Photos: The Beatles' 1964 debut on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'

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Photos: The Beatles' 1964 debut on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'

It's the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 9, 1964, which officially kicked off Beatlemania in the U.S.

In this Feb. 9, 1964, file photo, Ed Sullivan, center, stands with The Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney, during a rehearsal for the British group's first American appearance, on the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964, and officially kicked off Beatlemania.

The Beatles are shown on the set of the "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York in February 1964. In back is John Lennon; the others, from left to right, are: George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.

This February 1964 file photo shows the Beatles' Paul McCartney on the set of the "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York.

In this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo, The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr on drums, George Harrison and John Lennon, perform on the CBS "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964, and officially kicked off Beatlemania.

In this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo, The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr on drums, and John Lennon perform on the CBS "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964, and officially kicked off Beatlemania.

In this Feb. 9, 1964 file photo, Paul McCartney, right, shows his guitar to host Ed Sullivan before the Beatles' live television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964, and officially kicked off Beatlemania.

In this 1964 file photo, the Beatles' Ringo Starr plays drums on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York.

British rock band the Beatles are shown during rehearsals on the set of the "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York on Feb. 9, 1964. On drums is Ringo Starr, bassist is Paul McCartney, left, and guitarist is John Lennon.

British rock band the Beatles are shown during rehearsals on the set of the "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York on Feb. 9, 1964. On drums is Ringo Starr, bassist and singer is Paul McCartney, and standing in for George Harrison is Neil Aspinall, the Beatles' road manager.

Harry Benson photographed the Beatles during their watershed "Ed Sullivan" performance on Feb. 9, 1964. "After the show there was still the nervous tension from being on stage," Benson has said. "Back in the hotel they crashed in (manager Brian Epstein's) protective presence, trying to unwind, away from the loud confusion of the screaming fans."

American TV host Ed Sullivan, left, talks with three members of the British pop group The Beatles during a rehearsal for their appearance on his TV show, in New York, Feb. 8, 1964. From left, Sullivan, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. George Harrison, the fourth member of the group, missed the rehearsal due to illness.

American television host Ed Sullivan smiles while standing with British rock group the Beatles on the set of his television variety series in New York on Feb. 9, 1964. Left to right: Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Sullivan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney.

American speed skating champion Terry McDermott, top center, a barber by trade, prepares to take a swipe at the famed locks of Beatle Paul McCartney, seated, to the mock horror of the other Beatles and TV host Ed Sullivan during rehearsals at the TV studio in New York on Feb. 9, 1964. From left, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, McDermott, Ed Sullivan and John Lennon.

A crush of fans who want to see The Beatles at the Paramount Theater for a benefit show during the band's first visit to New York, during which they also appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and played two concerts at Carnegie Hall in February 1964. Half a century ago this week, the Beatles arrived in New York and changed popular culture and dozens of concerts, exhibitions, discussions, books and albums are documenting what happened in 1964.

Beatles fans watch their heroes perform on the "The Ed Sullivan Show" in February 1964.

The Beatles make a windswept arrival in New York in this Feb. 7, 1964, file photo as they step down from the plane that brought them from London to Kennedy airport. From left to right, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

Harry Benson traveled from London to New York City with the Beatles on Feb. 7, 1964. "I was behind the four Beatles when we disembarked and I had asked them to wave up at me for a picture," Benson recalls in his 2003 book, "Once there was a way..." "They almost forgot but Ringo remembered and made them turn around."

The Beatles wave at the crowds gathered below their hotel room at the Plaza, shortly after arriving in New York on Feb. 7, 1964.

The Beatles appear on a television monitor during a rehearsal in New York for their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 9, 1964.

Broadway star Georgia Brown performs with the cast of "Oliver!" during "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 9, 1964 – the same night the Beatles debuted on American television. At right is fellow cast member and future member of the Monkees, Davy Jones.

The comedy duo of McCall and Brill also performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Feb. 9, 1964, but were overshadowed by the debut of another act, the Beatles.

Ed Sullivan dons a Beatle wig during a visit by the Fab Four to his show.

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In this Feb. 9, 1964, file photo, Ed Sullivan, center, stands with The Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney, during a rehearsal for the British group's first American appearance, on the "Ed Sullivan Show," in New York. The Beatles made their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," America's must-see weekly variety show, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 1964, and officially kicked off Beatlemania.

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