I'm sure you hard-core Beatlephiles realized this--- I just saw today in Andy Babiuk's book an interesting fact:
I knew that February 9, 1964 was a very significant day in Beatle history as their first appearance (in U.S.A.) on the Ed Sullivan show (I'm 58 years old and I saw that show and haven't been the same since). I hadn't realized until looking through the book, that February 9th 1961---three years to the day earlier--- was also a very significant day in Beatle history---their first show at the Cavern in Liverpool. Just one of those small coincidences of history.
Thu, February 9th, 1961: The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club at lunchtime. Although the Quarry Men had played here three years previously, this is The Beatles' first performance at the club that will become an important part of The Beatles legend. Their fee for this day's appearance is 5 pounds.
Fri, February 9th, 1962: The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club at lunchtime and then again at night. They also perform at Technical College Hall, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Sat, February 9th, 1963: On the Helen Shapiro tour, The Beatles perform at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, Durham, playing for two "houses". The first leg of the Shapiro tour is due to finish the next evening with two shows in Peterborough. But The Beatles will be replaced at Peterborough by Peter Jay & the Jaywalkers, for The Beatles have a recording session booked in London for February 11th, for the purpose of recording their first album.
Sun, February 9th, 1964: The Beatles appear live on US television, on "The Ed Sullivan Show". Before an audience of 728 screaming fans, The Beatles perform three songs at the beginning of the program, "All My Loving", "Till There Was You", and "She Loves You". During the second half, on another stage set, they perform "I Saw Her Standing There" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". During the song "Till There Was You", close-ups of each Beatle are shown, with their first names appearing on the screen for each of them. When John's picture and name are shown, there is an additional caption, "Sorry Girls, He's Married". Watching The Beatles were 73 million Americans, the largest US television audience for one show up to that time. That had to have been gratifying to the advertisers whose ads bracketed The Beatles' two sets: Aero Shave, Anacin, Kent, and Pillsbury. Earlier that morning, while The Beatles were rehearsing for their TV appearance, George Harrison was missing, suffering from a sore throat. To help the cameras set up for all four Beatles, Neil Aspinall stood in George's place during the rehearsal. That afternoon, George back in full swing, The Beatles taped their third appearance on Ed Sullivan's show, for broadcast by Sullivan on February 23 (after The Beatles had returned to England). The performance was taped before a live studio audience, with The Beatles performing "Twist and Shout", "Please Please Me", and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". It was surely somewhat bizarre for The Beatles, who had yet to appear on Sullivan's show, to hear their host introducing their "3rd performance" during the taping, Sullivan saying "All of us on the show are so darned sorry, and sincerely sorry, that this is the third and thus our last current show with The Beatles, because these youngsters from Liverpool, England, and their conduct over here, not only as fine professional singers but as a group of fine youngsters, will leave an imprint on everyone over here who's met them." In addition to this show's first broadcast on February 23, it was repeated on the Sullivan show on August 23. "The Beatles Anthology 1" includes "All My Loving" from the first Sullivan show (Disc 2, Track 9).
Thu, February 9th, 1967: The Beatles in the recording studio (Regent Sound Studio, Tottenham Court Road, London). The first Beatles recording session outside of Abbey Road studios since the Beatles signed their recording contract with EMI. They record 3 takes of "Fixing A Hole".
And lets not forget the famous Litherland Town Hall gig on Dec 27th 1969 which is (arguably) the start of British Beatlemania from those 5 lads from Liverpool: John, {Paul, George, Pete, and Chaz. Dec 27th... 2 + 7 = 9. Wow, absolutely amazing.
And how about Ringo's offical debut as a Beatle, August 18th 1960, Horticultural Society Dance, Port Sunlight, Birkenhead. 1 + 8 = 9 !!!!
Brian Epstein visited the Cavern for the first time on Nov 9th 1960 !!!!
The Beatles signed a management contract with Brian Epstein on Jan 24th, 1960. 2 + 4 = 6. plus 4 Beatle signatures makes 10.... BUT Brian never signed the document, so 10 - 1 = 9. HOLY COW!
Also remember "T H E B E A T L E S" contains 10 letters, but if we take the 4 names of John Paul George and Ringo, and SUBTRACT the 5 names of former band mates Pete, Stu, Chaz, Jimmy, and Tony Sheridan, that give a minus 1..... 10 - 1 = 9. AMAZING!!!!!
Did you know that in the first 9 days of 1963, the Beatles played 9 gigs? How freeky is THAT!
And when the Fab Four appeared on Ed Sullivan I was 10 years old... BUT minus a year for the stunted growth received at the hands of my older sisyer and SHAZAM!!!!, there's that magical number again.
