It Was 50 Years Ago Today - The Beatles Arrive In The U.S. - 92 Y, NYC, 2.6.14
by Michael Sherer
Posted: Mar 2014
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- photo by Michael Sherer
92 Y hosted a terrific tribute and dialog concerning the Beatles’ 50th anniversary of arriving here in the U.S., via NYC, for the first time. The format was a panel discussion, which was moderated by Martin Lewis. Lewis is a protégé of former Beatles publicist Derek Taylor, and has been connected to the group since ’67 in several capacities.
The premise was to probe the global cultural impact that the Beatles, formed in Liverpool, England in ’60, have had since breaking through in a big way 50 years ago. This coincided with their first trip to the States, including their first and by far most important stop being NYC to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. The theater that this occurred at was the former CBS Television studio located on Broadway at 53rd Street. It has been the home for CBS’s David Letterman Show for over twenty years.
Several people that were intertwined with the group to varying degrees were on hand to offer their thoughts and experiences regarding the issues at hand. One was Peter Asher. London born and bred, Asher headed A&R for the Beatles’ Apple Records between ’68 and ’70, where he signed and produced James Taylor’s debut and only record for the label. Asher would go on to produce and manage Taylor for decades. He’s also the brother of Jane Asher, who was seriously involved with Paul McCartney during the ‘60’s. He’s a musician and singer himself, being half of the popular duo Peter & Gordon.
Also featured was Freda Kelly, who at 17, became Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s secretary when she came to his attention while attending many lunchtime gigs of the band at Liverpool’s Cavern club. As the group’s newly formed fan club was soon catching fire, Epstein recruited Kelly to run it. Called “Good Ol’ Freda by everyone within the Beatles camp, Kelly became very close to them all. Originally from Ireland, Kelly moved to Liverpool as a youngster and has never left.
Liverpool born and bred musician and singer Billy J. Kramer was another guest. Epstein first came into contact with Kramer in ’62 while he was in a Manchester group called the Dakotas. Kramer was signed to a recording contract by record producer George Martin, who would produce Kramer as well. Kramer and the Beatles became friends, with Lennon and McCartney writing many songs for Kramer.
Vince Calandra was present as well. Calandra was on the production team for the Ed Sullivan Show when the Beatles first appeared on it in ’64. 29 years old at the time, Calandra was the person most involved with the Beatles’ rehearsals and preparation for the show. He stood in for George Harrison for this while Harrison was resting from a flu. Calandra was also associate producer for the Beatles’ television taping of their ’65 concert at Shea Stadium, as it was Sullivan’s production company that was behind it.
A Q & A with the audience occurred at the end, which capped off a most interesting and candid dialog concerning a phenomenon known as the Beatles. While the early mania that they incited made them prisoners of their own fame for a good couple of years, they represented a gilded sign post of the ‘60’s youth revolution that pointed toward freedom, hope and change for the vast young populace that occupied its collective driver’s seat. This event at the historic 92Y brought all this to bear, loud and clear.