The British Invasion and Benton, Illinois
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 28 янв 2019
- A little known 1963 event rocked southern Illinois. George Harrison kicked off "The British Invasion" in the tiny town of Benton. It is history that deserves to be remembered.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Facebook: / thehistoryguyyt
Patreon: / thehistoryguy
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
Subscribe for more forgotten history: / @thehistoryguychannel .
Awesome The History Guy merchandise is available at:
teespring.com/stores/the-hist...
Script by THG
#beatles #thehistoryguy #history
Apologies to Beatles fans, but it appears that the Bed and Breakfast mentioned is not longer in business. Locals tell me that Eldorado, Il is pronounced with a long "a"- I am sorry for the error.
It's a Beatles Museum now .
The proper pronounciation of "Eldorado" is Elder-RAY-dough, or El-duh-RAY-dough if you use a lazy drawl in your speech.
Yeah, about that 'local' pronunciation thing.... After being born and growing up in Chicago for 27 years before I moved to Central Illinois, (very near Southern Illinois) I have been enculturated with bigoted values that Illinoisans who lived outside of Chicago were 'hicks'. Not that dissimilar from the Parisian attitude toward the rest of the French people. While I would never defend 'looking down your nose' at anyone, (and coincidentally my prejudice has long since evaporated many decades ago) it is interesting to examine how such prejudices come into being...
I believe the differences between us, the way we look or sound, is what first triggers 'Recognition'. The rest of the phenomenon of prejudice that follows is merely your outlook. If you've been brainwashed to be prejudiced, that's what follows. If you've been taught to be gleefully excited by the differences among us --a totally different reaction. But I digress. In the town of Bourbonnais, in central Illinois, local townsfolk immediately corrected me when used the obvious French pronunciation by telling me that they call it "Berbonis" (long o). Perplexed, having long been aware of Pierre Marquette and Joliet shaping so much history in Illinois, I inquired why they pronounce it thusly. ---Very interesting story.
@@wmrayburn7620 for another example, try pronouncing the capital of South Dakota.
I do attempt to use local pronunciations, but they are not always obvious or easy to find.
@@k75rtduo No it was closed many years ago.
Now that is a hell of a hidden story. Good job.
And I thought this was a tired topic about which anything/everything had been said and learned. Wrong. Well done sir! Many of these details I had no idea of. Thanks.
Yes...he basically pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one!!
"Wrong", loved it🤣, you made laugh ha ha 😃😉. Regards Bruce McKay 🇦🇺🙃🚀.
I just love this sort of piece of history it’s not earth shattering but it what’s life all about fantastic
Nice bow-tie, very appropriate for the topic!
Hear Hear!
Ditto Love the tie!
ripping.
@@Otokichi786 With ye nuttemegge!
I had a rescued English Bulldog a few years back and l think he would have adored wearing one, and if he didn't l would have certainly wear it.
RIP, you were always so stylish anyway fella.
I live in Southern Illinois. I have been to Benton, Mt Vernon, and that area many a time. Never knew about this. You produce impressive content. How you haven't accumulated a million subscribers is beyond me.
The jail Museum is a lot of fun- there is a display in the very front on the top floor. There is also a mural on the highway now as well.
Jason Womack and me
I also never knew of this even though I have traveled often in S. IL.... El Dorado, Mt. Vernon specifically. Very, very impressive content. I see now why Sir Paul M. made his Rte 66 tour a few years back from my home town in Joliet, IL. Illinois and the Beetles, who would have thought??!
I did some growing up in West Frankfort in the 70's.
I love the idea that someone thought George Harrison was trying out for the local band. I have to wonder what he said when he saw the Beetles on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Probably "Damn, we should have offered that guy more money!"
@@CallieMasters5000 lol. True. ✌😂
Beatles not Beetles ;-) You're talking about my all-time favorite band. ;-)
@@gerfmon1 Mine too!
😋👍
They said, "That's the guy that played in our band."
I'm a huge Beatles fan, and I never knew anything about this. I always thought George was so underrated. His songs are some of my favorites. Thank you for sharing, it was so great to learn this 😊😊😊.
The History Guy
Now that's history I have NEVER heard before. WOW! GREAT job. Thank You
northern ireland the troubles OPERATION MOTORMAN
@@neilevans6331 Maybe i'm a dumb ass but would you explain that a little better?
Sitting in my car freezing to watch before going into work.
As a long time Beatles fan from southern Illinois, this is the first time I've heard about any of this. I also had no idea that "I've got my mind set on you" was a cover. Thanks for the great story.
