ABSTRACT
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) viewed the Beatles and other British groups quite literally as an invasion that would unfairly disadvantage American musicians and threaten their livelihoods. Because the Beatles have been so thoroughly canonized and celebrated for so long, it is easy to forget that not everyone welcomed their February 1964 arrival onto US shores with open arms. The Department of Labor relented and allowed the Beatles to return in August 1964 under the unrestricted category of special entertainers, with the agreement that the tour would include US bands and musicians as opening acts. When newspaper journalist Victor Riesel reported on the conflict in his widely read syndicated column, Beatles fans immediately responded with a flood of petitions and letters protesting the AFM’s decision. Jimmie Petrillo, who was AFM president then, countered with a proposal that the gates be swung wide open to both countries.
