1964

After conquering Sweden, the Beatles landed in Heathrow. At the same time, American showman Ed Sullivan just happened to be there. Seeing the crowd of fans, he booked them on the spot. On landing at JFK airport in New York, the boys were shocked and pleased to see the overwhelming turnout of fans. Bedlam ensued and Beatlemania was born. Everywhere they went, there were screaming fans, singing songs and wearing Beatle “moptop” wigs and t-shirts. 73 million people watched the Beatles perform on Ed Sullivan’s show that Sunday night, February 9, 1964. Not a single crime was committed across America during this historic moment. Their first concert was held at the Washington Coliseum in D.C. They returned to England, where they began filming their first movie with Dick Lester. Titled “A Hard Day’s Night” and filmed in black and white, it was a huge success, even winning over the critics who proclaimed it a comedic masterpiece. After a brief holiday, they toured Australia (with drummer Jimmy Nicols filling in for ailing Ringo), then back to America for a whirlwind tour. Their newly released records continued to top the charts. There seemed no end to their popularity.

Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Ed Sullivan, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, February 9, 1964.

Shea Stadium, New York, 1965.

1965

1965 was more of the same. Another move, “Help”, a James Bond spoof, this time in color. More introspective songs by John Lennon who was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan at the time, were released. Paul wrote his masterpiece, “Yesterday.” And this was the year they were first introduced to LSD, the hallucinogenic drug that would influence their music for the coming years. The Beatles were honored by the Queen with MBE medals for their outstanding contribution to the British economy. After a tour of Europe, they returned to America where they played New York’s Shea Stadium to a record crowd. They met their hero, Elvis Presley while touring. On return to England, they began recording what they call their “pot” album, “Rubber Soul.”

1966

1966 was the beginning of the Beatles psychedelic period, when they begin really experimenting in the studio rather than merely performing the songs on tape. Their “LSD” album, “Revolver” was released. They took some time off and took to partying in London with other famous musician, namely the Rolling Stones and the Animals. Upset that their label in America, Capital Records, was chopping up their albums to release more records, they photographed what became known as “the butcher cover” for American release “Yesterday and Today.” Uproar ensued on its release and Capital quickly withdrew it from stores and recovered it with a more acceptable (and boring) cover. The record is now one of the mostly highly collectible album ever released, with collectors paying thousands of dollars for one. They toured the Far East, where they were trapped in their hotel for days, overcome by screaming fans. They ran into trouble in the Philippines, where they accidentally offended Imelda Marcos by declining a dinner invitation. Melee erupted and they barely escaped intact. More trouble was ahead, as john spoke freely with a friend and reporter, Maureen Cleaves. He said, “… the Beatles are bigger than Jesus Christ,” and all hell broke loose. Just in time for their tour of the American deep south, there were “Beatle burnings” held, sponsored by churches and radio stations where kids burned all their record and paraphernalia. They feared for their lives on stage, ducking at every loud noise. Yet, they played another record show at Shea Stadium. The Beatles had had it with touring. Their show in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park would be their last. They took a break to do their own thing for while: John went to Spain to make “How I Won the War,” and met artist Yoko Ono for the first time. George visited India and learned the sitar from Ravi Shankar. Paul scored music for a film, “The Family Way.” Ringo took a much needed break.

Home | Meet the Beatles | Coming Together | Hippie Years | Coming Apart