Anniversary of Beatles' Shea Invasion

While The Beatles' performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was an iconic TV moment, their 32-minute performance at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965 truly demonstrated how popular they had become. With a capacity of over 55,000, screaming fans filled the stands, with screaming that perhaps has only been heard in 1969 and 1986 since (and we're not sure the screaming during those World Series years approached the Beatles fans). People say the fact that they filled Shea Stadium paved the way for acts to perform in bigger venues - and for music labels to think different about their popular acts. So Gothamist recommends you go home, play a Beatles tune and let out a primal scream - it's much easier in this cooler weather!

At tomorrow night's Mets game, there will be a Beatles tribute band playing songs from the 1965 performance - and there are still tickets available. The Daily News on the 40th anniversary of the concert and a Beatles' fan page about the concert. And check out DVDs of The Beatles and music by The Beatles.