On Saturday, February 8, 1964, the day before the Beatles’ much anticipated appearance on East Harlem‘s Ed Sullivan the NYC weather was blustery, the landscape bleached of essential color.
That morning, with George staying in the room nursing a sore throat and fever, John, Paul and Ringo dodged a mob of bundled-up admirers, who shrieked at the sight of their shaggy-haired idols.
A thicket of blue-uniformed NYPD police, fighting to hold back the crowd, picked up limp, seemingly lifeless girls who had collapsed in delirium and slung them over shoulders to safety.
The Beatles weren’t particularly interested in the standard New York sights—the Empire State Building, the U.N., Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty. Their destination was a more meaningful shrine. John wanted to “cruise past the Apollo Theater,” Paul recalled, where so many of the Beatles’ idols had debuted.
There was little romance, however, in the Harlem that the Beatles encountered. By the early 1960’s, Harlem had lapsed into an “impoverished ghetto,” its streets a warren of blighted tenements. Race relations in general were at an all-time low, and you could feel the residual backlash in Harlem’s restless pulse. Everywhere there were people jostling on the sidewalk, spilling out of bodegas, jackknifing through traffic.
Suddenly they turned onto a wide boulevard, 125th Street, and the Apollo loomed right in front of them. tonight!—the marvelous Marvelettes! read the marquee – they were tempted.
The same with the specialty record shops that beckoned from every corner: salsa, soul, gospel, jazz, doo-wop, R&B, R&B, R&B. The Beatles, tempted by such offerings, had to restrain themselves from making innumerable stops. As it was, they barely made it back for the start of their mid-town Ed Sullivan Show rehearsal.
The fab three ended up grabbing something to eat at Sherman’s Barbeque at West 151st Street and Amsterdam Avenue with East Harlemite Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes at Sherman’s in Central Harlem.
This story was adapted from the 13 Beatles Albums and 4 Compilations Now Free to Stream Online from, when the Beatles visited Harlem.
Find out more about The Beatles Invasion, by Bob Spitz.
Recent Posts
- Sponsored Love: Luxury Villas In Dubai For Families, What To Look For
- Seafood And Superfoods: The Ultimate Healthy Pairings
- Should I Rent Or Buy My Wedding Suit?
- Harlem Alumni Fund Local Students: Community Scholarships Boost Elementary School Futures!
- Sponsored Love: How Creative Printing Tools Like Tattoo Printers Are Revolutionizing Creativity
- Sponsored Love: Epitomize Your Workspace And The Ultimate Guide To Custom Mouse Pads
- Sponsored Love: How AiEssayGenerator Is Revolutionizing Academic Writing With AI Technology
- Sponsored Love: On-Trend Floral Arrangements For Stylish Miami Weddings
- How Midjourney AI Is Revolutionizing Creative Processes For Designers, Artists, And Marketers
- Sponsored Love: Local Physiotherapy Services, Ensuring Access To Quality Care In Castle Hill And North Rocks
- Sponsored Love: Expert Scoliosis Care, From Louisville To Florida
Become a Harlem Insider!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
