This is the definitive, fully illustrated account of
the Beatles’ concerts and controversies, and of how the United States dominated their
lives in so many ways.

Written by one of the acknowledged experts on the Fab Four, Liverpools own Spencer Leigh, The Beatles in America covers their North American tours in 1964, 1965, and 1966, highlights their transformation into global superstars, and recount the story to the band’s breakup, covering significant events like John and Yoko’s “Bed-In” in Montreal and the release of their single “Give Peace a Chance,” providing a comprehensive overview of “the Beatles in America.” Included are interviews with fellow musicians, promoters, and audience members, together with rare photographs and memorabilia.

Early in 1964, with Beatlemania raging in the UK, the Beatles topped the US charts with I Want to Hold Your Hand and became a sensation on American TV with The Ed Sullivan Showon which they appeared no fewer than three occasions, on consecutive Sundays in February 1964. InApril of that year, they held all Top Five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and were playing such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Shea Stadium.

As predicted, they had become bigger than Elvis. After their first appearances of 1964 (at Carnegie Hall and in Washington, DC), The Beatles went on to do a full North American tour in 1964, a shorter tour in 1965, and a final, 13-date tour in 1966 (each of which is covered in detail in this book), transforming them into global superstars. But when John Lennon commented that the band was bigger than Jesus, things turned sour, and there were public burnings of their records.

The final chapter and epilogue of the book take the story of the Beatles in America up to the bands breakup and beyond, including John and Yokos June 1, 1969, Bed-In in Montreal and the release of the couples single Give Peace a Chance.By Spencer Leigh and Edited by Mike EvansSpencer Leigh was born in Liverpool in 1945. His On
The Beat program has been broadcast on BBC Radio
Merseyside for 30 years, and he has contributed to
several BBC music documentaries. He writes obituaries
for the British newspaper The Independent, and
features for several magazines including Country Music
People, Now Dig This, and Record Collector. A musician on the Liverpool rock scene in the 1960s,
playing the Cavern and other venues made famous by
the Beatles, Mike Evans witnessed firsthand the rise
of the Fab Four from local heroes to international
superstars. In the 1970s he was a regular contributor to
Melody Makerand in 1984 curated The Art of the
Beatles exhibition that was staged in Liverpool, Tokyo,
and Cologne, also writing the highly acclaimed book of
the same name.270 color and b/w photosThe Stories, the Scene, the Memories270 color and b/w photos