How Did the Beatles First Get Airplay in the U.S.?

The Beatles' first breakthrough in the United States came through a twist of fate and a change of heart at Capitol Records, facilitated by the company's executive Alan Livingston. Despite Capitol Records being owned by The Beatles' UK record company, EMI, Livingston had previously rejected all of The Beatles' singles as unsuitable for the U.S. market.

Livingston's most noteworthy accomplishment at that time was agreeing to release The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" for Capitol in 1963. This decision came after some persuasion and a reassessment of the band's potential by Livingston and other Capitol executives.

In December 1963, Carroll James, a DJ at WWDC in Washington, D.C., played "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on the air after receiving a copy from a flight attendant who had heard the song in Britain. The response from listeners was overwhelmingly positive, and demand for the record quickly grew.

Upon its release in the United States, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" quickly gained traction and captured the attention of American audiences. The song's infectious melody, catchy hooks, and energetic performance by The Beatles struck a chord with listeners across the country.

To promote the single, Capitol Records employed various marketing strategies, including sending promotional copies to radio stations and arranging for appearances on television programs. However, it was the support of influential radio DJs, such as Murray the K and Carroll James, that helped to generate buzz and airplay for The Beatles' music.

Following the success of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" in Washington, D.C., and following the release of the U.S. single in January 1964, other radio stations across the country began playing The Beatles' music, sparking a wave of Beatlemania that swept across the United States. The Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 further solidified their popularity and cemented their status as international superstars.