Today in History: February 7, The Beatles arrive for first US tour

[Omaha Steve]

https://apnews.com/today-in-history/february-7

Today in history:

On Feb. 7, 1964, the Beatles were met by thousands of screaming fans at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport as they arrived to begin their first American tour.

[FakeNoose]

1. I remember the early Beatles' milestones very well!

At age 13, I and most of my teeny-bopper friends were screaming Beatles' fans.
It was so much fun! It was all over so quickly.

[electric_blue68]

5. My friends, and I had a hell of a lot fun!

We went to see them at Shea Stadium in '65 and '66. Then there was A Hard Day's Nigbt, and Help. By '68 I shed the "screamy teenybopper" aspect, and remained a fan. Good times!

[Boomerproud]

6. You grew with them.

[FakeNoose]

12. Yes we grew up but we have fond memories of those awesome days

[underpants]

2. Remember this was a little less than 3 months after JFK was assassinated

As you probably know it is quite a story of how they got popular over here.

A Long Island teenager traveled with her father to Europe and she brought home records. She relentlessly called one of the big NYC DJ’s about them and sent (I think it was WABC) records to them which they started playing. 3:15 pop songs- boy meets girl, girl meets boy, holding hands, love me do, etc.

Ed Sullivan happened to be waking from a flight in Heathrow when he saw a group of screaming teenage girls. What’s this about? The entertainment industry is basically centered around teenage or young adult women. If they like it, the boys will do it.

Finally Sullivan wants to put them on his show. CBS executives aren’t sure. The country just went through a pretty rough holiday season. They go to Cronkite to see what he thinks. He says “It’s time for the country to have some fun again”

That’s the briefest summary I can do.

[electric_blue68]

4. I remember reading waaay later about the teenager, but didn't know the Sullivan, and Cronkite story.

[underpants]

7. Another odd show business related JFK thing

Actually two

The original “Manchurian Candidate” movie with Sinatra and Angela Lansbury was set to open in a few days after JFK was killed. Waaaay too soon. I’m not sure how or when it was originally released.

The opening sequence of Gilligan’s Island was filmed in a SoCal marina that weekend. They only had a permit for that weekend and rescheduling could take a long time. All the flags on the boats are at half mast. That was just for the first season. They reshot it after they got re-upped for a second season.

[electric_blue68]

8. Interesting stuff....

I was 10 so didn't see these...

Saw The Manchurian Candidate on line decades later.

[2naSalit]

3. I remember that!

My older sister was interested but she wasn't one of the screamers.

[Boomerproud]

9. I remember dancing to "Little Child" and Thank You Girl"

In my living room with neighbor kids. Of course I wanted to marry Paul. The memories have now become bittersweet.

[Brother Buzz]

10. Nine days later the Beatles met future champ, Cassius Clay

The Beatles second Ed Sullivan appearance was filmed in Miami. The upcoming title fight between Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay was in Miami.

Sonny Liston, the champ, refused to met the Beatles, “I ain’t posing with them sissies”, but Cassius Clay, the master of publicity, embraced them, “Come on Beatles, let’s go make some money”.

[lamp_shade]

11. I was with friends at the Gorge View Bowling Alley in Little Falls, NY.