Stand By Me single released by John Lennon

Exactly 40 years ago, John Lennon released his last single before his comeback. On March 10, 1975, the first and only single from his new cover album "Rock 'n Roll" was released in America (the rest of the world would have to wait until April 18).

Stand Be Me (Move over Mrs. L was on the flip side) reached No. 20 on the Billboard charts and was in the top 100 for 9 weeks.

The Beatles try water-skiing

On Monday 17 February 1964, The Beatles took a day off after their succesful appearence on the Ed Sullivan show.

One of the things The Beatles did that day, was waterskiing from the back of a 23-foot Formula race boat in Biscayne Bay.
Dezo Hoffmann took some very nice pictures of The Beatles in the water, including one where Paul is resting with his waterskis still on.

The Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan Show for the second time

On Sunday February 16, 1964, The Beatles appeared a second time on the Ed Sullivan show, this time transmitted from the Napoleon Room in the Deauville Hotel, Miami, Florida.

At 2pm The Beatles had a full rehearsal. According to some sources this was taped and intended for broadcast, but this never happened.

The Beatles performed from 8 pm till approximately 9pm and about 2,500 fans attended. More than 3,500 tickets had been given out by CBS, so the Miami police had a lot of work to contain the 1,000 fans who were not allowed to enter.

Other artists on the bill included: - Mitzi Gaynor (an actress, singer and dancer who was born as Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber): She performed for an unprecedented nine-minute segment and "Too Darn Hot" and a blues medley
- Myron Cohen, the comedian
- Joe Louis, a professional boxer
- Sonny Liston, a professional boxer who would later fight against Cassius Clay (whom the Beatles would soon meet)

The Beatles performed six songs: She Loves You, This Boy, All My Loving, I Saw Her Standing There, From Me To You and I Want To Hold Your Hand.

The first Ed Sullivan had 73 million viewers, and this one about 70 million.

The Beatles in the Napoleon Room

Today, on 15 February 1964, the Beatles rehearsed for their second Ed Sullivan show. The CBS show would be broadcast from the Napoleon Room in the Deauville Hotel, and that is where the rehearsal took place. On the internet you can find lots of pictures that show The Beatles in swim trunks inside the Napoleon Room!

After the rehearsal there was a second rehearsal (called "dress rehearsal) in front of an audience of 2,500 people.

The next part of the day they went fishing

Relaxing in Miami

Valentine's day 1964 saw the Beatles still in Miami, getting ready for the second Ed Sullivan show which was scheduled for 16 February.

The went to the set (at the Deauville Beach Resort) and did some basic rehearsals (sound & lights check)

Afterwards they relaxed at the pool of an employee at Capitol Records. Reporters from LIFE magazine were allowed to take pictures, and they are among the most famous photographs taken in 1964.

They also met Bernard Castro, inventor of the convertible couch (no relation to Fidél) who lent them his yachts. Ringo managed to damage the boat but according to an interview with him, the owners didn't seem to mind.

At night they went to the hotel's nightclub and saw entertainers Don Rickles, Myron Cohen and Carol Lawrence.

Don Rickles was an agressive loud-mouth comedian, and The Beatles were not accustomed to hearing comedy that was so personal and direct (they grew up with a complete different sense of humour).

He was a very different kind of performer, very close to his public and approachable. Probably his first job as a salesman in the garment industry played a role in that!

Carol Lawrence finally was a singer and actress who rose to fame in her role as Maria on the Broadway production of West Side Story. Younger readers might remember her as the matriarch Angela Eckart on General Hospital

The Beatles Live at Carnegie Hall - Twice!

After a quick visit to Washington, The Beatles returned by train to New York City on Wednesday 12 February, 1964.

It was a public holiday (Lincoln's Birthday) and thousands of fans showed up at the station to welcome them back.

The Beatles then performed twice at Carnegie Hall (7:45 pm and 11:15 pm) and each time about 3,000 (mostly female) fans showed up.

