Wednesday, February 5, 1964
Last updated on February 5, 1964
On February 5, 1964, The Beatles returned to London Airport from Paris, where they had spent three weeks performing two and sometimes three shows a day at the Olympia Theatre. Upon arriving at London Airport, the group were greeted by crowds of fans and held a press conference, where they spoke about their imminent trip to the United States — now just two days away. News had already reached them in Paris that ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand‘ had reached number one in America, transforming what had been an uncertain first US visit into one of the most anticipated arrivals in popular music history.
We knew we were going to America when we were in Paris and we were all excited, but when we heard ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ had gone to number one there, it was incredible. We thought: this is it, it’s happening.
Paul McCartney – From “The Beatles Anthology”, 2000
The Beatles departed for New York on February 7, 1964, flying Pan Am Flight 101 from London Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The Beatles Diary Volume 1: The Beatles Years
With greatly expanded text, this is the most revealing and frank personal 30-year chronicle of the group ever written. Insider Barry Miles covers the Beatles story from childhood to the break-up of the group.
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