It was 50 years ago today, while staying at Georges V hotel in Paris, and appearing at the Olympia in support of Trini Lopez, that The Beatles learned I Want to Hold Your Hand had reached #1 on the US Billboard chart. They were "the toppermost of the poppermost". They were lucky enough (despite Paul's constant claim about not doing America until they had a #1) to have a long-standing booking on Ed Sullivan within a month to consolidate their position and introduce themselves properly. Which, boy!, did they do!
On this day they reached the top of the hill, despite all the achievements and ...