Here’s to the first 50 years of “Beatlemania”– on this the anniversary of the so-called British invasion, the band’s debut U.S. performance– February 9, 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Even long after the two surviving members are gone, The Beatles will no doubt live on strongly and timelessly!
Consider this an introduction to Beatlemania for millennials. For those who’ve seen this ’60s footage before, it’s a nostalgic blast from the past, but for others, it’s more likely a fascinating first glimpse of the incredible craze surrounding the Beatles when they were just around Justin Bieber‘s age.
“My impression of these guys was that they were like four high school kids,” said LIFE photographer John Loengard, who took the iconic photo of John, Paul, Ringo and George in a Miami Beach swimming pool in 1964. “You know, they had beards, sort of — like when you first start having to shave, but aren’t quite sure how to do it.”
Ed Sullivan had never heard of the Beatles until he saw them surrounded by crowds at a London airport in 1963, but he was quick to book them for three appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show for a grand…
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