Thursday Thirteen #21 ~ The Beatles USA Debut 1964

February 13, 2008 by Ellen

1. In late 1963, Sullivan found himself among a throng of 15,000 excited kids at Heathrow Airport in London who were there to see a young British recording group, the Beatles. Sullivan was intrigued. In December, 1963, Beatles manager Brian Epstein arranged for the group, still relatively unknown in the United States, to appear three times on the show at $4000 per appearance. Epstein was then able to convince Capitol Records to mount a publicity campaign for the Beatles arrival, and to release “I Want to Hold Your Hand.”

2. NEW YORK (AP) — February 9, 1964. A British band from Liverpool takes “The Ed Sullivan Show” stage and sends waves of teen-agers into screaming convulsions across America, bewildering millions of parents.

3. When The Beatles made their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, it was and remains the most important event in the history of rock music.

4. An estimated 73 million people were watching that night in ‘64 — about three times the audience of an episode of this summer’s TV blockbuster “Survivor.” John Lennon was so nervous he taped song lyrics to the back of his guitar.

5. The Beatles’ U.S. debut even topped the 1968 comeback of the King.

6. Although The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show nine times, they actually only set foot on his stage at the Ed Sullivan Theatre that one time on February 9, 1964. Each time after, it was either telecast live from another location or on video tape.

7. Did you know that the crime rate in US cities dropped dramatically during the show’s broadcast time?

BEATLES FACT

Songs played on the February 9, 1964, ”Ed Sullivan Show”:• “All My Loving”
• “Till There Was You”
• “She Loves You”
• “I Saw Her Standing There”
• “I Want to Hold Your Hand”

BEATLES FACT

“The Ed Sullivan Show” received more than 50,000 requests for its 728 seats — more than it had gotten for Elvis Presley’s 1956 appearance

10.

BEATLES FACT

On April 4, 1964, the Beatles had the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart — an achievement never equaled.

11. The Beatles had two more appearances on the Sullivan Show via music “videos.” The next came on February 12, 1967 with Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever, and the final performance was on February 15, 1970.

12. The Ed Sullivan Show is an American television variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, 1971, and was hosted by former entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It ran on CBS every Sunday night at 8pm, and is one of the few shows to have been run in the same time slot, weekly on the same day of the week, and on the same network, for more than two decades.

And #13 ~ ellen b of the Happy Wonderer was glued to her TV screen way back in 1964 a little over a month before her 13th birthday totally in “love” with the Beatles! She’s still a fan of much of their music!

For more Thursday Thirteen click here.

Posted in American Idol, Beatles, Blog Carnival, Blogs, History, Songs, Thursday Thirteen | 32 Comments

32 Responses to “Thursday Thirteen #21 ~ The Beatles USA Debut 1964”

on February 13, 2008 at 3:15 pm1 chuck

So, you a Beatles fan? Happy TT/V-day! *big hearts*
on February 13, 2008 at 3:29 pm2 Nicholas

There’s never been anyone who even came close to them.
on February 13, 2008 at 4:12 pm3 Comedy Plus

I was there with you. I was born in 1951. How cool is that. I so loved the Beatles. I still listen to their music to this day. Excellent walk down memory lane. Have a great TT and Valentine’s Day.
on February 13, 2008 at 4:36 pm4 Adelle Laudan

I don’t think there is a person on this planet who hasn’t heard of at least one Beatle’s song. Even my kids lol Happy Valentine’s Day!
on February 13, 2008 at 4:42 pm5 Malcolm

I can only imagine what it must have been like to have seen the Beatles debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. I had forgotten the story about John taping the lyrics to his guitar because he was nervous. In retrospect, he probably didn’t need to bother because the screams were so loud no one would have known the difference.
on February 13, 2008 at 5:14 pm6 Mama Kelly

We are all … from the 8-yo on up all Beatle’s fans in our house

Happy TH13
on February 13, 2008 at 5:24 pm7 SandyCarlson

What excitement, Ellen. That must have been something in those days before technology bombarded us with 20 versions of everything all at once.
on February 13, 2008 at 6:25 pm8 Susan Helene Gottfri

It’s too bad there will never be a band like the Beatles, or a period of time as wonderful. I am young enough to be jealous that you got to be part of it.

