40th Anniversary Of Beatles American Arrival Saturday
Grammys Will Honor First Ed Sullivan Appearance Sunday
POSTED: 4:15 p.m. EST February 6, 2004
It may seem like yesterday to some, but it will be 40 years ago Saturday that the legendary lads from Liverpool first stepped foot on American soil.
Enroute from England to New York, Paul McCartney remembers the pilots had called ahead and found out about the huge crowd waiting to greet them. He said they didn't expect anything like that and they thought, "Wow, we've really made it!"
Ringo Starr said he felt like it was a sci-fi movie, with a big octopus pulling the plane out of the sky and into America.
The anniversary of their appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" is Monday and
George Harrison had said he heard there was no reported crime when they were on the show, because even the criminals took a rest.
The 40th anniversary celebration promises mixed emotions for fans: McCartney's iconic co-songwriter John Lennon was shot to death in December 1980 at age 41 and Harrison was 58 died in November 2001 of cancer.
A newly released DVD of their first trip, called "The Beatles: The First U-S Visit," features the only film made of them backstage and in hotel rooms during that period.
A special segment honoring The Beatles first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" is also planned for Sunday night's Grammy celebration in Los Angeles.
According to the organization, the tribute will feature 15 Grammy winners including Sting, Vince Gill, Dave Matthews and Pharrell -- who is nominated for several Grammys this year.
The Grammys honored The Beatles last month as well, as the group's 1970 No. 1 hit "Let it Be" was one of 33 new songs enshrined in the Grammy song Hall of Fame. A song must be at least 25 years old to be considered for the honor.
Enroute from England to New York, Paul McCartney remembers the pilots had called ahead and found out about the huge crowd waiting to greet them. He said they didn't expect anything like that and they thought, "Wow, we've really made it!"
Ringo Starr said he felt like it was a sci-fi movie, with a big octopus pulling the plane out of the sky and into America.
The anniversary of their appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" is Monday and
George Harrison had said he heard there was no reported crime when they were on the show, because even the criminals took a rest.
The 40th anniversary celebration promises mixed emotions for fans: McCartney's iconic co-songwriter John Lennon was shot to death in December 1980 at age 41 and Harrison was 58 died in November 2001 of cancer.
A newly released DVD of their first trip, called "The Beatles: The First U-S Visit," features the only film made of them backstage and in hotel rooms during that period.
A special segment honoring The Beatles first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" is also planned for Sunday night's Grammy celebration in Los Angeles.
According to the organization, the tribute will feature 15 Grammy winners including Sting, Vince Gill, Dave Matthews and Pharrell -- who is nominated for several Grammys this year.
The Grammys honored The Beatles last month as well, as the group's 1970 No. 1 hit "Let it Be" was one of 33 new songs enshrined in the Grammy song Hall of Fame. A song must be at least 25 years old to be considered for the honor.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
