15 Things You Didn't Know About The Beatles' First Visit to the U.S. 

I was one of the 73 million people watching the Ed Sullivan show. I was only nine years old but I became a fan for life.

I was 9 years old, and this friend of mine was all excited in school on a Monday morning. he asked me if I had seen the Beatles last night? I said no, he said they're really cool they've got long hair. They're going to be on The Ed Sullivan show again next Sunday. So everybody was really anticipating it all week and the next Sunday we watched The Beatles and it was instantly insane! We were blown away! The next morning when I got on the school bus everybody was talking and saying no, it's like this, it's like this, combing their hair in all these different ways, trying to make it look like the Beatles! Wild days, and it just went on.

I was 8 years old when I watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show and I have been a Beatles fanatic ever since. There will never be another band that can equal the Fab Four EVER. I miss them so.

I watched their debut on the Ed Sullivan in 1964 and became an instant fan! I was 11 years old.

I had just turned 7 years old. The November before my world was to change the upcoming New Year in February 1964. With my older brother in tow. We begged our parents for any type of way to play the new Beatles record. LOVE WAS IN THE AIR! And I am a diehard fan. As well as my brother Tom. May he be resting in peace! Thank you! John Paul George and Ringo Not necessarily in that order. It wouldn't have been the same without either of you!!! Peace and Love

I remember my older sister & her friend were screaming in the front yard..."The Beatles are coming! The Beatles are coming!" I looked down on the ground but couldn't see any. Later that night I SAW THEM!!

It's important to note that they arrived exactly 11 weeks on from the death of President Kennedy, so much of the country was still in a state of mourning. We cannot underestimate how much the Beatles helped America through this tragedy.

I was 12 years old watching Ed Sullivan every Sunday night was something my family always did. I thought they were fantastic. I asked my father what he thought I will never forget him saying they don't say anything in their songs. They certainly proved him wrong becoming the most influential songwriters of the 20th century.

It's very rare, but ever so often a musical act comes along that is so innovative, so revolutionary, it changes everything. Beethoven for example. His music couldn't be contained in small salons, restricted to the elites of society. The instruments of the day couldn't handle it either. The pianos we have today, started with him. His music was so big, it broke out to concert halls, where the masses, the little people could enjoy it! Same with the Beatles. Everything we take for granted in music today, started with them. Stadium shows. Massive sound systems. Recording techniques. The advances in popular music that came from 'The Greatest Popular Music Act in Histrory' can not be overstated! I was fourteen when I first heard 'All my Loving' back in February 1964. I was truly blessed to be a witness!

I was ten years old when The Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan show. I remember my Mom telling me to finish my book report and I could watch them. It was on the life of President John Kennedy. I cut pictures of him out of Life and Look magazines. When the Beatles came on I danced with my mother she loved good music and could sing like a bird.The Beatles changed everything cannot imagine the world without them. They got me into music and I still play guitar today. The Beatles brought some cheer to the U.S. when it was badly needed after the assassination of Mr.Kennedy. A week later my book report was proudly displayed on our living room table. My grade of AAA+++ made Mom so proud! Miss you so much Mom love you your son Richard.

I’m a relatively new Beatles fan (last six months) and I can see why they were so popular. 👍😎

I was 12 years old, and had my first film camera. Taking pictures was so expensive, especially for a kid, I had to plan my one photo off the black and white TV screen carefully. Just as I snapped the picture of the 4, the cameras switched to a closeup of John, but I didn't realize it until days later when I got the film developed, and there was only one Beatle in it. But I still have that blurry, grainy photo of John today.

Hate to be that guy, but YESTERDAY wasn't composed in Paris in 1964. He wrote it while living at Jane Asher's.

The Beatles definitely changed music around the world. They also changed the way people dressed and wore their hair. I can attest to that because after 60 years, I’m still wearing my hair long. I’m in my 70’s, and still listen to their music. Back then, people were saying that they wouldn’t last, that they were a flash in the pan. I knew different. They were special, I often wonder what things would be like if there hadn’t been a Mark Chapman, or George hadn’t gotten cancer, would they have gotten back together for a reunion concert? But, we can only imagine.

Only one year ago, on RU-vid,I saw the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show. I had not seen it since February 9th 1964 but it was exactly as I had remembered it in my mind all the years since. I was only 7 years old in February '64 so it really must have made a huge impression on me that night. I also remember my mother that night thought that they were cute, and my father thought they needed a haircut!

