1961.

The Beatles, which would go on to record more #1 albums & singles than any other band, played clubs in Liverpool & Hamburg in 1960, 1961 & 1962.

*The Cavern Club opened on January 16, 1957 in a location used as an air raid shelter in WWII.

The Cavern began as a jazz club but soon became a hangout for skiffle groups & would not allow rock n roll.  (Skiffle is a mixture of jazz, blues, folk & roots music using homemade instruments such as washboards, jugs & saws).

The Beatles final performance at the Cavern Club was on August 3, 1963.

               The Beatles at the Cavern Club

The origin of the Beatles goes back to 1957 when 16 year old John Lennon formed a band called "the Blackjacks," but when it was discovered there was another band that had that name, it became "the Quarrymen."

Lennon added Paul McCartney, who was 15 years old at the time, as well as 14 year old George Harrison.  These 3 would remain with the band until its breakup.  

Another band member, Stu Sutcliffe, who was the one who suggested the name Beatles, left for art school & the 1st regular drummer, Pete Best, was replaced by Ringo Starr.

                   Paul, George & John
                           The Beatles
                Dutch TV performance
                          June 5, 1964
           Beelden Geluidwiki-Gallery

Brian Epstein, a music columnist, became manager of the group which signed with EMI & did their 1st recording session at Abbey Road Studios on June 6, 1962.

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

                         John Lennon Statue
                             The Cavern Pub
                              Liverpool, U.K.
                          by George Groutas