60 Years of Beatlemania

The Fab Four's U.S. debut on The Ed Sullivan Show six decades ago was a landmark television event that further fueled the hysteria surrounding the band

- MANDY TAHERI

THE BEATLES' PAUL MCCARTNEY, George Harrison, John Lennon and drummer Ringo Starr are all smiles as they chat with show host Ed Sullivan after making their television debut in America 60 years ago.

On February 9, 1964, the Fab Four drew a record-breaking viewership of over 73 million people on The Ed Sullivan Show more than 60 percent of all TVs on in America at the time, according to Nielsen. Every seat in the New York City studio was spoken for too, with the audience of over 700 including then-former Vice President Richard Nixon's teenage daughters, Tricia and Julie.