As February, 2013 draws to an end, we want to take a quick look at the shortest month 49 years ago, the month that changed the world, 1964. THE BEATLES were almost totally unknown in the U.S. five weeks earlier, but they began February with the top two songs – I Want To Hold Your Hand and She Loves You and 4 other songs on the Top 100! Beatlemania was well under way. They landed at JFK Airport on Friday the 7th to a welcome with thousands of screaming teenagers. They gave their first press conference at the Airport and immediately won over the press. When they got to The Plaza Hotel in midtown NYC there were 400 fans waiting there, too. Almost every other song being played on Top 40 radio was a Beatles song. Sunday Night’s (9th) Live appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show was viewed by 73 Million people, over 40% of the population at the time (Superbowls are seen by about 30%). There was also no crime reported during the hour! After their first concert (11th) at the Washington Coliseum, they returned to NY to play two shows at Cargenie Hall on Lincoln’s Birthday holiday (12th). Next it was off to Florida for another Live TV appearance from the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach. A few days of public appearances and some R & R and they departed to a hero’s welcome in London. Before the month was over, George turned 21 and they immediately began recording music for their first movie. As the month ended, The Beatles had a dozen songs on the charts, were on the covers of all the major magazines and millions of teenagers (myself included) took to growing their hair and learning to play guitars or drums! There has never been a month in the history of entertainment that was more important or exciting!!!
The Original & Longest Running Beatles Celebration, Since 1974!
