Beatlemania was the name given to describe the ecstatic, female-led fan culture surrounding the Beatles between 1963 and 1966. The term first circulated throughout British media in late 1963 and was used in order to capture the teenage excitement that followed the Liverpool band as they toured the UK. This “mania,” whether witnessed in Newcastle or Portsmouth, was attributed to screaming girls who assembled anywhere the Beatles performed or appeared. Young women reacted passionately to the Beatles’ energetic “Merseybeat” style of rock ‘n’ roll and found the band’s softer, masculine style irresistible. The early Beatle image of “Mop top” hairstyles, matching bespoke suits, and chunky, Cuban heel boots further exemplified the band’s perceived sensibilities. The global fervour of Beatlemania was unprecedented and set the tone for all subsequent music-based fan cultures.
Beatlemania exploded internationally as a result of the group’s televised performances on the AmericanEd Sullivan Showin February 1964, the first of which on February 9th garnered a record-breaking 73.9 million viewers. Sold-out tours throughout North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region soon followed. While the Beatles did not disband until 1970, the Beatlemania era of their career ended with a final stadium concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966.
Beatlemania’s origins stem from the fanbase that developed around the Beatles in their hometown of Liverpool. The Beatles were popular, regular performers at the city’s Cavern Club and played there 292 times between 1961 and 1963. The Beatles’ frenetic sets — combining rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, pop standards and Lennon and McCartney originals — captivated their audiences. Many girls found the band members attractive and often chose a “favourite Beatle.” Whether it was rhythm guitarist John Lennon, bassist Paul McCartney, lead guitarist George Harrison, Pete Best (the band’s original drummer), or Ringo Starr (who replaced Best in 1962), female fans often vyed to secure a space near the stage in the hopes of requesting songs or making eye contact. The band’s talent and charisma eventually caught the eye of local businessman Brian Epstein, who became the Beatles’ manager in January 1962. It was through Epstein that both a record contract with EMI was secured and, later, the pivotalEd Sullivan Showappearance was scheduled.
The Beatles’ music was a departure from that of previous pop acts as all the group’s singles were written by band members. The songwriting team of John Lennon and Paul Mccartney produced a string of number one hits. Though their first British number one single, in late February 1963, was “Please Please Me,” it was “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” that epitomised Beatlemania in Britain, America and beyond. Both songs’ lyrics emphasised dating and courtship (which appealed to girls), foregrounded vocal harmonies, and contained memorable, visceral hooks — like the unified “yeah-yeah-yeahs” and “oohs” of “She Loves You” and the hand claps and repetitive “I can’t hide” of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” While “She Loves You” is the song most associated with British Beatlemania, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” both marked the first time a British rock group topped the US Billboardcharts and launched the Beatles’ career stateside.