Happy TT!
on February 13, 2008 at 6:26 pm9 The Gal Herself

Oh, I loved reading this! I literally fell in love with Paul McCartney when he sang, “Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you/tomorrow I’ll miss you/remember I’ll always be true …” and he’s been in my heart ever since. The chemistry between John and Paul has never been duplicated. Thanks for putting this together! (And thanks for visiting my TT)
on February 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm10 susiej

I love the beattles, this was a great tribute.
on February 13, 2008 at 6:49 pm11 Journeywoman

Look at my blog…I’m a TOTAL Beatles nut.

Happy TT!
on February 13, 2008 at 7:01 pm12 pjazzypar

I saw the debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” 44 years ago last Saturday. I was in grade school and I couldn’t understand what all the screaming and crying was about. Wonderful tribute to the “Fab Four”.
on February 13, 2008 at 7:28 pm13 SJ Reidhead

Do yo want me to admit I saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? We were at the Fedder’s house for dinner. My sister, Karen and I went into the bedroom to watch it. I seem to remember The Wizard of Oz came on afterward.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
on February 13, 2008 at 8:37 pm14 Amy the Black

I also love the Beatles. They made rock-n-roll into a serious art form, and did a great job. I recently heard an interview where they said they’d refuse to play live if the noise level was so loud that they couldn’t hear themselves play. I thought that was great because it means they took their music seriously, and weren’t in it just for the money.
on February 13, 2008 at 9:11 pm15 willow

We All Live In a Yellow Submarine, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, don’t forget those songs.

I was in 8th grade and I remember one of my classmates, Sandy, asking me if I loved the Beatles too, and I didn’t know what she was talking about. I learned fast!
on February 13, 2008 at 9:16 pm16 Angela at mommy bytes

Sadly I’m too young enough to have seen it live, but love watching the videos of the show and especially love the Hard Day’s Night Movie from that year.
on February 13, 2008 at 9:16 pm17 Gattina

When I think I was twenty and missed all this besides of course listening to the songs, but I fell in love all the time and was too busy with boyfriends that I had no time to read newspapers or watching TV shows, lol ! But I bought the records and danced on the songs of course.
on February 13, 2008 at 9:53 pm18 Lara

I was a George girl from day one…still am — and I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t hear one of their songs playing in my head. This brought back wonderful, sweet memories — there will never be another group like them again!
Happy TT!
on February 14, 2008 at 1:31 am19 Tink

I like the Beatles, they are big in music history!
Thanks for visiting my poem TT.
on February 14, 2008 at 5:46 am20 storyteller

Thanks for the walk down memory lane :–
Hugs and blessings,
on February 14, 2008 at 9:00 am21 Darla

Oh, how very cool. Nice post!
on February 14, 2008 at 9:14 am22 Dane Bramage

I was only 5 years old and not into anything but R&B since that’s what the folks listened to. Still these are great facts and a well done post.

My 67th Thursday Thirteen edition 13 Romantic Tips (from a single man’s perspective) is up. Stop by if you get a chance.
on February 14, 2008 at 9:40 am23 OneLuvGurl

I love The Beatles!

My TT is 13 love songs that you can listen to in the post. Happy TT & Valentine’s!

http://blog.mysocalledsite.com/?p=220
on February 14, 2008 at 10:26 am24 Chris

Interesting list, happy TT!
on February 14, 2008 at 12:40 pm25 maryt/theteach

ellen, I was a little older than you back in 1964 but I was glued nevertheless to my TV screen too! Weren’t they wonderful?! Happy Valentine’s Day!
on February 14, 2008 at 12:54 pm26 marcia v

I ‘v e always liked them but the only star I ever went gaga over was Donny Osmond tee hee slightly embarressed
on February 14, 2008 at 2:19 pm27 Lesley

I’ve never been a real fan, but my mom still has their very first record somewhere in her house.
on February 14, 2008 at 5:03 pm28 Tasina

What a fantastic list. Thanks for putting it up!!

Cheers.
on February 14, 2008 at 6:46 pm29 Beth

Who was your favorite? Mine——-George
on February 14, 2008 at 7:42 pm30 Corina

I was nine when they landed in America in 1964. I remember being glued to the TV set, too.

Our whole family watched them on the Ed Sullivan show the first time. Probably the other times, too, but I remember the first time quite specifically!

I still prefer their music to any other. My three kids grew up listening to The Beatles and are Beatle fans themselves.
on February 14, 2008 at 7:43 pm31 Corina

Oh! Favorite Beatle…then and now…Ringo!
on February 20, 2008 at 11:08 pm32 Gattina

I just prepared my wedding when they became famous, so I missed most of it, but I liked and still love their music !