The Fab Four's debut album in America, ‘Introducing...The Beatles,’ was released on January 10th, 1964, by a small label that almost missed the chance.
Sixty years ago this week, The Beatles made their first official entry into the U.S. music market with the release of their album Introducing...The Beatles. The album, which featured 12 songs from their British debut Please Please Me, was issued by Vee-Jay Records, a small, Black-owned, independent label based in Chicago.
However, the album's release was not without controversy and complications. Capitol Records, the American branch of EMI, which owned the Beatles' U.K. label Parlophone, had initially rejected the album, claiming that the Beatles' music would not appeal to American audiences. This gave Vee-Jay the opportunity to acquire the rights to the album for a five-year period, after paying a small advance fee.
But Vee-Jay was in financial trouble and delayed the release of the album for several months, missing the chance to capitalize on the Beatles' growing popularity in the U.K. and Europe. Meanwhile, Capitol changed its mind and decided to release the Beatles' music in the U.S., starting with the single "I Want to Hold Your Hand," which came out on December 26th, 1963, and became an instant hit.
Vee-Jay finally released Introducing...The Beatles on January 10th, 1964, but with some changes from the original version. Two songs, "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why," were omitted from the album, although they were later released as singles. The album cover also featured a different photo of the band and a different font for the title.
The album was a success, reaching number-two on the Billboard chart and selling over 1.3 million copies. It was certified both gold and platinum in 2014. However, Vee-Jay's rights to the album were challenged by Capitol and EMI, who sued the label for breach of contract and trademark infringement. After a series of legal battles, Vee-Jay was allowed to keep selling the album until October 15th, 1964, after which Capitol took over the distribution of the Beatles' catalog in the U.S.
The Beatles' second U.S. album, Meet the Beatles, was released by Capitol on January 20th, 1964, and became their first number-one album in America. The band's popularity skyrocketed after their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964, which was watched by an estimated 73 million viewers. The phenomenon of Beatlemania was born, and The Beatles became the most influential and successful band in the history of rock and roll.
Introducing...The Beatles is now considered a classic and a collector's item, as it showcases the early sound and style of The Beatles, before they evolved into more experimental and innovative musicians. The album includes some of their most memorable songs, such as "Love Me Do," "I Saw Her Standing There," and their cover of The Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout." The album also represents a pivotal moment in the history of the music industry, as it marked the beginning of the British Invasion and the rise of independent labels.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]