Holding their hand as Beatlemania swept the States

An insider’s account of the Beatles’ American invasion

IF February 1964 seems like forever ago, especially to those of us who were around then, all one has to do is hear the opening power chords of ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, and a bolt of magic instantly connects us to that time — the very same magic that brightened the otherwise bleak winter in the shadow of the assassination of John F Kennedy just five weeks before.

‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ was the tailwind that propelled the Beatles into America 50 years ago this month. It was their first US No 1 hit (26 more would follow, still a record), reaching the top of the charts on February 1 and staying there for nearly two months.