They also received a gold disc from Swan Records because they sold one million copies of She Loves You. Incidentally, they met Shirley Bassey backstage. Later in her career she would cover The Beatles 4 times: Hey Jude, Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday and Something.

The Beatles Live at the Washington Coliseum

50 years ago on Tuesday 11 February 1964, The Beatles were due to appear at the Washington Coliseum.

Because of a heavy snow storm, Murray the K advised Brian Epstein to travel by train from New York to Washington instead of catching a plane.

They all travelled on the Pensylvania Railroad express train in a carriage that was aptly named "The King George".

When they arrived in the capital, they were greeted by approximately 2,000 fans (Murray the K. claims there were 10,000, but in those weather conditions it was already a miracle that 2,000 fans braved the wintery conditions).

The Beatles then went to WWDC, which was allegedly the first US radio station to have ever played a Beatles record.

In the evening they played a set at the Washington Coliseum, together with Jay & the Americans, The Righteous Brothers and Tommy Roe (whom they knew from the old days).

They performed 12 songs: Roll Over Beethoven, From Me To You, I Saw Her Standing There, This Boy, All My Loving, I Wanna Be Your Man, Please Please Me, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Twist And Shout and Long Tall Sally.

This was also the night that they were pelted for the first time with Jelly beans (after George had told a newspaper that he liked them).

The Beatles on CBS - Tonight on The Night That Changed America

If you have the possibility to tune in on CSB tonight, February 9, 2014, then you are in for a treat!

CBS is celebrating the 50th anniversary of that wonderful evening on February 9, 1964 when The Beatles took the state on the Ed Sullivan show.

Historians generally agree that this performance was a milestone in US popular culture, and probably changed the way youth culture was perceived in America.

During the CBS "The Night that Changed America" extravaganza, you will have the chance to see Paul, Ringo and Dhani perform some of the most memorable Beatles tunes.

The tribute concert in Los Angeles features for example Ringo Starr performing "Matchbox," "Boys" and "Yellow Submarine" and then Paul McCartney and band will come on and do "Magical Mystery Tour," "Birthday," "Get Back," "I Saw Her Standing There," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "With A Little Help From My Friends" (with Ringo on vocals of course), and "Hey Jude" (with Ringo on drums). Dhani Harrison (George's son) also performed with Jeff Lynne and Joe Walsh

The Most Important Night in Television

Yes, this is it. 50 years ago to the very day, The Beatles changed the way popular music was perceived.

Many historians have called 9 February 1964 at 8pm the most important night in Television. The Big Bang of Rock 'n' Roll. A giant leap for mankind...

At that exact moment, Ed Sullivan addressed the American audience (73,000,000 in a time when there was only one TV set in the house...if there was a TV set!) and shouted: "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles".

Goosebumps everywhere, and many kids thought "I want to be a rock 'n' roll singer", just like Pat DiNizio of the New Jersey rock band The Smithereens.

Often people still remember where they were when Kennedy was shot. But do you know where you were when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show, singing five songs: All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There, I Want to Hold Your Hand

Where were you on February 9th, 1964 around 8pm?

Many people still remember where they were when JFK was shot in Dallas. Or for the younger generation: where they were when they heard about the deaths of Lady Di/Kurt Cobain/Michael Jackson.

But who remembers the Ed Sullivan show of February 9th, 1946? The "Night that Changed America" as it is sometimes called. The night when The Beatles appeared for the first time on an American show and 73,000,000 (almost 40% of all Americans at that time) sat in front of their TV set to watch the Fab Four from Liverpool, England perform 5 songs.

So, here is my question to you all: where were you? Did you get the chance to see it live?

