Written by Brian Powers, Reference Librarian, Downtown Main Library
Music culture in America changed when a British band taking the world by storm appeared live on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964. The Beatles would later visit Cincinnati at a sold-out Cincinnati Gardens during their first American tour in August 1964.
Explore the history of Beatlemania taking over the United States with a video of historian Mark Lewisohn speaking at the Downtown Main Library and borrowing selected materials featuring Beatles history.
Beatles History in Cincinnati
In 2015, Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn visited the Downtown Main Library after learning of the Library’s extensive periodical collection – including bounded magazines in print.
He preferred to research with print magazines rather than digitized versions to see what else was happening at the same time as the Beatles event.
After publishing his first volume on the Beatles, “Tune In - The Formative Years of The Beatles,” Mark spoke at the Downtown Library. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Beatles arriving in the U.S., we’ve published this recording of Mark’s visit.
Explore More Beatles History
Check out these items all about the Beatles – including books about their visit to America and works by Mark Lewisohn.
Lost Cincinnati Concert Venues of the '50s and '60s
The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring the Beatles
The Complete Beatles Chronicles
What's your favorite Beatles song? Let us know in the comments below!
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