Beatlemania Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Salisbury, MD – Four sharp looking men in their matching Edwardian suits, step on stage to sing live for the first time in America. Seventy-three million people were glued to their television sets to see the Ed Sullivan Show, and the band who would pave the way for rock n’ roll. “Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you,” the band sang as the crowd cheered, and bounced in their seats. The British invasion was here!

Fifty years later, CBS is commemorating the Beatles on one of the most historic moments in music and television. Premiering exactly to the day, date and time of the original event, “The Night that Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles,” will air February, 9 at 8 p.m. The night will include two of the original Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Star. Also, Beatles songs performed by Alicia Keys, John Legend, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Maroon 5 and many more.

CNN will also be airing a 10-episode documentary produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, called The Sixties. The series will begin with the Beatles and focus on other British bands. A one hour special aired Jan. 30, however, the full program will begin in May.

If the television specials aren’t enough to fill your Beatles craving, “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles,” will play at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. This stunning Broadway production is a live multi-media spectacular that takes you on an unforgettable musical journey through the life and times of the world’s most celebrated band.

The story of Rain begins with keyboardist Mark Lewis, and a group of four other musicians originally named “Reign.” Becoming popular in California during the 70s, the band was in demand to sing Beatles songs. A big break came when Dick Clarks asked them to sing for the movie Birth of the Beatles.

Mark your calendars for the “next best thing to seeing the Beatles,”

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.wicomicociviccenter.org