Achieving success in America had always been our ultimate goal. During our youth, we looked up to American icons like Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, and James Dean. Even the music we listened to was predominantly American. Although there were a few British bands, they were greatly influenced by American musicians. Without artists like Elvis, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and The Everly Brothers, The Beatles would not have existed.
I still remember the pressure and anticipation surrounding our first trip to the U.S. Many people back home were cheering us on because it was a monumental achievement for a British band to reach the number one spot in America. It might have seemed overwhelming for four young lads, but in reality, we were just a group of playful guys who found joy in each other’s company no matter where we went or what we did. I believe this camaraderie is evident in the photos I captured.
The frenzy and chaos that started on that wild Friday afternoon in 1964, also known as “Beatlemania,” caught us completely off guard. Even now, when I look at those pictures, I am still amazed by it all. The immense reception of fans and press at JFK Airport was just the beginning; the rest of the trip became even more chaotic.
During the airport press conference, the American reporters seemed obsessed with our hair and asked if we were planning to get haircuts. George humorously replied that he had just gotten one the day before. It still brings a smile to my face. Once they realized that we weren’t intimidated by them, they enjoyed bombarding us with questions, and we gladly played along. There was one journalist who always asked the same question: “What are you going to do when the bubble bursts?” It became an inside joke, and we playfully answered, “Well, we would go pop!”
The photos clearly show fans chasing us and waving excitedly as we drove through the streets of New York. In the car, we discovered WABC, one of the city’s most influential Top 40 stations, on our portable radios. They were announcing things like “The Beatles are now in town!” Murray the K, a famous DJ from WINS station, quickly took a liking to us. We found him amusing, and his bold New Yorker persona resonated with us. While staying at the Plaza Hotel, the staff was overwhelmed by all the commotion, with photographers from unknown magazines and newspapers lining the crowded corridors, desperate for exclusive shots. Some adventurous fans even tried to sneak into our rooms.
The photographs from our time in New York capture the frenzy that followed our arrival in the city. One particular picture shows a rowdy crowd chasing us down West 58th Street, between the Plaza and Avenue of the Americas, as I snapped the shot out of the car’s rear window. We also did a photo shoot in Central Park, and I had my camera with me, capturing close-ups of people taking pictures of me. It’s evident from the photos how cameras were constantly surrounding us. These images contrast with the ones taken in our hotel suite, which reveals moments of genuine vulnerability and tranquility.
When I reminisce upon these photos, it’s the trivial details that stick with me the most. In the UK, we were accustomed to wearing a pancake makeup called Leichner. However, for The Ed Sullivan Show, the makeup artists decided to heap on layers of orange makeup. We were skeptical at first, but they assured us that it was necessary because the show was broadcast in black and white. And they were right! We ended up looking orange, but on the show, it wasn’t noticeable that we were wearing makeup.
As I watch that first Ed Sullivan Show performance now, I am struck by how much fun we were having. After advertisements for Aero Shave and Griffin Liquid Wax shoe polish, we played three songs: “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” and “She Loves You.” Later in the show, we performed “I Saw Her Standing There” and finally “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” That night, The Ed Sullivan Show attracted an audience far greater than usual, with 73 million viewers, surpassing the entire population of the UK. It was an exhilarating time.
This article has been adapted from Paul McCartney’s book “1964: Eyes of the Storm” and appears in the July/August 2023 print edition with the title “I Saw You Standing There.” When you purchase a book through the links on this page, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.
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