A History of the Beatles in 50 Photographs

Half a century ago this month, four lads from Liverpool introduced themselves on a U.S. television show and played a few songs. That was all it took for millions of music fans across the States to fall in love with the Beatles.

On Feb. 7, 1964, the Beatles arrived at newly named John F. Kennedy airport in Queens, N.Y. to a surprisingly shocking mob of screaming fans and reporters. With their mop-top hair, British humor and catchy music — John, Paul, George and Ringo were something new and fresh that Americans hadn't seen or heard before.

When the Beatles took to the stage at The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964, it was a turning point in pop culture and music history. More than 73 million people tuned in to the broadcast, confirming that 'Beatlemania' had arrived Read more...