The Beatles Meet America: An Evening with Beatles Historian Mark Lewisohn

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Before the Beatles conquered America in early 1964, they had been fascinated with this country through films and music. Beatles expert Mark Lewisohn in discussion with New York Times music critic Allan Kozinn will examine what the Beatles’s conceptions of the States were before they arrived. Lewisohn will screen highlights from movies the Beatles watched, including The Girl Can’t Help It, and videos of musicians who influenced them, notably Little Richard and Eddie Cochran. After the conversation, legendary documentary filmmaker Al Maysles will discuss his filming of the Beatles when they first arrived in February 1964.

Lewisohn has just written the first volume of his definitive trilogy on the history of the group, covering the Beatles’s formative years through 1962. His book is by far the most exhaustive study of the group’s Liverpool and Hamburg years. After the event, Lewisohn will be signing copies of his new book Tune In, which will not be officially released until October 29.

Funding for this event is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Mark Lewisohn photo: Piet Schreuders