'We're Going to See the Beatles!' : An Oral History of Beatlemania As Told by the Fans Who Were There

“We're Going to See the Beatles!" presents the story of Beatlemania in America as experienced by their most devoted fans. “We're Going to See the Beatles!" includes anecdotes from those who cheered the group as they arrived at Kennedy Airport in 1964, who kept vigil for them outside the Plaza Hotel, and who sat in the studio audience of The Ed Sullivan Show for the band's landmark first live TV broadcast. Other fans detail what it was like to see the Beatles in one of their rare concerts at such famous venues as Shea Stadium and Candlestick Park. From the earliest whispers about the band to the Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show , and from their subsequent tours and albums to their breakup, author Garry Berman has collected stories from the fans who witnessed the hysteria firsthand. Contributors from around the United States also share photographs and mementos to help create a richly detailed and entertaining oral history. What emerges is a highly personal account of the Beatles and their incredible impact on music and popular culture. Comprised of fans' anecdotes, photographs, personal stories, and mementos, the contributors' stories reconstruct the entire history of Beatlemania in America, dating from the earliest whispers about the group to The Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, and from the breakup to the present day. The stories range from hilarious to compelling and poignant, one group of friends stole maid uniforms in an attempt to sneak into the Plaza Hotel during The Beatles' first visit to New York, one fan camped out overnight in front of a movie theater in order to be the first to buy tickets for the premiere of A Hard Day's Night, and another attended a strict Catholic school but was so devoted to the group that she declared out loud to her class that she would rather see The Beatles than the Pope. What emerges from these stories is a richly detailed and entertaining history of the profound impact that The Beatles and their music had on their fans' personal lives, an effect that continues to be meaningful to this day Presents The Collected Stories From The Fans Who Experienced Beatlemania Firsthand. Many Still Can't Explain The Hysteria Of Their Fandom: It Was Something That Just Came Over Us.. Early Rumblings -- The First Invasion -- A Hard Day's Night -- The 1964 Tour -- The Shea Stadium Concert/1965 Tour -- The 1966 Tour -- The End Of Touring And The Middle Period -- The Apple Years -- The Break-up And Solo Years -- The Original Fans Today -- Reflecting. Garry Berman ; Foreword By Sid Bernstein ; Preface By Mark Lapidos. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 284).