The National Capital Radio & Television Museum Commemorates Beatles' First US Interview

It was a significant moment in music history: on February 11, 1964, just two days after captivating the nation on the Ed Sullivan Show, a young British band known as the Beatles were preparing for their inaugural concert in the United States at the Washington Coliseum. Before the show, they participated in their first US radio interview, conducted by Caroll James, a DJ for WWDC, notably recognized as the first person to play the Beatles on American airwaves.

60 Years On: Honoring the Fab Four's Legacy

The event's 60th anniversary is being marked by a special mini-exhibit at the National Capital Radio & Television Museum located in Bowie, Maryland. This exhibit titled 'The Beatles' First US Radio Interview' aims to take visitors on a nostalgia-rich journey to the dawn of Beatlemania. The centerpiece is the original microphone used during the iconic WWDC interview, an item that was generously donated by a collector in the previous year.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

The museum is well-suited for such a tribute, with a collection that focuses on chronicling the evolution of broadcast and electronic media, paying homage to significant moments within the DC-Baltimore area. At the exhibit, a fully functional 1955 television set is featured, which provides attendees the ability to peruse through a triad of 'channels.' These channels display a collection of photos and audio clips from the Beatles' 1964 US visit: their historic WWDC radio interview, the energizing Washington Coliseum concert, and their groundbreaking performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Interested in delving deeper into the Beatles’ first foray into American fame? The museum offers tours with knowledgeable docents who can share more about the Liverpool quartet’s legendary trip across the Atlantic.

Beatles, Exhibit, History