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Beatlemania invaded American culture when
the Studebaker Avanti was nearing the end of the production
period. If you were driving an Avanti in 1963-64 there's a good
chance you were listening to early Beatles songs on your radio.
Avanti production ended in December 1963 and the Beatles performed
on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time 2 months later. The
Beatles would later promote Coca Cola and in 1997 end up in
a coke themed exhibit with the Avanti at the British "Design
Museum."
October 5, 1962 The group releases their first single, Love
Me Do. Brian Epstein reportedly buys 10,000 copies to ensure
it a place in the top 20.
February 11, 1963 Please Please Me, their first album,
is recorded in a 10-hour session, and released on March 22nd.
February 16, 1963 Please Please Me becomes the Beatles'
first number one single in England
October 13, 1963 The band appears on the TV show Sunday
Night at the London Paladium. Several weeks later they perform
at the Royal Variety Show.
November 22, 1963 The release of their second album, With
the Beatles.
Febuary 9, 1964 Their performance on America's Ed Sullilvan
show is seen by an estimated 73 million people.
April 4, 1964 Beatles records occupy the first five spots
on the American singles chart. 1 to 5 are: Can't Buy Me Love,
Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand and
Please, Please Me.
July 6, 1964 A Hard Day's Night, directed by Richard Lester,
premieres in London. The film is a fictional day in the life
of the fab four, and garners rave reviews.
July 10, 1964 Album number three, A Hard Day's Night, a
soundtrack to the film.
August 18, 1964 The band begins their second tour of America.
Mass Beatlemania ensues. |
A famous Beatles photo from the era.
The Beatles and Coca-Cola™
An Avanti at the Design Museum in 1997
faces a poster of the Beatles. |
