February 11, 1964.. The Beatles' First Legendary US Concert

February 11, 1964: the Beatles performed in the United States for the first time. 50 years on and we return to the scene -- a DC boxing ring -- with the photographer who immortalized the legendary concert.

Published

12 months ago

Categories

Arts & Society, Entertainment

Topics

Arts & Culture, Celebrity, History, Music

People

Paul Mc Cartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

Places

United States of America, New York City, New York, Washington, D.C.

Transcript

SCRIPT: It was right here that Mike Mitchell snapped this picture of the Beatles in 1964. The Fab Four were playing their first ever public concert in the US capital at this venue - the Washington Coliseum. UPSOUND - Mike Mitchell "The stage was right out there, square, the size of a boxing ring." After making their US television debut in New York, the Beatles headed for Washington under heavy snow for a sold-out performance.. 8000 fans packed in the unheated boxing arena for a 30-minute concert that would make history.. Naomi Banks was one of the first to enter the venue - she lived just across the street from the Coliseum. SOUNDBITE 1 Naomi Banks (woman), spectator at the 1964 Beatles Coliseum concert (English, 19 sec): "I just wanted to see the Beatles, just wanted to take a glimpse at the Beatles, that was my thing. // These young kids, that had this new-found look with the hair.. When they said Washington Coliseum, I'm thinking - I live across the street from that, I must see this, get a chance to see this, first time in the United States, I thought that was great." The venue will hold a tribute concert for the show's 50th anniversary, hosting a band who will play the original 12-song set list. Mike captured some of the most dramatic images of the 1964 concert - he was 18 at the time, and 50 years on still can't believe his luck. SOUNDBITE 2 Mike Mitchell (man), photographer at the 1964 Beatles Coliseum concert (English, 21 sec): "And I'd sometimes be down like this to get out of the way of the other guys that were there, but sometimes, I've seen this from the footage that was shot that night, I was actually just sitting and taking it all in, because it was.. it was the Beatles, it was already the Beatles." But after years of service as an ice skating rink and boxing arena, doubled with a as well as an occasional concert hall, the venue fell into disrepair - and serves today serves as a parking garage. The upcoming concert will in fact be the Coliseum's swan song before undergoing a major transformation. SOUNDBITE 3 Rebecca Miller (woman), Executive director of the DC Preservation League (English, 13 sec): "After the anniversary concert, the building will be turned into a mixed use of office and retail space, and the U-Line arena, a portion of the building will actually have floors put into it, and office space will be put in there." But even with as the Beatle's first concert venue is set to disappear, the legendary band was awarded a lifetime achievement Grammy award this year… Proving that their musical legacy is here to stay. SHOTLIST: HANDOUT PHOTO FROM MIKE MITCHELL SOURCE: MIKE MITCHELL / COURTESY OF DCPL NO RESALE FOR NON-EDITORIAL PURPOSES -Still image of the Beatles during their 1964 concert at the Washington Coliseum WASHINGTON DC, JANUARY 15, 2014 SOURCE: AFPTV -Mike showing a picture of the Beatles on his iPad -PAN old concert seats to Mike on balcony UPSOUND Mike Mitchell -VAR of the old concert seats -MS wall with car wash prices written on it WASHINGTON DC, JANUARY 23, 2014 SOURCE: AFPTV -VAR of Naomi Banks during an interview SOUNDBITE 1 [with two cutaways of Naomi Banks] WASHINGTON DC, JANUARY 15, 2014 SOURCE: AFPTV -PAN old light to Washington Coliseum -VAR light filtering through windows -WS Mike Mitchell walking towards a car SOUNDBITE 2 [with three still images of the Beatles - source Mike Mitchell / Courtesy of DCPL - NO RESALE FOR NON-EDITORIAL PURPOSES] -VAR exterior of the Washington Coliseum in disrepair SOUNDBITE 3 -PAN entrance of the Washington Coliseum -VAR banner promoting the Beatles' anniversary concert