"Introducing . . . The Beatles" was released in August/September, 1963, and tracks from it were plaed on Chicago radio in October, 1963. "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and in addition, "I Saw Her Standing There," began being played on an all-night Boston raadio station in November-December, 1963. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was being played on a New York radio station in at latest December, 1963, so was "Bubbling Under" the station's "Top 20" on December 31, 1963. The next day, on January 1, 1964, it was #1 on that station. The "Billboard" chart finally registered it as #1 a month of so later based on local radio-play and sales nationally.

In 1964 many TV shows were 30 minutes. The Ed Sullivan Show was an hour. It was preceded on CBS by “My Favorite Martian”, a 30 minute Sit-com. The Ed Sullivan Show started at 8:00 pm, AND it’s biggest competitor was the 60 minute “Wonderful World of Disney”, which aired at 7,30 pm. I was 11 yrs old at the time and wanted to watch Disney, but my parents wanted to watch Sullivan to see what the fuss over the Beatles was all about. I am always grateful, that we watched Sullivan and got to see the Beatles first US performance. Been a fan ever since.

Thank you for this video, I have been a life long fan of the Beatles. I was born 9/26/1960 and one of my earliest memories was the night the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. When the girls in the audience started screaming my mom said "Oh MY God", which made me curious enough to pay attention. I will never forget.

There indeed, was a major shift from life in black-and-white, on Ed Sullivan in 1964, viewed by 70 million people, to a world in color by 1967, when the Beatles performed “All you need is, love,” on the broadcast “Our World,” in Britain, which was seen by an estimated 400 million people in 5 continents, That transition was the most unique and powerful change in history! Amazing how their music, changed the face of life for so many in the world, and that was heralded in by The Beatles.

I was 11 years old when the Beatles appeared on ed Sullivan in February 1964. Because I had 3 younger brothers ages 8, 7 and 5, we rarely watched Sullivan's show opting instead for the Wonderful world of Disney. Hence my elder brother (14), sister (13) and I had to endure Davy Crockett for the first 30 minutes of Sullivan until switching over for the second half. Hence we missed their first performance of the 3 shows but got to see the finale. It's something we still talk about 60 years later. My parents made up for it by getting us 3 older siblings tickets to the Beatles performance in Chicago at Comiskey Park August 20, 1965.

What a fantastic video have a good weekend ❤😊

I was in 4th grade when The Beatles were on "The Ed Sullivan Show." Before they were on, most of the boys had their hair slicked down with Bryl Creme...on Monday Feb 10th almost all of the boys had dry hair and had it combed forward.

I remember sitting on the floor by my. Mom watching tv and Sullivan introduced “THE BEATLES” . I turned to my Mom and said “WHAT ARE THE BEATLES” . I was 12 yrs old . IT WAS NEVER THE SAME .

I would LOVE to see that documentary of The Beatles first coming to America! I didn’t know they did one. That would be so cool to see them walking around in their hotel and around town.

Thanks so much for this, MusicBOX❣️

I was almost 6 when they were on Ed Sullivan and still remember it vividly. My parents were not impressed but I was. I became an immediate fan and my interest in music shot through the ceiling. The first single I ever bought was Hello Goodbye when I was 9 and it inspired me to want to learn to play guitar. I started guitar lessons when I was 14 and play to this day, having been in numerous bands. I've learned and played many Beatles (and individual Beatle) songs over the years plus I also learned piano and play numerous piano based Beatle songs as well. All brought on by the first appearance! Now my daughter has been bitten by the Beatles bug for a while and it shows no signs of letting up. She plays piano too and we regularly jam on Beatles tunes! Such a great way to maintain that closeness! Thank you John, Paul, George, and Ringo!!!

GREAT VIDEO BRO!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! ✌🏻🥰

I also watched the Beatles live on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was just 6, but my sister who was 14 talked about them all the time. Everybody was talking about the Beatles. It's hard to explain how big of a deal they were, I haven't seen anything like it since.

So cool. Great footage and narration. Thanks for posting.

Watched them on Ed Sullivan with my 1st band as a 16 year old… the excitement they generated has never been repeated… great memories of their music , being one of the 1st bands in our area to acquire the Beatle outfits too wear.. fun times😎🎸🎶

70 Million Watched that 1st Ed Show. I was One of them

I watched all of the Beatles shows on Ed Sullivan Show. I was 11 years old. I’ve been a fan ever since.

