The Beatles are widely regarded as the most influential rock band of all time, and their impact on American culture and music is undeniable. We’re looking back at that historic moment that happened 60 years ago this week on February 1st, 1964, that started it all.
On that day, the Beatles' catchy single "I Want to Hold Your Hand" reached the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the first of many records they would break in the US. The song had been released in the UK in November 1963, where it quickly became a smash hit, selling over a million copies in advance orders. However, the Beatles had not yet made a dent in the American market, despite the efforts of their manager, Brian Epstein, who had secured them a contract with Capitol Records, the US branch of their label, EMI.
The Beatles had vowed not to visit America until they had a number-one song here, and they got their wish when a 15-year-old girl from Maryland named Marsha Albert wrote to a local radio station, asking them to play some Beatles music. The DJ managed to obtain a copy of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and played it on the air, sparking a frenzy among listeners who wanted to hear more. Capitol Records rushed to release the single on December 26, 1963, and it sold over a quarter of a million copies in three days.
The Beatles were unaware of their sudden popularity in the US until they received a telegram from Capitol Records while they were in Paris, performing at the Olympia Theatre. In an audio clip, Paul McCartney recalled the moment they learned they had topped the charts in America: "We were in Paris one time playing the Olympia in Paris when back at the hotel a telegram came through from Capitol Records of America to Brian and he came running in the room. He said, 'You're number-one in America.' Well, just something I can't describe. The feeling. We just -- ahey! We all tried to jump on big [road manager] Mal's [Evans] back."
The news prompted the Beatles to book their first trip to America, where they arrived on February 7, 1964, to a crowd of 4,000 screaming fans at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Two days later, they made their legendary debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, watched by an estimated 73 million viewers, or 40 percent of the US population at the time. The Beatles performed five songs, including "I Want to Hold Your Hand", which received the loudest applause from the audience.
The Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show marked the beginning of the British Invasion, a wave of British music that swept the US in the mid-1960s. The Beatles dominated the Billboard charts for the next few months, holding the top five positions simultaneously in April 1964, a feat that has never been repeated. After "I Want to Hold Your Hand" ended its seven-week reign at number one, it was replaced by "She Loves You", another Beatles song, which stayed there for two weeks. Then came "Can't Buy Me Love", which topped the chart for five weeks, giving the Beatles 14 consecutive weeks at number one.
The Beatles' success in America was not only a musical phenomenon, but also a cultural and social one. They inspired millions of young people to grow their hair, wear new fashions, and form their own bands. They also challenged the norms of the music industry, by writing their own songs, experimenting with different genres and sounds, and expressing their views on various issues. They opened the doors for other British artists, such as the Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks, to follow in their footsteps and make their mark on American soil.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]