The Night 73 Million Americans Watched the Beatles
On February 9, 1964, four young men from Liverpool changed American music in one evening.
On February 7, 1964, the Beatles landed at New York's newly renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport. Thousands of screaming fans were waiting. At their first press conference, the band's quick jokes charmed the reporters.
The Ed Sullivan Show
Two nights later, they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. An estimated 73 million people watched, about a third of the country's population, one of the largest television audiences up to that time.
What they played
They opened with All My Loving and closed with I Want to Hold Your Hand, which was already No. 1 on the American charts. Many future musicians later said that night made them want to start a band.
Beatlemania
Within weeks, the Beatles held the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time, a record that stood for decades.
Ed Sullivan had booked them after seeing crowds of fans at London's Heathrow Airport. It turned out to be one of the best decisions in television history.
This story is based on the stars' own interviews and memoirs and on widely reported history. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
