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Chapter 4
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  • They appeared on three consecutive shows in February 1964
    • The Beatles themselves didn't think they would pull it off
      1. Lennon pointed out that others before hadn't made it
      2. Ringo stated that they were conquering entire countries outside of England
        • Sweden, France, Spain, and Italy
        • These countries were not as substantial or challenging as America
      3. The nationally televised show would get them the exposure needed to succeed in the United States
      4. Their Capitol release of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was the current number one song in the United States
    • Ed Sullivan took a gamble in booking them
      1. Made the decision after seeing a huge crowd welcoming them at Heathrow airport
      2. Booked them for three consecutive shows as headliners
        • February 9
        • February 16 was broadcast live from Miami
        • February 23 (their segment had been taped on February 9 to be shown at this time)
      3. All of the other performers on the shows were family entertainment style performers
        • Comedians
        • Broadway cast performance of selections from Oliver! (including future Monkee Davy Jones)
        • A magician
        • An Olympic athlete
        • The Beatles were a stark contrast to the rest of the show
      4. They appeared twice on the first two shows—once in the first half and returned on the second half
    • The songs played on February 9, 1964
      1. First half
        • "All My Loving"
        • "'Til There Was You"
        • "She Loves You"
      2. Second Half
        • "I Saw Her Standing There"
        • "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
    • The songs played on February 16, 1964
      1. First half
        • "She Loves You"
        • "This Boy"
        • "All My Loving"
      2. Second Half
        • "I Saw Her Standing There"
        • "From Me to You"
        • "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
    • The songs broadcast on February 23, 1964
      1. "Twist and Shout"
      2. "Please Please Me"
      3. And, for the third time, "I Want to Hold Your Hand"
  • The significance of the Beatles' appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show
    • For American youth and their culture
      1. This signaled that rock and roll was now an international phenomenon
      2. The hysterical reaction of the audience proved that something totally new had arrived
      3. This phenomenon emphasized the generation gap between youth and their parents
    • For adult parents
      1. Most were simply shocked at what they were seeing
      2. Points 2 and 3 above apply here as well, only from the adult point of view
    • For adult parents
      1. It is locked into history as an iconic moment in time, signaling that a change had just occurred
      2. 73 million people watched it happen
      3. It is on the same level as the Kennedy assassination or the Apollo 11 moon landing
        • Anyone who was capable of comprehending it cannot forget it
      4. By the following April (6 weeks later) the Beatles had the top 5 singles on the pop charts
      5. That accomplishment has never been equaled


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