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The Beatles U.S. Invasion Trivia Quiz

The Beatles arrived in America in February, 1964. Although they were extremely popular in England, they had not yet achieved that success in the US. They appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and the rest is musical history.

A multiple-choice quiz by jwl1009. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
jwl1009

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
367,725

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
575

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Prior to appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in February, 1964, the Beatles had already had a Billboard number one single in the United States.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What was the first song that the Beatles played on "The Ed Sullivan Show"? Hint

I Saw Her Standing There

I Want to Hold Your Hand

All My Loving

Twist and Shout

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Question 3 of 10

3. What future pop star was performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on the first night the Beatles performed? Hint

David Bowie

Phil Collins

Davy Jones

Mick Jagger

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Which Beatle was married at the time of "The Ed Sullivan Show" appearance? Hint

Ringo

Paul

John

George

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Question 5 of 10

5. Approximately how many people watched "The Ed Sullivan Show" on the first night the Beatles performed? Hint

over 70 million

over 50 million

over 10 million

over 1 billion

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The Beatles performed three shows for Ed Sullivan in February, 1964. All three shows were performed in New York City.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Following the show on February 9th, the Beatles travelled to which US city to perform their first concert in America? Hint

Los Angeles

Philadelphia

Washington D.C.

Boston

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Although this was the Beatles first official visit to the United States, which Beatle had actually first visited America in 1963 to see his sister in Illinois? Hint

John

George

Paul

Ringo

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. What celebrity sent a congratulatory telegram to the Beatles, which was mentioned by Ed Sullivan during his introduction? Hint

Elvis Presley (and Colonel Tom Parker)

Frank Sinatra

Buddy Holly

President Lyndon Johnson

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Prior to the first show, which Beatle was ill and could not attend rehearsals? Hint

George

Paul

John

Ringo

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Prior to appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in February, 1964, the Beatles had already had a Billboard number one single in the United States.

Answer: True

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" had reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts on February 1, 1964 - before their appearance on the show (February 9, 1964).

2. What was the first song that the Beatles played on "The Ed Sullivan Show"?

Answer: All My Loving

In their previous concerts in Paris the Beatles had consistently opened their shows with "From Me to You" - prior to that in their shows in London they opened with "Roll Over Beethoven"; it is a mystery as to the selection of "All My Loving" as their opening performance.

3. What future pop star was performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on the first night the Beatles performed?

Answer: Davy Jones

Davy Jones (the future singer for the Monkees) was a member of the cast of the play "Oliver", playing the Artful Dodger, which was performing the same night as the Beatles. He is rumored to have watched them, seen the girls screaming and thought I want to be a part of that.

4. Which Beatle was married at the time of "The Ed Sullivan Show" appearance?

Answer: John

John Lennon had married Cynthia Powell on August 23, 1962 when he learned she was pregnant. John Charles Julian Lennon was born on April 8, 1963. During the song "Til There Was You" the producers displayed their names on the screen, and next to John's name was the phrase - "Sorry girls he's married".

5. Approximately how many people watched "The Ed Sullivan Show" on the first night the Beatles performed?

Answer: over 70 million

73 million people watched "The Ed Sullivan Show" that night, which was a record at the time. 60% of all TV sets were tuned into the show. It was so popular that it was rumored that no major crime was reported in New York City between 8:00 and 9:00 that night!

6. The Beatles performed three shows for Ed Sullivan in February, 1964. All three shows were performed in New York City.

Answer: False

The second show (airing February 16, 1964) was broadcast live from the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. The third show (airing February 23, 1964) was pre-taped in CBS' studio in New York City.

7. Following the show on February 9th, the Beatles travelled to which US city to perform their first concert in America?

Answer: Washington D.C.

The Beatles performed a show at the Washington Coliseum on Tuesday February 11, 1964. Over 8,000 fans saw the show. A snowstorm on the east coast had disrupted plane travel, so the Beatles were forced to travel to Washington D.C. via a special express train.

8. Although this was the Beatles first official visit to the United States, which Beatle had actually first visited America in 1963 to see his sister in Illinois?

Answer: George

George had actually come to America in September, 1963 to visit his sister Louise Harrison Caldwell. He and his brother Peter visited New York City and St. Louis as well as Benton, Illinois where Louise lived. The other Beatles had not visited America until they landed at Kennedy Airport in February, 1964.

9. What celebrity sent a congratulatory telegram to the Beatles, which was mentioned by Ed Sullivan during his introduction?

Answer: Elvis Presley (and Colonel Tom Parker)

Colonel Parker and Elvis had sent the telegram to the show congratulating the Beatles. The Beatles had been shown the telegram signed by Elvis and the Colonel prior to the show - to which George replied "Elvis who?"

10. Prior to the first show, which Beatle was ill and could not attend rehearsals?

Answer: George

George had tonsillitis and was unable to attend rehearsals. He also did not attend the photo shoot from Central Park the previous day. During rehearsals, road manager Neil Aspinall took his place on the set, although he did not play guitar.

Source: Author jwl1009

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ralzzz before going online.
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