The Beatles in America - The US Albums

On 7 February 1964 , the Beatles set foot on American soil for the first time . They were greeted by the cries of many ecstatic fans. Two nights later, millions of viewers in the United States ( 9.74 ) and Canada plugged into CBS to watch the Beatles make their debut on American television as guests of the Ed Sullivan Show. The four musicians played five songs for one of the most watched television event in history. Beatlemania already at its peak in the United Kingdom , the phenomenon is spreading like wildfire across America and around the world. The British Invasion has begun.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this turning point in the history of culture in the United States, Apple Corps Ltd. / Capitol Albums release "The U.S. albums" on January 20, 2014. The box is a collection of 13 Beatles albums published overseas , from '' Meet the Beatles ! ''  in 1964 to '' Hey Jude '' in 1970 . The albums published in America differ from those available in the UK at the time. They are distinguished by their tracklist for example , title or cover .
The albums are remastered in mono and stereo , with the exception of '' The Beatles ' Story '' and '' Hey Jude '' , which are only in stereo. The CDs , which are faithful reproductions of the original LPs in their cases , are accompanied by a luxurious 64-page booklet of photos and promotional images of the time. It is also possible ( for a limited period ) to get the albums individually.
At the end of 1963, Beatlemania had already surfaced in the United States . U.S. radio played Beatles  songs to meet the incessant demands of listeners. It was then that Capital Records hurried to release the single'' I Want To Hold Your Hand '' on December 26 , three weeks in advance. Over one million copies sold in 10 days. In January 1964 the record company published the single '' Please Please Me '' and '' Meet The Beatles! '' , The first Beatles album signed by Capitol . It remained on the singles top U.S. charts for seven consecutive weeks and the album had sold over 3.5 million copies in the United States.
Upon arrival on the continent , the Beatles are followed everywhere, the media have to follow their every move. Ed Sullivan commented on the event: '' New York  has never been the same enthusiasm as that generated by these four boys from Liverpool , The Beatles '' . After appearing on the show , Ringo , Paul, John and George gave their first concert in the country in Washington DC before an audience of 8,000 people.
In April of that year , 12 titles of Beatles appear in the top 100 of the Billboard singles , a unique performance.
The Beatles are now the most famous band in the world and the favorite of many fans. Beatlemania has become a global phenomenon. Preaching respect for everyone, peace and love, the Fab Four have entered into the heart of people all over the world.
Exactly 50 years after the first performance of The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show, a special evening of two hours will be devoted to this event. On this occasion , many guests will play the Beatles songs . '' The Night That Changed America '' will be broadcast in high definition on CBS 5.1 format this Sunday, Feb. 9 .

The Beatles are Number One in America with I Want to Hold Your Hand

Today (although some source claim that it was on 15 January) on 17 January 1964 The Beatles received news that their latest single, "I Want to Hold your Hand" reached the top spot in the American charts.

The charts we are talking about were called the "Cash Box Chart" and the single (their first one for Capitol Records) jumped from position 43 to number one.

The news was particularly exciting because the Beatles were scheduled to tour America only three weeks later. This assured an increase in the bookings.

Coming Soon: The Beatles U.S. Albums box

Great news for all Beatles fans: mark 20 January 2014 in your agenda! Because on that day Apple will release the Beatles The U.S. Albums (13 CD Box) To mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles US invasion, The Beatles release a set of all the original US albums in a collectors box. All albums will feature a faithful reproduction of the artwork and packaging of the original vinyl albums. Both the mono and stereo recordings of each album will be featured on the discs. This beautiful collection will be accompanied by a 64 page booklet.

PLEASE PLEASE ME / ASK ME WHY is released in the USA

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the first Beatles single in the USA: PLEASE PLEASE ME / ASK ME WHY.

Recent research claims that Vee-Jay Records even released it a bit earlier, on February 7 1963, but as always with this kind of "legends" it is difficult to find out where the truth lies.

Fact is that Capitol Records turned down the right to release this, as did Atlantic. Vee-Jay Records had a tradition of releasing "rejected" singles (they had a big hit with Frank Ifield's I Remember You, and according to Wikipedia Dick Biondi, a Chicago DJ had the honour of being the first one to play a Beatles song on American radio.

The single, catalog number 498, is very much sought after, since the first pressing contains a typographical error: The Beattles (with double "t".

About 7,310 copies were sold, making this a very rare collector's item.