A couple of points of order. The first time the Beatles appeared on American TV was not December 1963. It happened a month earlier, November 18th, when NBC Nightly News ran what was essentially a hit piece on the band. Ed Sullivan was livid, not only because they trashed the band prior to their appearance on his show but also because he was under the impression he had exclusive rights to their TV appearances and felt NBC scooped him in an unethical manner. Also, you left out two important factoids. The first, was that John got pissed when they flashed; "Sorry girls, he's married," as his name came across the screen. Not only did Brian do his best to keep John's marriage a secret in Europe, John didn't like it being advertised for his own more hedonistic reasons. The Beatles were far from the the cuddly pillow-fighting roustabouts they were portrayed to be in their hotel suites. The second important fact you failed to acknowledge was that they didn't show up at my birthday party. Okay, 🤔maybe you only failed to mention one important fact. It bothered me nonetheless but I got over it. They were a bit busy at the time after all.

I was 8 years old with 9 brothers and sisters. It was my turn to pick the channel that night and I wanted to watch Wonderful World of Disney because I hated the Ed Sullivan Show. The older siblings pleaded with me and promised we would only watch whatever it was and turn it back when it was over. Not having the slightest idea of what they were talking about I relented. I was absolutely stunned and my life changed. Before that I wanted to be a priest or maybe an astronaut. After that moment I wanted to be a Beatle. Oh, I still wanted to be an astronaut now and then but the priest days were certainly over.

I was 4 years old when they appeared on Ed Sullivan, I have loved them ever since!

I watched them on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964. I was 5 1/2 years old. ❤

No I Wasnt There!But My Dad and Uncle,that worked for a local Radio station,Got to Chat with the Beatles,before there performance!So Cool!

I saw the Ed Sullivan performances. Quite amazing for that time. I was 13.

My mom, two aunts and my grandfather were at their first 1964 show at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Cool cultural capital. My grandfather could care have cared less but he said the screaming chicks were amusing.

This is great 😊

Watching the full performance of Feb 9 on youtube, you can hear Ringo’s every strike of the cymbols and drums clearly! Never heard Ritchie perform like that ever again!

I remember watching them on Ed Sullivan, and saying to myself, I want to do that.

I was 4 years old in 1963, but I had older brothers who bought Beatle records. I loved them. My father hated them, used to threaten to throw the records across the street to see if they'd fly like Frisbees. Made me cry every time, and he'd laugh.

Greatest thing about the Beatles first tours of America is that they refused to play in front of segregated audiences.

I was 10 years old that Sunday night in February,1964.I turne 11 that Pril. I will never forget that night.

Deve ter sido uma loucura inesquecível para quem teve a oportunidade de recepcionar os Beatles!!!! Parabéns pelo vídeo !!!!👏👏👏👏🇧🇷

I watched the Beatles on Ed Sullivan that night. It happened to be my 9th birthday, and I told my parents the only gift I wanted was to be able to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. My parents weren't too thrilled with the Beatles, as most adults at that time weren't. But they gave in because it was my bday. I've been a fan all my life . . . Miss them.

I like that banner that said Ringo for President.

George Harrison actually was the first Beatle to come to the USA. During a respite from touring in Europe ,he decided to visit a relative here when given the chance. The others decided to stay in the UK . I believe this was December 1963 or January 1964

I was 4 years old and I loved them.

Great Video. , , 😊🇸🇪 We 60 :ies coming right behind, 👍👍🙏

The third showing on Ed Sullivan was to be from Miami, Florida. I was in High School about 25 miles north of Miami in Broward County and the day before the Beatles were scheduled to fly into Miami International, our school Principle held an assembly to inform us all that there would no "Excused absences" on the following day, even from parents.

I was 16 when The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. I grew up in Nashville and my parents were country music fans. They thought the band was funny and I had some photos taken with my hair combed in bangs. When I saw how the girls at school reacted I got serious and learned to play guitar. I mostly performed in high school and college but never made a living in the music industry. Still, it changed my life in a positive way and I will always love the lads from Liverpool.

Great video

I'm 70 years old and because I'm Australian I didn't have the opportunity to see them live but after I saw them on TV I was an instant fan and even today their music blows me away. When I was 11 I was learning piano but I dropped it and took up the guitar.after seeing them. DOH being a dopey eleven year old it didn't occur to me that I could do both. Still playing guitar, I have several and dad's old upright piano.

I was also 11 yrs. old when the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. That opened the gate to what was called: Beatlemania. I joined a local official Beatles Fan Club in N.J. The older Beatlemaniacs were dead serious about the whole thing.

