This Day in Music History (1964)

Aug 19, 1964: The Beatles kick off first U.S. tour at San Francisco's Cow Palace

When the Beatles first landed in the U.S. before their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, photographer Ken Regan was there to capture the moment. Later that same year, in August of 1964, Regan was there again as the Beatles took to the stage for their first U.S. concert.

In his own words, and an excerpt from his book, "All Access: The Rock 'N' Roll Photography of Ken Regan," he noted his surprise when he realized who the man was he was about to photograph:

When The Beatles returned to America in August, 1965, for their second tour and played the Sullivan show again, I got one of my favorites. Walking the aisles, one audience member caught my eye: an older man sitting with his fingers plugged in his ears to mute the high-pitched squeals. As I moved in for this terrific shot, I got a closer look and realized I was photographing the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.

Leonard Bernstein and his family take in the concert, August 1965 (photo by Ken Regan)

To see more of Ken Regan's class photographs featuring The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and more, pick up a copy of his photography collection that GQ described as "an exhaustive, gorgeously composed inside look at some of rock 'n' roll's most famous and famously private artists in intimate and outrageous settings."