With all my knowledge of The Beatles, I never knew that George had been to America before The Beatles made their official debut on the Sullivan show & that he even bought his Rickenbacker guitar here. (Reportedly Roger (then Jim) McGuinn bought his Rickenbacker guitar soon after seeing George playing one in Hard Day's Night, and it was the unique tone of this guitar that would go on to become the signature sound of his band The Byrds a few years later.)
It was the signature sound of the Byrds but, I think, more because it was a 12 string guitar than it was a Rickenbacker. IMHO any good 12 string would have produced a similar sound. I always thought it sounded like a sound effect from a comic book...SCHWING!!!!
The guitar George bought in Illinois was a Rickenbacker single-pickup 6-string. Supposedly, he played it on "I Want To Hold Your Hand", and appeared on British television with it once, but stopped using it after that. He eventually gave it to a friend, who installed a second pickup in it. He got his famous 12-string in New York on the Beatles' first official U.S. visit.
@@ice9snowflake187 You know your Beatles history of instruments . a Rickenbacker rep brought 2 12 strings to to NY . George wasn't present he was ill, however John said I think George could use this and the rest is history.
@@alkitzman9179 The story I've read in a couple of places was that George was ill in bed when the Rickenbacker rep showed the Beatles the guitars. John thought George would like the 12-string and it was brought to him in his hotel bed, where he tried it out and gave a brief radio interview mentioning it. George's 12-string was one of only three made at the time. Suzy Arden, a Las Vegas country singer, got the first one, and George got the second one. The third one's original owner is unknown, but Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ended up with it.
@@ice9snowflake187 Yes has I have stated you know your Beatles Guitar history I commend you. There were 2 12's given to the Beatles at that time . Lennon got a black one like his 6 string ric and George the sunburst . Google John with 12 string Ric. He never played it live although he did rehearse with it before a few shows. There are a couple of photos of him doing this. Rickenbacker wanted the publicity for the Beatles playing their Guitars
Only the History Guy could find some snippet of the Beatles history that many a fan (Myself included) had never heard of before! Rock on History Guy!
I did not enjoy this edition of History Deserves to be Remembered... I LOVED IT! A special shout out to your tie, well played Sir!
That explains the picture tribute to George Harrison on southbound I-57, just south of Mt. Vernon, Illinios. I drive a truck all over the country and even marked it on my GPS so that I could have my camera ready to snap a photo of it. It always seemed weird that someone built a half billboard sized painting of any one of the Beatles "Out Here!", let alone George.
I never understood the relevance. I still want to make a picture of it. My brother in law is a career guitarist in Moscow, Russia. He is also a giant fan of George Harrison.
It is located between Airport Lane and I-57 just north of the Benton exit. Google street view is too out of date to show it yet.
Thank you History Guy not only for history that desearves to be remembered but history that is experienced personally.
One of my best friends in high school had a story about this trip. Her much older sister and brother-in-law had gone to Benton in September 1963 for a family reunion. George and Peter were at the reunion (Louise was probably introducing them to other relatives) and an older man asked George what he did back in England. George said "I play guitar in a band called the Beatles." The old man said "Son, with a name like that you aren't going anywhere." My friend told me this story in the early '70s.
Now this episode deserves to be remembered.
Not only did the History Guy research, compile and deliver a great story, but he also wore an appropriate bow tie. Not only that he tied it himself (how many folks can do that these days? AND he wore the UK flag the correct way up and not as a sign of distress. Now that deserves to be remembered. Salute.
Love the bow tie and the guitar in the background. As luck would have it the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan on my 7th birthday Feb 9th. My first single was day tripper on one side and we can work it out on the other it was brought to me when I was in grade school by a friend from London. Two years ago at panorama in New York I watched Dhani Harrison play and met him after the show. He was a good guy and still looks like his Dad who by the way will always be my favorite Beatles.
I love it when you cover stuff what happened in Southern Illinois. Nice to see somebody acknowledge some of the unique history from this region.
The Wonderful Louise Harrison, sister of Beatle George Harrison, wrote the forward in my book that I authored & published 12 years ago in 2007 called: "Eddie Munster AKA Butch Patrick". I selected Louise to do the forward in my book, as both "The Beatles" & "The Munsters" both debuted Nationally in the USA in 1964...and I wanted her thoughts on 1964 in general, versus my own memories of 1964. Louise is an amazing Sister, Mother, Grandmother, & Friend to Myself & So Many! The story of her Brother George traveling to the USA in 1963 to stay in Benton, is not that much of a "hidden story". Not only myself, but many others have written about it in years past. Louise was even on the plane w/The Beatles when they landed in America in 1964! Also, besides "The Beatles" debuting on "The Ed Sullivan Show", so did singer Davy Jones...on that same night: Davy told me years ago (& I recalled him on the show that night) that he appeared before "The Beatles" doing a sample of his work as the Artful Dodger from his Broadway Show "Oliver!" (the Artful Dodger role was previously done in the UK by "Genesis" band singer & drummer Phil Collins & was later done in the "Oliver!" Feature Film by late Actor Jack Wilde).
Phil Collins as a kid can be seen in " Hard Days Night". I met Louise in Illinois and she was sweet as pie! I felt so bad when I read her son passed away. I am glad she and George made up before he passed away.
So the German Shephard was the first American with Beatlemania?! :-)
from Hamburg maybe?
lol
🤣🤣🤣
Fantastic edition! The Beatles remain so culturally relevant all these years after their break up. Music does indeed hath charms! In the words of George Harrison The History Guy is, “Fab.”
Positive,heart warming & nostalgic history...well done sir,very well done!
I bought my first Beatles album in 1964 at red Fenton’s music store in mt Vernon- just a few months after George got his guitar there. The guy behind the counter told me one of the Beatles had just bought a guitar there but I did not believe him.
Exactly!!
History Guy, you never cease to amaze me. Please keep these wonderful stories coming!
I love that you put ten minutes worth of info into a ten minute slot. Some TV shows put less into an hour, well forty minutes after ads.
Wow....thank you for teaching me something about the Beatles that I never knew :) I love this channel :)
Every time I watch you I forget all my troubles for a while! Thanks and don’t stop
What a story. You hit a home run. I was in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. By 1969 I had earned leave credits and decided to go to Australia. The big Beatles song in April of 1969 was Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da. When I returned to the USA in May of 1969, nobody had ever heard of that Beatles song. Eaglegards...
Yeah, it was never released as a single in the USA. But anyone who owned a copy of the White Album knew the song well. :-)
Yes, that song was pretty big here in Australia for some reason. I remember it well from my childhood. Also, I hope you had a good time on your leave. 😎
@@maddyg3208 On a personal side, I stayed in Sydney. I still have the motel receipt. I was with a couple of Vietnam guys I met on holiday. I met a couple of nice woman staying at the motel and they were from Melbourne on holiday. I met some girl, can't remember her name and she was really nice. I did the Sydney Harbor boat gig and still have the wine bottle. I almost went back to Australia, but family saved the day. I was in an OH 6A helicopter and we ran out of JP-6 over Indian country. The Australian UH 1D Helicopter crew came to the rescue. I'm forever grateful to the Australian people for my rescue. Thank you.
Great piece of history! Lots of little facts I had not known until now, I'll have to read that book his sister wrote called "My Kid Brothers band!
Thanks History Guy! You Rock!
It was this visit that helped to bring the Beatles to St. Louis on their tour. Louise was interviewed many times by the St. Louis radio, and television stations. St. Louis was blessed to have such a resource of knowledge.
I remember listening to WLS late one night in 1963. The signal had a slow, rolling fade because Chicago was a long distance away. The DJ announced that the next song would be by a British musical sensation, the Be-At-Lees. It was a bit of history ...
Another great video! I also love how frequent they've become! Keep up the amazing work!
The only time I wanted to get home from grampa & grammas place in time to watch Ed Sullivan! Was that Sunday night.
I was watching it AT Grandma and Grandpa's! And I can remember my Grandpa saying "What are those girls screaming for? I can't hear the music". I was just 5 but I will never forget that show.
I was 5 years old that night n had a baby sitter.i thought she had went plumb goofy watching the Beatles. I'm 60 now n know I was witnessing history.
@@kentonclarkson1449 , Must have been the King, Elvis ?
@@victorcastle1840 No, The Beatles in February of 1964
Back in 1963, one of my friends, who had a career as a guitarist playing with some big names, worked at Sound City, the London Gretsch guitar dealership. This shop was owned by Ivor Arbiter- he also owned Drum City and the year before, Brian Epstein had come into Drum City to buy Ringo's Ludwig drum kit and Ivor Arbiter was asked to design the logo for the band and paint it on the drum. He designed that "drop T" logo there and then and never expected to hear of the band again. Of course, they exploded and he decided to present George Harrison with a Burgundy coloured Gretsch guitar- and my friend did the presentation! I think over time the guitar became known as "The Ticket to Ride"guitar. In fact, my friend was only telling me the other day how a significant number of these guitars needed expert remedial attention before they could be sold! I am assuming they picked a good one for George who, apparently, was dressed very sharply and came across as a very good bloke. You can read Ivor Arbiter talking about his designing of the Beatles logo on the internet.
This was a delight. Thank you, sir!
John Hall who was a high school classmate owns Rickenbacker Guitars. His father founded the company after an association with Fender.. You might be interested in the Fantasmagorian that Rickenbacker/Hall Family helped create for our English Teacher, Robert G Hall.
Thanks for this history lesson on George, and those other three guys. Who would have thought they'd name a Pope after two of those three guys?
Now Saint John Ringo II
You are the new age Paul Harvey. Always loved his series "The Rest of the Story" and this was an excellent emulation, even if unintended. Your episodes get my enthusiastic thumbs up! Another spiffy bow tie!
I live in Mt.Vernon Illinois and I have traded at Red Fenton's Music store , my first Good Guitar was a 1961 Hagstrom made in Sweden . My good friend Jerry was in Red's shop when George came in and heard Red tell him "Come back in a couple of days and the Guitar will be Black" Ha!Ha! The Skating Car Hop at the "Taco Villa" where he ate was a Girlfriend of mine . They put up a sign that said George ate there . Good Documentary , could have been a little more "In dept" , but enjoyable . I'm 73 now and the memory is one of my Favorites . Thank You !
Great story. I also like your electric guitar prop. Good show, mate!
Reminds folks that history is more than politics and warfare. The beautiful cultural tapestry.
Thank you again for covering events in Southern llinois. The area between Springfield and Cairo is as rich in it's history as you'll find anywhere in America.
Love “before they were stars”’ stories like this!
Excellent as always
Well played, sir! This former DJ salutes you.
It’s also fascinating to know that the WFRX deejay was a teenage girl who had been a fan for months, and interviewing a member of her favorite band was a dream come true. In that area, and others across North America there was an underground community of Beatles and Merseybeat fans who bought imported records. There was also a Vee-Jay single that had come out earlier that year and went nowhere. Don’t know if it was played on the radio before the Illinois date you mention.
The CBC ran a segment on this years ago and I always thought it would make a great movie. It was the last time any Beatle could go anywhere with anonymity.
I met George’s sister in Branson Missouri about ten years ago while she was managing a tribute Beatles band. She was a very nice women who had a charming personality. She sat in the front row of the theater with us as we watched the show. In between sets she and would speak about her brother and this new band she putting together. She also spoke about this first visit George made to the USA just before the Beatles made it big. I could tell that this period in her life was so important for her.
They still perform. Plus every year they go to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to perform at the Beatles Fest there.
Oh cool ! I think the group was called the “ Liverpool legends “ or something like that. The day we first saw them preform a new singer who played the part of George had his first day on stage. He was very good but during the whole performance he would look down at George’s sister and she would gesture her approval back to him. It was cute to see how she would signal him. In return he would reach down into his soul to give a even better performance. Later that same summer we saw them at the Minnesota state fair and they were even better.
+David Micheletti Yes. Liverpool Legends. I’ve seen them and 1964. Check out the group Rain. They go into the psychedelic time period.
Karin I will check them out. Thanks
Nice little story. Brought a smile to my face.
That was outstanding! Made all my kids and they’re friends watch it!
So "Little Eygpt" had settled down some since the time you described in your last video on the area!
The two classiest Beatles? George Harrison and Ringo Star.
What makes this video appealing is your hidden smile that bespeaks a fondness for the whole Beatles thing, and your respect for moments that make history. Excellent work, as always!
Great tie, History Guy.
Your style of connection is refreshing and interesting, and always engaging. Keep up the good work. And thank you for what you do.
Light hearted and fun. I like your war stories, but its nice to have some were nobody got blown up.
Very interesting, I grew up on the south side of Chicago and was fortunate enough to see the Beatles play at Comisky Park...must have been 1964 or so.....non stop screaming....my ears are still ringing....
Enjoyed very much !
Louise Harrision also had a book called "Before he was Fab" which chronicled Georges Benton visit. I bought a copy from her at an Illinois Beatle festival she was attending with a band she managed. Pick it up if you can find a copy, it's a good read, and has lots of details about her writing letters to St Louis area radio stations trying to drum up some airplay for the Beatles.
I had no idea all this took place less than 50 miles from my birthplace.
Great job History Guy!
Love the Beatles and love this channel. I didnt know this little snippet. Well played Sir and I really dig the bowtie. Fab and Groovy.
I had always heard that George had been to America before the Beatles came in February of '64, but did not know any of the details. Thanks for filling in the blanks.
Louise used to do radio reports of what the Beatles were up to on St. Louis radio station KXOK in the mid/early 60’s.
Love St.Louis history!!!
Wow! Who know. Such a small world and such an amazing band. Thanks History Guy.