I was in 4th grade when the Beatles were on the E Sullivan show. Not too much longer after that the Beatles merch. was hitting the big dept. stores. We were in Dayton's (Minneapolis) and they had a display table that was loaded with Beatles wigs. Of course there was an abundance of other Beatles stuff. My big regret is that I didn't buy any of it some of which would be worth big bucks today. Also, my Sister who is 4 years older than me got to see the Beatles live at the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington,MN. The crowd was screaming so loud they couldn't even hear the music which is unfortunate but an experience that she'll never forget Im sure.

The movie 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' shows the visit through the eyes of the adoring fans.

It wasn't until the Beatles were around for a few years before I gave them much thought, didn't care for the early years. The songs Yesterday and Norwegian Wood I personal think are two of their best and is when I really started listening to and liking them.

I was 12 years old. I started guitar in 1961 at 9 years old, so when the Beatles hit I was ready to rock. My first public performance was in 8th grade in a school talent show where we played a couple Beatles songs.

I was 5, and my first name then was George. You bet that was cool when they superimposed the first names of the band and there was mine! (Decades later, I legally changed my first name, and I know that was a crushing blow to Mr. Harrison :) . In my kindergarten, four of us (all aged 5 to 7) formed a "band" singing actual Beatles songs, and playing on little dime-store bought guitars, in the basement of my cousins, Richie and David. My uncle came running downstairs and said, wow that was great! One of our "group," a boy named Bill, went on to to be a pro rock musician in a regionally known group called Free Fall. That was his post-Beatles group.

The bealtes came to America on fri Feb 7th 1964. My 9th birthday. Best birthday present I ever got

I remember running home from the store after buying the Sgt Peppers album......Those songs !...It was a religious experience !!

I was 10 when they came to the ed Sullivan show What a show it was On a side note …. I was grounded when they played shea stadium so I did not see the original show

Nice

I remember; I had just turned 9. It was Sunday evening, but I don't remember which of the Sunday evenings. My parents were non-plussed and hated the hair. I was already fan of Peter, Paul & Mary and also the Beach Boys. I didn't quite know what to think. (Eventually, my parents budged on the Beatle boots, but never on the hair.) Later, I would become a fan (though not exclusive) and my children, in their 40s now, all became big fans. My son's 3 tattoo studios are named 27 (research that one) and has a teenage daughter named Lennon. Both my sons, the other one in music production, have met Sean and Dhani on multiple occasions. The whole family has seen Paul and Ringo in concert on at least one occasion.

I was 9 years old when I saw them that night. I knew nothing was ever going to be the same again.

Their visit and breakthrough into the States resulted in them laying and leaving a free pathway to other British bands to visit and explode into the States, completely changing the whole music world there, like they had in the UK, making many of their successful predecessors virtually redundant. Alright for the Killer Roy Orbison, as he already developed a sound of his own that the British Invasion did not out-fashion, and therefore completely weathered it, and very deservedly.

Uh.. can someone help Ringo turn the drum riser??? Guess Mal was busy.

Very accurate information! A history lesson, that should be shown at Mysic College!

Hey great video again... Do you have a contact I can reach out to? I have a question / maybe some pertinent little known info about the first visit and the flights over here

I was six years old and I remember Beatle wigs, Beatle Boots Beatle lunch boxes etc...in fact it was Beatles everything ! In 1965 I got an electric guitar and we were off...

It took these kids from Liverpool to revive the music phenomenon of Rock 'n Roll in the U.S.

Also, at 3:28, Ringo is behind a white marine pearl kit in rehearsals, then the famous black oyster kit appears when televised.

I remember seeing that Jack Parr show!❤❤❤❤

Also appearing on the Ed Sullivan show on the same bill was a young unknown 18 year old called Davey Jones. Monkeemania two years later.

I saw a "Ringo For President" sign. I wish that could really happen now.

It was Sunday night, I was in the 8th grade. They came on, my world changed. In later years I went to the U.K. and toured Liverpool, Matthew St. (The Cavern Club), Penney Lane, down to London ... Abbey Rd. in St. John's Wood, walked across the "zebra crossing". Eventually played in a terrible rock band. To this day, still a big fan. ♥

The only music I was familiar with at the time was what my parents listened to on the radio. Was clueless about AM pop. My only exposure to AM were the transister radios the kids played on the 30 minute school bus ride. The Ed Sullivan show was a family "must watch" on our Zenith TV. When I saw that hisoric broadcast, my impression was, "That's the band I kept hearing over and over again on the bus". I was not impressed. I didn't become a Beatle fan until Sgt Peppers.

