The Beatles took their first steps on American soil on Feb. 7, 1964, before their ground-breaking performance on the Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964. Take a look back at the British Invasion, which sent America into a state of Beatlemania.
They’re here! The Beatles arrived at Kennedy Airport in New York for the very first time to thousands of screaming fans on Feb. 7, 1964.
A throng of screaming fans was on hand to greet The Beatles as they stepped triumphantly off their plane at Kennedy Airport from London for the first time on Feb. 7, 1964.
This fan certainly rose to the occasion, pushing her way through the crowds to get a good view of The Beatles on Feb. 7, 1964.
Look who has arrived! Paul, Ringo, George and John were greeted at Kennedy Airport in New York by a swarm of press and fans at the start of their 10-day tour on Feb. 7, 1964.
Everywhere The Beatles went, thousands of screaming, crying and fainting fans followed during their 10-day tour in the U.S. Here, fans await a chance to see the Fab Four outside the Plaza Hotel on Feb. 11, 1964.
A frenzy of mass hysteria broke out when thousands of Beatles fans ran against traffic to the Plaza Hotel in New York City where The Beatles were staying during their first trip to New York City in 1964.
Viewed by 73 million people, The Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” was the single most significant moment in pop music 56 years ago on Feb. 9, 1964. Here, the Fab Four chat with the host himself. The historic show marked the beginning of the Beatles’ first U.S. 10-day tour.
Almost show time: The Beatles surround Ed Sullivan in a huddle during a rehearsal for their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Feb. 9, 1964.
The police were out in full force to restrain Beatles fans as they clamored to cheer on the British musicians on Feb. 8, 1964.
The Beatles (minus a sick George Harrison) were overwhelmed by the view of the New York City skyline seen from Central Park in February 1964. George missed out on a day of fun and instead rested a sore throat.
Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney couldn’t contain their excitement when they arrived at Central Park in New York City.
Baby you can drive my … carriage! Paul, John and Ringo checked out Central Park for the very first time in style on a horse drawn carriage! George Harrison’s trip to America got off to a bad start, however. The guitarist stayed at the hotel to nurse a sore throat.
The Beatles achieved gold album status from Capital Records when the band was awarded a Gold Record at the Plaza Hotel by the president of the label Allen Livingston on Feb. 10, 1964.
Beatles fans piled into Carnegie Hall on Feb. 12, 1964. The Beatles played two concerts there in one day.
Doing what they do best, The Beatles took to the stage at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 13, 1964, for a rocking performance during their trip to New York City.
Screaming Beatles fans pushed against barriers outside Carnegie Hall on Feb. 12, 1964.
Welcome to Beatlemania! Flocks of fans awaited The Beatles at Penn Station in New York City on Feb. 12, 1964.
Police restrained eager Beatles fans at Penn Station on Feb. 12, 1964.
It wasn’t all work and no play: Ringo Starr danced the night away with singer Jeanie Dell at the Headline Club.
Holding up signs (and barely holding in their excitement), Beatles fans crowd the Plaza Hotel hoping to meet their favorite musicians.
Next stop, Washington D.C.! The Beatles hit the road as they left for the capital during their 10-day tour.
Cry, baby, cry! The arrival of The Beatles in the U.S. proved just too much for one fan, who could barely contain her emotion.
The very thought of The Beatles made this teenage fan weak at the knees! 17-year-old Eileen Hartnett was lifted by cops to the hood of a car after she fainted outside the Plaza Hotel while waiting to greet the Beatles in New York City.
She said what? Ringo Starr, 23, John Lennon, 23 and George Harrison, 20, all gathered around Paul McCartney, 21, while he took a call at the Plaza Hotel.
Drummer Ringo Starr of The Beatles hopped in an elevator in the Plaza Hotel on Feb. 9, 1964.
As The Beatles made their second American tour of the year, fans lined the rooftop at Kennedy International Airport to get a glimpse of the group before they hopped on their flight back to England on Sept. 21, 1964.
Ringo Starr (l.) and John Lennon (r.) certainly lived a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, taking the world by storm and changing music forever.
Police tried to restrain a fan, Mary Smith, as she held on to Beatles’ George Harrison on Aug. 28, 1964.
John Lennon pushed his way past fans outside Delmonico’s restaurant on Aug. 28, 1964.
I want to hold your hand! Hordes of crying fans lined the streets hoping to get a glimpse of The Beatles on Aug. 29, 1964.
George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney (l. to r.) struck a casual pose on Aug. 28, 1964.
Young female fans bid goodbye to The Beatles as they left Kennedy Airport to return to England in August 1964.
Hello Goodbye! The Beatles waved to their fans who lined the rooftop of Kennedy Airport to see the Fab Four off before they flew back to England on Sept. 21, 1964.
These teenage fans screamed at the top of their lungs to get the attention of The Beatles at Kennedy Airport during their second tour in 1964.
The Beatles rehearsed for another appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Aug. 14, 1965.
A crowd of more than 55,600 screaming fans showed up on Aug. 15, 1965, to see The Beatles play Shea Stadium. Some besotted teenagers fainted and cried.
Help! More than 55,600 people attended the Shea Stadium concert on Aug. 15, 1965, making it the largest Beatles concert up to that time. Fans with varying emotions lined the stands as they watched the band take the stage performing a set including “Twist and Shout,” “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “Help.”
It was considered the largest Beatles concert up to that time: More than 55,600 people were in attendance to watch the Fab Four take to the stage at Shea Stadium on Aug. 15, 1965.
No doubt overcome by The Beatles, this teenager was carried away by police after fainting during their concert at Shea Stadium on Aug. 15, 1965.
Beatles fans crowded the Warwick Hotel in Manhattan to wait for their idols on Aug. 14, 1965. Some carried signs professing adoration for their favorite members.
The Beatles were all smiles while meeting the press at the Warwick Hotel on Aug. 14, 1965.
Young fans entertained themselves with some dancing outside the Warwick Hotel on Aug. 14, 1965.
The Beatles arrived at Kennedy Airport to a bunch of screaming fans armed with banners in August 1965.
Beatles fans had to be held back by a cordon of police at Kennedy Airport in August 1965.
