OK, here's the 3rd and final anniversary event I'll mention. 50 years ago today the Beatles played their first concert in the US, for about 8000 screaming fans at the Washington Coliseum, just northeast of the US Capitol Bldg. Their first song was Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven." The stage was completely surrounded by seats, because it was designed as a boxing ring. The Beatles turned their set around 180 degrees halfway through so no one would be staring at their backs the whole concert.
The Beatles took the train down from NY during a snowstorm in DC, and one of the opening acts - The Chiffons - cancelled because of the bad weather. (In the 1970s The Chiffons sued George Harrison for allegedly plagiarizing "My Sweet Lord" from their song "He's So Fine.")
The Coliseum still exists but is rundown and mostly used as a parking garage. It's been fixed up a little for an anniversary concert tonight by a Beatles tribute band.
The Beatles took the train down from NY during a snowstorm in DC, and one of the opening acts - The Chiffons - cancelled because of the bad weather. (In the 1970s The Chiffons sued George Harrison for allegedly plagiarizing "My Sweet Lord" from their song "He's So Fine.")
The Coliseum still exists but is rundown and mostly used as a parking garage. It's been fixed up a little for an anniversary concert tonight by a Beatles tribute band.