From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964
‘U.S. Rocks and Reels From Beatles’ Invasion’
CHICAGO — The usually staid and conservative Midwest has virtually flipped its wig over the mop-headed Beatles from Liverpool.
Dealers describe Beatlemania as the most virulent form of record fever since the heyday of such artists as Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.
Even then, neither Presley nor the Everlys had more than one record going for them at one time. Currently, the Beatles have no less than four singles and three albums.
Record store are filled with different forms of Beatles promotion material than often defy the imagination. Even the discount houses, traditionally slow to use point of sale material from any ony one diskery, even they have gotten on the bandwagon.
Radio Promotion
Radio likewise are running radio promotions, and in all cases, playing the records like mad.
WLS, the big singles-selling powerhouse, has had a pair of promos by its two evening deejays, Art Roberts and Ron Reilly, and is in the throes in starting a Beatles’ fan club.
WYNR, the big McLendon Corporation rocker, has been pushing Beatles’ records despite a recent station policy switch to an otherwise R&B format.
Even WIND, the MOR Westinghouse outlet, last Friday (February 7) decided to add a Beatles’ record to its playlist (“She Love You” on Swan).
The university radio station at nearby Notre Dame played “I Want To Hold Your Hand” for one hour straight last week and students responded by storming the studio en masse (though whether in approval or protest, no one was able to confirm otherwise).
Jim Lounsberry, king of the teenage hop-specialists here, planned a Beatles Dance for his Sunday hop in Elgin, Illinois, and was placing television sets around the hall so the kids could see the Beatles during their history-making appearance on CBS’ Ed Sullivan show.
Only the so-called “good music” stations were turning a deaf ear to the Four Charmers from England but with the way Beatles’ records were selling, nobody really seemed to care.
Capitol branch manager Tom Beckwith said he had moved over 100,000 Beatles’ LP’s and over 150,000 Beatles singles. He said in the ten years he’s been in the record business, the Beatles are the hottest recording artist he’s ever seen. END
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(Information and news source: Billboard; February 15, 1964)
