It was 60 years ago this month that The Beatles became the biggest band in the world.
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr flew off from Heathrow on February 7, 1964 as 4000 British fans waved them goodbye.
Several hours later. the Fab Four landed at New York’s JFK Airport where 3000 American fans greeted them in a frenzy.
Two days later The Beatles gave their first American TV performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, performing All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There and I Want to Hold Your Hand.
Their iconic television US debut was watched by around 73 million people across 23 million households, which was around 34 per cent of the US population.
Celebrating the anniversary, Sir Paul McCartney wrote on Instagram: “The Beatles rocked The Ed Sullivan Show 60 years ago today! Their performance was broadcast to a record 73 million viewers, and kicked off Beatlemania in the US.”
Macca also announced that: “behind-the-scenes photos from the show’s rehearsals are on display at @chryslermuseum in Norfolk, Virginia until April 7th. The #EyesOfTheStorm exhibition will then open at @brooklynmuseum on May 3rd. The accompanying book ‘1964: Eyes of the Storm’ is also out now.”
