Dec. 18, 1963 - American television is showing a growing interest in the Beatles, Britain’s popular rock ’n’ roll group. A film feature on the four young men will be presented on Jack Paar’s show over NBC-TV on Jan. 3 at 10 p.m. The Beatles will come to New York for their first appearance on Ed Sullivan’s show over CBS on Feb. 9. They also will appear on the show from Miami Beach on Feb. 16. Another performance will be taped for use later in the television season. The Beatles began attracting a fan frenzy in the north of England three years ago. On Feb. 2 of this year, the Beatles opened their first British nationwide tour at a show in Bradford. Heading the tour bill was 16-year-old Helen Shapiro, followed by the other five acts – the last of which was the Beatles. One reporter wrote that “a great reception went to the colorfully dressed Beatles, who almost stole the show, for the audience repeatedly called for them while other artists were performing!” The Beatles' second nationwide tour began on March 9 at the Granada Cinema in London, where the group appeared on a bill headed by American stars Tommy Roe and Chris Montez, both of whom had firmly established themselves in the UK singles charts. Throughout the tour, the crowds repeatedly screamed for the Beatles, and the American stars were less popular than a homegrown act for the first time.
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