The Beatles: 50th Anniversary of The First U.S. Concert

We’re approaching the 50th Anniversary of the first Beatles appearances on United States soil… in February, 1964. While we all know about the “Ed Sullivan Show” TV appearance, most Americans may NOT know that the Beatles’ first public concert performance was right here in Washington D.C. The concert, at Uline Arena, took place on February 11, 1964… and WMAL is celebrating that event’s 50th Birthday!

Listen for our series of WMAL News features as we approach the 11th, and then join Brian Wilson, Larry O’Connor, and a variety of guests during a special edition of our “Mornings On The Mall” show on Tuesday morning, February 11th, from 5am to 9am.

Fox’s James Rosen In Studio About His Love of The Beatles: Fox’s James Rosen and huge Beatles fan joined WMAL in studio to talk about The Beatles anniversary today. [read more-click here] Rolling Stone’s David Wild Talks About The 50th Anniversary of The Beatles Rolling Stone’s David Wild shared what it was like to be backstage at The Beatles reunion on the 50th Anniversary of the Ed Sullivan performance. [read more-click here] Mike Love of The Beach Boys Talks About the Legacy of The Beatles Beach Boy Mike Love joined WMAL to reflect on the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles. [read more-click here] Fox 5’s Tony Perkins Tony Perkins – Fox 5 anchor – talked about his love for Beatles and his special program tonight on the Beatles anniversary. [read more-click here] Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits joined WMAL to talk about the 50th anniversary of The Beatles performing in DC. [read more-click here] Paul & Ringo, Joe Walsh, Eurythmics & More Perform Beatles Songs on “Grammy Salute” Tribute Some of rock and pop music’s greatest artists came together for a CBS special on Sunday night that celebrated The Beatles’ historic first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. [read more-click here] Ed Sullivan’s Publicist Bernie Ilson Talks About Selling The Beatles to America Bernie Ilson – former publicist for Ed Sullivan Show and author of Sundays with Sullivan talks with Brian and Larry. [read more-click here] Beatles Music Returns to the Washington Coliseum Fifty Years After Their First U.S. Concert On the night of Feb. 11, 1964, The Beatles performed their first concert on U.S. soil in front of 8,000 euphoric fans at the Washington Coliseum. To commemorate the anniversary of The Beatles’ first U.S. performance, the D.C. Preservation League will host a concert at the Coliseum on February 11. [read more-click here]
	WMAL Beatles Feature Reports (click to listen) WMAL’s Bill Thompson speaks with Beatles historian Larry Kane WMAL’s Bill Thompson on The Beatles’ first U.S. Concert WMAL’s Rachel Sutherland on a tribute concert marking the anniversary of the show WMAL’s Nicole Raz asks “Who’s your favorite Beatle? – What’s your Favorite Beatle song?” WMAL’s John Matthews on The Beatles’ first time on U.S. Radio
History The Beatles appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and then were scheduled to fly to Washington for their first American concert. However, a major East Coast Snowstorm caused all flights to be cancelled. So, the Beatles – accompanied by their entourage and press – boarded a train and headed for the nation’s capital.When the train arrived at Union Station, there were as much as eight inches of snow on the ground, and several thousand crazed fans cheering and pushing toward the group and their travelling party. After giving a press conference, the group visited the old WWDC-AM radio, which had been the first station in the U.S. to play a Beatles record. The group then travelled to the Shoreham Hotel before moving on to the arena, at that time called the “Washington Coliseum,” for the evening concert.Among the opening acts scheduled were The Chiffons, but the snow kept them away from D.C. Instead, the Opening Acts for the show were Tommy Roe, Jay & The Americans, and The Righteous Brothers. Attendance was reported to be about 8,000 screaming fans and The Beatles took the stage at 8:31pm. Their entire set consisted of twelve – yes, 12 – songs. Click here for the Set List.The Beatles attended a post-concert party at The British Embassy, and returned to New York the following day for their SECOND U.S. appearance, at New York’s Carnegie Hall.