“January 19, 2am. It was two in the morning, just me and the Beatles in John’s room. They were in their night clothes, they‘d ordered up food and whiskey, and Brian Epstein came in. He had big news "I want to hold your hand" had just made it into the charts in US. They erupted in cackles. They were beaming. Then he put the icing on the cake. "And next month we’re off to America. You’re going to be on The Ed Sullivan Show". The song had just entered the Billboard 100 at number 45. (By February 1, it would be number one). So I saw my opening. I suggested they celebrate with a pillow fight-like the one George had mentioned to me before. John immediately shot it down. "No. It’ll make us look silly” But I kept my eye on John, who started slinking off. And just as I lifted my camera, John sneaked up behind Paul and pow, whacked him in the head with a pillow. Paul’s drink went flying and they were off”
~ Harry Benson
Yes it was 60 years ago that the Beatles first arrived in USA, and the rest as they say is history.
Harry captured the prequel to all this madness and mayhem in their Paris Suite and produced one of the most celebrated and coveted music images ever.
