Historical Context
In February 1964 the Beatles' popularity in the United States was reaching fever pitch as they prepared to make their live American television debut on the Ed Sullivan show.
Beatlemania had already gripped the UK in the previous year. When the Fab Four arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport (newly renamed after his assassination eleven weeks earlier) they were greeted by a roaring crowd of around 4,000 fans and 200 journalists. Paul McCartney later recalled being in the car on the way to the hotel and listening on the radio to a news program narrating their car journey.
On 9 February the Beatles performed for the first time on Ed Sullivan. Around 73 million viewers watched their performance which, at the time, was the most-watched program in American television history. From there the Beatles domination of the music market began - and the rest is history.
Photo Info
Photographer: CBS Television
Date taken: February 9, 1964
Location taken: NYC, New York, USA
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Related Events
- 1963-10-31 Ed Sullivan witnesses Beatles & their fans at London Airport
- 1963-11-11 Brian Epstein & Ed Sullivan sign a 3 show contract for The Beatles
- 1964-02-09 1st appearance of the Beatles on the "Ed Sullivan Show" draws 73.7 million viewers
- 1964-02-16 The Beatles' 2nd appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
- 1964-05-24 Beatles' 3rd appearance on Ed Sullivan Show
- 1965-08-14 Beatles tape an appearance for Ed Sullivan Show
Ed Sullivan
George Harrison
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr
