Things were bound to change when The Beatles came to America from Liverpool, England.  History was made one night, 40 years ago in 1964, when seventy-three million viewers tuned into the Ed Sullivan Show to watch The Beatles perform for the first time, in America.

   When it all started, there was 17 year old John Lennon who called his band, The Quarrymen.  This was in 1957 when they performed in Liverpool for free.  Paul McCartney  soon came along, showing his talents like nobody ever did... playing his guitar upside down and left handed.  Paul's 15 year old friend, George Harrison, who was amazing at the guitar, soon set The Beatles to a 3 member group.

   This all took place five years before they were a complete band.  They changed their name in 1960 to The Silver Beetles and played all around the United Kingdom.  The Beatles finally came along when they were in Hamburg on their first German tour.

   The band was on the verge of breaking up but John refused.  He kept the band together in one piece until they got to Liverpool for their first gig.  Brian Epstein, the manager who paved the way to a huge future that nobody could have imagined, was at The Cavern.. where The Beatles made their first night time appearance.

   Soon after, in 1962, the band was set when the fourth member joined.  Ringo Starr fell into the puzzle.

   The first single The Beatles recorded was, "Love Me Do," but the record producer just didn't seem to enjoy Ringo as much and called in Andy White to play the drums.  The song was not left without Ringo though, he was the amazing tambourine player in the background.

   For the year of 1963 in Great Britain, there is only one way to describe it, Beatlemania.  This was the year that four No. 1 hits came out: "Please Please Me," "From Me To You," "She Loves You," and "I Want To Hold Your Hand."  The two albums, Please Please Me  and With The Beatles  were at the top of the charts.

   February 6, 1964 is when it all happened.  The Ed Sullivan Show had seventy-three million people tuned in, never forgetting what they saw that night.  It was that Sunday night that parents didn't know what had hit them, but for the kids, it was just a love at first sight.  

The Beatles were there returning all of the love that America had for them.  Barely catching a breath, The Beatles had to be set for launching A Hard Day's Night, their first movie filmed in just six weeks.  They had five top singles by the end of April, there was no stopping them.

   In eight months, they hit 25 cities, with girls fainting left and right for them.  This band, that came to America in 1964, changed the world forever and will never be forgotten.

- Top -- John Lennon -- Paul McCartney -- George Harrison -- Ringo Starr -