The Beatles-Part 2: Beatlemania

By Annika

In March 1963, the Beatles released their first album, Please Please Me, came out and reached number one on the British charts. Their iconic "drop-T" logo also made its debut in 1963. During this year, their popularity grew, and a frenzy called "Beatlemania" spread. Before shows, the Beatles were met by screaming fans. To control them, Police had to use high-pressure water hoses. Even in the British Parliament they had to discuss the problem, because the fans were a big risk to the policemen protecting the Beatles. One witness described it as a "scene similar to a shark-feeding frenzy."

At first, American record companies didn't want to release the Beatles' albums. Private record companies released several singles. Initially, they didn't go over so well. Americans ridiculed the Beatles because of issues with the British royalty and the Beatles' signature "mop-top" hairstyle.

After a news segment on Beatlemania, the demand for Beatles in the US greatly increased, and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was released in December 1963. But when the Beatles left for their US debut in February 1964, they were nervous about how they would be received. When their plane landed, and estimated three thousand fans came to meet them. Two days later, they gave their first live US television performance, which was viewed by 74 million people... at the time, that was over 40% of the American population! They toured America, and started their international tour in June, and Beatlemania spread even further.

In the summer of 1964, the Beatles starred as themselves in a "mockumentary" called A Hard Day's Night, which was very successful.

A year later, a second movie with the Beatles, Help!, was released. McCartney said "Help! was great but it wasn't our film—we were sort of guest stars. It was fun, but basically, as an idea for a film, it was a bit wrong.