As Pan American flight 101
made its way across
the Atlantic
ferrying The Beatles to America . . .
the city of their destination was just beginning to come to life .
Friday, February 7, 1964
Friday, February 7, 1964
 |
| SUNRISE OVER NYC 1964 |
The airport formerly known as Idlewild, which had been renamed John Fitzgerald Kennedy (today often referred to as JFK), on December 24, 1963 in honor of the slain president, was also coming to life.
The Pan American Terminal was open for business, and a few patrons were enjoying coffee and breakfast at the restaurant located inside.
All across New York, teenagers were preparing for school and tuning their transistor radios into their favorite top 40 station.
A FEW SONGS THAT WERE PLAYING:
 |
| DIANE RENAY |
Renowned record producer, Bob Crewe, co-wrote and produced Diane Renay's, "Navy Blue," which was aggressively climbing the charts and would soon peak at #6.
Diane Renay would never place another song in the top ten.
Diane Renay would never place another song in the top ten.
TO LISTEN TO "NAVY BLUE" click this link:
 |
| JOHNNY TILLOTSON |
Johnny Tillotson was enjoying his fourth top ten hit with, "Talk Back Trembling Lips." Released in September of '63, this record had peaked at #7 and was now making its way down the charts.
This would be his last top ten hit.
TO LISTEN TO "TALK BACK TREMBLING LIPS" click on this link:
 |
| CHUBBY CHECKER |
With an amazing eight top ten records (two of which were #1) and six that had reached the top 20; Chubby Checker had ruled the charts since 1960.
His latest recording, "Hooka Tooka," released in November of '63, would peak at #17 the following day (February 8, 1964).
This would be his seventh and last record to make the top 20.
This would be his seventh and last record to make the top 20.
TO LISTEN TO "HOOKA TOOKA" click this link:
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| CONNIE FRANCIS Connie Francis had been the reigning queen of the Billboard Charts since she first muscled her way onto them in 1958 with, "Who's Sorry Now?" |
Within days of Kennedy's assassination a song called,
"In The Summer Of His Days," was performed by Millicent Martin on a British television show as a tribute to the late president.
On December 2, 1963, Connie Francis recorded a version of
the song, and it was released to the public.
Initially it charted reasonably well, but soon many stations across the U.S. began to refuse to play the record, claiming that it was inappropriate and an effort to capitalize on the tragic event.
The record ultimately stalled at #46.
Connie's days as 'Queen of the Billboard Charts' were over.
Connie's days as 'Queen of the Billboard Charts' were over.
TO LISTEN TO "IN THE SUMMER OF HIS DAYS" click this link:
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| THE MURMAIDS |
Comprised of two sisters and a friend, The Murmaids had an enormous hit with, "Popsicles, Icicles," which was written by David Gates, who would later become the lead singer of the group Bread. The song peaked at #3 in January, 1964.
The Murmaids would never be heard from again.
The Murmaids would never be heard from again.
TO LISTEN TO "POPSICLES, ICICLES" click this link:
 |
| BOBBY RYDELL |
A steady and consistent hitmaker since 1959, Bobby Rydell was on his way down the charts with, "Forget Him," which had peaked at #4 on January 18, 1964.
He would never place another record in the Billboard Top Ten.
TO LISTEN TO "FORGET HIM" click this link:
******************************
As the morning progressed . .
Passengers were arriving . .
Airline crew members reported for duty . .
Little did JFK Airport know, over four thousand young people and more than two hundred reporters were making their way to the International Arrivals Building.
They would be on hand to greet Pan American flight 101
when it arrived at 1:20 p.m.
They wanted to
MEET THE BEATLES !
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