‘Please Please Me’ had first been released as a single in America on 25 February 1963 but failed to make an impact. To cash in on the success of ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ and in anticipation of The Beatles’ first US visit, Vee-Jay re-released the single on 3 January 1964.
The first time Vee-Jay released ‘Please Please Me’ it had ‘Ask Me Why’ as the b-side, as with the UK release. This time, however, it was coupled with ‘From Me To You’.
The single was a smash hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending 14 March 1964, behind ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ and ‘She Loves You’. Over one million copies were eventually sold.
Last updated: 7 June 2021
Also on this day...
- 2011: Beatles museum opens in Buenos Aires, Argentina
- 1990: Paul McCartney live: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
- 1970: Recording: I Me Mine
- 1969: Get Back/Let It Be sessions: day two
- 1964: Live: The Beatles’ Christmas Show
- 1963: The Beatles live: Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Scotland
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (evening)
- 1962: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
- 1926: George Martin is born
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
I have the original disc jockey advanced single from 3/63. any buyers?
This was also the date that the Beatles appeared on prime time US TV for the first time, a taped segment that appeared on the Jack Paar show. I was 13 and happened to be watching at that moment with my friend Terry, who said “Oh those are the Beatles. I’ve heard of them. People are going crazy for them in England.” I watched briefly and said “They’re pretty good,” and didn’t think any more about it. A month later they were all anybody was talking about.