For The Beatles, coming to America meant success

Three people who knew The Beatles well -- Peter Asher, Pattie Boyd, and Mick Jones -- talk about the band's early years and what it meant to make their U.S. debut. Anthony Mason hosted the panel as part of the CBS News live event, "50 Years: The Beatles," at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Feb. 9, 2014, the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' first U.S. performance.

[@lindastjohn5007]

Patti is still as beautiful and charming as she was in the Beatles day!!

[@sicocongcobo1984]

I wish I was there, what a memorable moment in history

[@Susie196921]

Thank you for posting this video, I found it fascinating.

[@jchow5966]

This is an amazing video. Thank ypu for posting this.

[@oswaldocollazo196]

LONG LIVE THE FAB FOUR- THE BEATLES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@frankyoung7497]

The Beatles were the best band ever anywhere at any time. They symbolised what was best about the 60s, it was always "bright confident morning". i still mourn the deaths of John and George and I hope Paul and Ringo forever

[@shagwellington]

Hard to believe Paul couldn't have afforded his own place yet but this was when they were ready to explode in popularity. Wow, had no idea Paul wrote Peter and Gordon's best hit! Such genius. I wonder how many other hits he wrote that the Beatles didn't perform?

[@usuk9316]

It's different in UK.

[@webbess1]

That's what blows my mind about the Beatles. Lennon and McCartney literally gave hits away to other bands, that's how easily great ideas came to them. They actually had ideas to spare for other bands.

[@countessratzass5408]

He could afford his own place, he preferred living with the vibrant Asher family.

[@maryanneevans9563]

Paul was very much in love with Jane Asher which is why he chose to live with the wonderful Asher family.

[@bethvirginiaphillips4583]

I saw Peter at the RPI Field House in Troy in 1964 when he and Gordon Waller were part of the Brit Invasion and they were so huge...HUGE !..and exciting..as Peter's sister was going out with Paul McCartney. I remember his mop top bright orange hair, the same as Jane's. He was on the same bill as Manfred Mann (Do Wah Diddy Diddy). It wasn't the Beatles but it was pretty close. Such fantastic times..there are no words. No words at all.

[@brian5154]

Two things. I think the Beatles were known around the world before they went to the US. And whilst I agree that modern day "pop" music started in the US, but almost as soon as the Beatles became famous they went in a totally different direction which had nothing to do with early American pop music. Brian Fenwick.

[@acj2789]

Agreed. The trope that The Beatles sold American music back to America doesn't explain why so little of their own material sounded American - to me as a teenager anyway.

[@henrybyrd5402]

I must be old. I remember Patti Boyd washing her hair in an E-type convertible whilst going though a car wash in a TV shampoo ad. She was also the poster girl for "Smiths Crisps." She had a gap in her front teeth then which made her instantly recognisable.

[@marycull3607]

Henry Byrd Patti was also modelled the ponds cold cream add on tv back in the 60s.

[@henrybyrd5402]

@@marycull3607 I forgot to mention that she used a trademark lisp for the Smiths Crisps ad. "Smiths Cwithpth Pleath?" I wondered at the time if she actually spoke that way. Evidently not.

[@jchow5966]

I would not say you are old. I would say you are lucky.

[@jayceewriter7826]

Priceless

[@shagwellington]

America did take our early rockers for granted. Peter has a good point. There was an American invasion of England before the British invasion. No one talks about that.

[@debradonato408]

They The BeAtles Wouldn’t come to America Until They Had A Number 1 Song 🎼🎶🎵🎸🥁🌟☮️✝️

[@davidbruce7244]

Interesting discussion, and a great guest line up. I hope CBS does more of these. In terms of changing the direction of music, perhaps the Beatles were not as important as is often made out. Obviously they did not add paradigm shifting things to harmony and counterpoint or even in the use of instruments. Most of those things had been known about for a very long time. For sure, others did far more in those areas. But this is not to diminish their status as musicians or, more correctly, songwriters. And the latter point is the thing. Lennon and McCartney were exemplary, probably the very best, songwriters ever, and certainly they were unbeatable as a songwriting team. And as a band the four were incredible. They were also innovators in the application of recording technology. And as a social phenomenon they cannot be ignored.

[@shukhada6664]

Touche. Impeccible songwriting

[@rosaworksrosaworks9410]

Why didn't they talk to cynthia (she was alive then) she was there and cynthia would have had so much stories to tell instead of these people.

[@karispur1609]

Cynthia is still alive!

[@countessratzass5408]

Kari Spur Not on this planet.

[@shukhada6664]

People rarely considered her relevant after Yoko came into picture. I don't understand why. She was there when it all started. She knew when the end had begun. She was there when hey Jude was written. She was quite underrated

[@RustyRules426]

Cynthia has done interview after interview,singing Johns praises till her dying day. Let’s hear these people.

[@MEthistime]

More time with Patti please. Did I miss the mention that she was married to George for so long? She had the most intimate look at the band.

[@IcouldBNE1]

Peter looks like he's in his bedroom slippers.

[@bizdikbirt6809]

peter asher is cute :D

[@garfieldharrison510]

The Europeans Love holding on to the Beatles because it makes them feel good. The Beatles derived their sound like most of those groups did , even to this current day from the African Diaspora. Facts. From Elvis Presley to Justin Bieber and anyone Justin. It's just facts. Without the existence of the great African American Musicians they definitely wouldn't exist these Iconic acts. It's just facts. I'm not being racially motivated. It's just facts. They say it themselves. Elvis used to visit the church of the African Americans. Picking up the styles vocally. The problem the Beatles and the Rolling Stones couldn't believe the racism in America. They came from Britain who colonised the earth. But, they were astonished. Yes,the Beatles were songwriters particularly John Lennon,Paul McCartney and German Harrison. Ringo was a great drummer fir for that Band. Elvis Presley grear perforner. Influenced as they said The Beatles. But,they understood that if this European American made it doing Black music. Maybe they should take a shot themselves. But they did the music with heart and additional influences from folk to classic as well. That was the genius of The Beatles. I want the Americans to acknowledge that everytime they mention these Iconic figures. Little Richard and Chuck Berry was revered by these guys. A plethora of Black musicians knew where they got the style from. But,Whites tried to claim Rock'n'roll as theit own. They weren't the truth. That's why they were Humble about their success. In fact they couldn't believe it. But African Americans understood why. That's why rap and Hiphop dominated and still dominates. Because,it's unabashedly driven in your face music. That's what Rock n Roll was. He explained it correctly. They copied the music. So happy they clarified it. The Beatles brought American music back to the USA. . Notice they said American music,not African American music. Because they saw it as an American music art form. They didn't know the history of the racism against African Americans those days. At least to what depth. It probably saddened them. When John Lennon said his Jesus quote. He discovered that side of America back in 66. But, the guys stood up to the American press. That racist DJ in Birmingham read that article about his quote and told people to burn their records. Shameful display of who and where America was at the time. The guys knew then. America really has a race problem. Anyway. Long live the The Beatles for their contribution. I respect and enamor a lot of their work.

[@jeanmyers1787]

Or Pattie Boyd

[@janebrown5951]

Age is hirable

[@stephenellis2866]

nothing new here

[@davidsimpson911]

patti boyd hasnt aged well......eeeek

[@broskoone]

You should here what she said about your mug. Cut her some slack she’s 71 yrs old here.

[@rustyrules4264]

@@broskoone she’s 77

[@foxydelice333]

people age, its been almost 60 years lol. shes very naturally beautiful still, much more than your soulless, nasty comments