After appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show shortly after landing in NYC, The Four Insects hopped on a train to Washington DC, where they made their first ever US concert appearance in 1964. The recently discovered footage of the entire show is streaming over at the Itunes store, and is required viewing for many reasons, not the least of which are….
1) You can watch the fabs move their own equipment around the stage because roadies had not been invented yet.
2) you can watch them seamlessly adapt to the many technical problems on the fly, including microphones that weren’t working.
3) Be amazed at how great the harmonies are especially with the absence of fold-back monitors.
4) Be convinced in no uncertain terms that firing Pete Best and hiring Ringo was the right thing to do. Starr is bashing the kit to death here, like one of those wind-up monkeys that clang the cymbals. Be especially aware of the side shots where you can see his right foot pounding the bass drum.
5) Witness actual filmed evidence of Lennon imitating the mentally challenged when Paul asks the audience to clap their hands and stamp their feet.
6) Paul McCartney’s right hand laying down the groove.
7) Amazing examples of early 60’s women’s eyeglass styles.
8) Watch hundreds of pre-pubescent teenage girls silmutaneously soiling themselves.
9) See how much more powerful old fashioned flash bulbs were.
10) Lennon playing rhythm guitar. Out of all his talents, this is the one that gets overlooked most. He shreds faster than a Cuisinart.