My grandfather had a barbershop in Benton.....George came in for a trim while he was in town!
Lovely story! Thank you ever so much, History Guy!
What a neat story! Thanks for sharing this great short.
The History Channel really needs to hire you.
Another southern Illinois event. Love it! I like how you begin the story in a very Paul Harvey "The Rest of the Story" way. Those of us from southern Illinois know this story, but it's always good when the rest of the world learns that a small radio station in West Frankfort, IL introduced the Beatles to the US. Thank you for keeping history alive!
George Harrison was always my favorite Beatle....In September of 1964 the Beatles visited a ranch in Alton, MO. It is now a Missouri State Park.
A gem piece of history indeed.
Oh my! Those good ole days just keep coming back, and I so miss them now.
Better historical content about the Beatles in 5 minutes on a media platform than many that would do for an hour.
Love the Union Jack bow tie. Thank you for an interesting piece of history from a Brit and Beatles fan.
I watched my older sister, who was in her early teens at the time, rolling on the floor while we watched the Beetles on the Ed Sullivan show on a small B&W TV in the living-room.. My father, who'd been an Irish tenor in his day, was stupefied by his daughters reaction to the show. George's visit to America the year before was the calm before the storm.
My entire family are happily history nerds. Even when the grandkids were little they loved the old black and white WW2 documentaries. I will be sure to introduce them to this amazing channel the next time they come over to visit us. Gonna share this with my son as well. He will, no doubt, love this. ✌
I knew the basics of this story, but you really fleshed it out with many unknown bits. Didn't know that's where George bought the Rickenbacker or original single he recorded for Cloud Nine- fascinating stuff, thanx 😎
So I've fallen into a habit: 1 see a new video from the History Guy. 2 Hit the like button. 3 watch the video. I have never been wrong. :-) I love this aspect of history that you bring, history guy. Forgotten snippets that are 10 times more interesting and just as profound as the big stories which we have all heard. Thanks!!!
Great bit of history I never knew about George H. Thanks for sharing.
I had read George had visited America the year before there first appearance on Ed Sullivan but never knew he played with another small town band or two which sounds so George. That’s so perfect, the story of these four FAB guys never seems to end! Thanks History Guy.
Being born in raised in Carbondale, IL I know all the towns mentioned... terrific piece of history! You do a marvelous job with these pieces.
THG this episode made my day. Thank you so much.
A little reconnaissance mission before the British Invasion. 😉
What an incredible tale! I loved it! A Hard Days Night! Can't think of a better reason to visit southern Illinois!!!!!
Thank you, History Guy and Gal.
I lived in Mt Vernon, the town that George went to to buy his Rickenbacher guitar from Fenton's music shop, the same shop that our High School students bought their band instruments from. Great local legend!
Gear fab THG, yet another fascinating video. To be honest I’ve seen dozens of your uploads now and have enjoyed all. Can’t believe that you don’t have more subs, between the quality of your vids and the variety of subject matter you’re now my favorite RUclipsr. Thank you for your diligence.
Loved this episode! Wonderful job THG!
The calm before the storm in Rock n Roll history....
I loved this. Your best "short".
What a great nugget from the Beatles history. The first 45 record I ever bought was "She Loves You". I was about 7 years old!
Love the bow tie from the UK ,great stuff never bores me .
I’ve watched many of your productions but must say that this one was the most fun! I confess I’m a bit biased since The Beatles have been my favorite band since I was a child, but it’s nice to see history that isn’t tragic in and of itself. Yes George died too young, but this story is lovely all the same.
Read all about this in Smithsonian, and about the two weeks George spent there, I also talked to Carl Perkins son, and he knew him personally, and gave him the guitar his dad Played with him on TV special, and George cried, it was a special time
Wow, excellent story! I had no idea! The guitar tone on Harrison's older work....I absolutely adore it!
I was recently looking to buy a guitar and while looking for the ideal tone, I kept coming back to players like Harrison, Eddie Cochran, Hilton Valintine, and Brian Jones....the Rickenbacker is nice but I love the sound of a Grestch. 💘
That sir, was truly fascinating. Thank you!
That tie is TO DIE FOR! I love it!
I thought I knew about everything concerning the Beatles (with the exception of whether or not Paul is Faul.) However, this was a total surprise. Thank you for the info and it DOES need to be remembered. Excellent.
This is a fantastic story.
I'd heard about this from one of the many Beatles documentaries I've seen, but this one gives more detail. Thanks very much for posting it.
A most splendid channel!
I thought I Knew every random bit of Beatles trivia there was but you never cease to educate me on simply fascinating topics