Sid Bernstein 1918-2013

Music promoter Sid Bernstein has died aged95. Bernstein helped bring The Beatles to America in 1964, playing a crucialrole in the British Invasion.

‘George had been to the States the yearbefore and when he came back he said, "Oh, it’s going be so hard, they don’tknow us over there.” But by the time we got there to do The Ed Sullivan Show, we were Number One!’ – Ringo Starr in PHOTOGRAPH

‘The first dozen groups of the BritishInvasion were my imports, but it was no stroke of genius. I was just doing myhomework at the time.’ – Sid Bernstein

Bernstein organised the Beatles’ SheaStadium gig, which was the first concert ever to be held in a stadium, andstaged the first rock show at Madison Square Garden. He also booked artistsincluding the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.

Above: The Press on the train to Washington with The Beatles, 1964. Photograph by Ringo Starr.