My oldest buddy’s dad, Jim Berry, was the driver who drove them from JFK to the Plaza Hotel. He lived in Baldwin, LI, where we grew up, or at least sideways.😅 Steve and I have been best friends since our early teens.

Yes I remember there appearance on Ed Sullivan like it was yesterday. I was 9 years old and I wanted to be them when I grew up. I mean the music and the girls 😊🎉 , who wouldn't want to be them, but all and all it was a great time. All my good memories of family and growing up is tied to them 😅. But even if it wasn't my era, great is great know matter what. Butch cummings.😊

I saw missed the first Ed Sullivan show but watched the second show I was 3 weeks from 10 years old

"Scrambled Eggs" was written in Jane Asher's house.

Another interesting story I'd heard has to do with the Rickenbacker guitar John is playing. I think he had this one from his Hamburg days, and the company, I guess knowing he played a Ric, sent some new models to them in Miami. One was a new 12-string model. Roger McGuinn, of the Byrds, saw the Beatles with the guitar (and/or heard it played in a Beatles song, not sure anymore) -- instantly wanted one for himself, and, just like that, Jangle Pop was born! And we owe it all to, not the Ed Sullivan show exactly, but that 1964 East Coast sojourn.

Never heard them…😍

I remember how different my parents reacted to them. My mother helped my brothers and I put on a performance at our middle school with Beatle wigs and boots and card board guitars lip syncing to the song she loves you. My dad couldn't understand what the fuss was all about, when we played their records he'd yell up the stairs at us, "Turn down that yeah yeah yeah nonsense."

No way Paul wrote Yesterday that early on. He wrote it much later.

Here's the 16th thing you didn't know: The Beatles played all the songs on February 9 1964, the afternoon taped 3 songs and the famous live nighttime performance all tuned down one half step because of George's voice problems. For example: Twist and Shout was played in Db instead of D. Please Me in Eb instead of E. She Loves You in Gb instead of G. etc etc 🎸 🥁

Maysels brothers documentary was fantastic its free on RU-vid

George Harrison was the only Beatle who had already been to the States. His older sister Louise was married to a Scottish mining engineer.They lived in Southern Illinois near coal mines. The other three guys were at the Cost del Sol in Spain.This was in the Summer of 1963. George sat in a jammed with some local bands and got to try fried chicken and pizza.He told his sister that he loved both and couldn't wait to tell the other guys about pizza and fried chicken.

John was silly to worry. Anyone who knew of the Beatles knew it was Johns band but as well anyone in that band had the ability to front it. That is one of the factors that made them so unique and special. It's amazing they lasted 10 years with that ego. But thank goodness they did.

Yes we got to see them in 64 in Vegas. Insanely noise. You could barely hear them sing. Very matching suits and warm smile during the JFK times. A good pick is up, for USA.

I was a zygote then, but still a fan for life >.

Paul created Yesterday in London, at Jane Asher's home.

A mistake was made when they are supposedly flying back from New York and are seen in a convertible . However, drummer, Jimmie Nichol is riding in the car instead of Ringo meaning it was during the 2 week period he was subbing for Ringo in June of 1964 and not in February of 1964. How about that. I lived in Hong Kong when Jimmie played the gigs there on June 9th 1964. That's how I know. as they should have also known.

7:46 when The Beatles returned to London after their 1st American tour, Jimmie Nicol wasn't in the car with them.

Question...wasn't there a live performance on Friday Feb. 7th in NYC, Radio City had an open date.

After seeing the Sullivan Show on Sunday, we decided to take the Washington DC bus from Northern Virginia to Washington Colosseum for the Tuesday concert. It was known that there were empty seats but we were not allowed in. All we heard was the screaming and a bit of Beatle voices here and there. I had parent permission but my friend did not. Did I mention we did not have tickets?

What did the song Yesterday have to do with the first visit?

I reaD Brian E scheduled a press/meet&greet party. Generous amount of delicious Food and top shelf Booze was served up on White Linen by white glove staff. All the record company personnel, top talent mgt staff, hoarse jockeys,popular radio djs,hot chicks,photograghers hipsters all were mailed out invitation on elegant letterhead. It was held on the top floor fancy suite in elegant New York City Hotel in late 63 . Sad to think that in less than 90 days they would go on Ed S show and kick a** but on this evening NOBODY SHOWED.