#197 The Beatles, 'Meet the Beatles!' (1964)
Previously #53
What you’re about to read might seem fantasy, but it’s completely true; Beatles manager, Brian Epstein, and their producer, George Martin, spent the better part of 1963 begging the head of EMI, Sir Joseph Lockwood, to release Beatles records in the States. He didn’t want to for whatever reason, probably because British music never translated well in the States. You read that correctly – the head of The Beatles’ label refused to entertain the idea of releasing their music in the States because he just wasn’t that confident about it. Finally in November, he sent a deputy to L.A. to start making plans to release their music there. Thus far, The Beatles albums had had 14 tracks on them a piece (including covers). In The States, 12 was a more accepted number of tracks on an album in 1964. Also, the band’s current hit, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand,’ was a single that hadn’t been included on any album. Albums in the States needed the current hit to sell the record. What was ultimately decided was to ditch 5 of the 6 cover songs from ‘With The Beatles,’ add ‘I Saw Her Standing There,’ the first single from their debut record, as well as current hit, ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ and its B-side, ‘This Boy.’
The album debuted at #92 on the charts. Maybe Lockwood was right? (Of course, we know he wasn’t). Two weeks later, it shot to #1 on the charts thanks to their historic performance on the Ed Sullivan Show). The album would remain there for 11 weeks, only to be replaced by ‘The Beatles’ Second Album.’ We know what happened next. The Beatles became the biggest band in the world and the US did, in fact, meet The Beatles. As a little sidenote, the 11th track on the album, ‘I Wanna Be Your Man,’ which was sung by Ringo, was penned by Lennon and McCartney for The Rolling Stones. As it so happened, Lennon and McCartney ran into Jagger and Richards on the street. The Stones duo mentioned that they were struggling to find a hit, and so McCartney and Lennon offered to write them one. It was written that afternoon in the corner of the room as The Stones watched on. It did, in fact, become a success for the band, peaking at #12.
#rs500albums