1964 Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 62 Years Ago Today
1964 Classic Was a No. 1 Hit 62 Years Ago Today
Olivia KlimekMon, February 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM UTC
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Sixty-two years ago today, the Beatles topped the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with their sophomore album, Meet the Beatles!
The legendary British band released the album in 1964, garnering massive success. While the band's debut 1963 album Please Please Me ultimately launched the group into mainstream U.K. success, Meet the Beatles! is widely credited with igniting Beatlemania in the U.S.
The record was the band's first with Capitol Records and contained several massive hits like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "I Saw Her Standing There," "All My Loving," "This Boy" and "It Won't Be Long." Defined by its high-energy vocals, driving rhythms and innovative songwriting, Meet the Beatles! was quickly recognized as the album that cemented the band as a cultural phenomenon in the '60s.
The Beatles' second album marked the start of their nearly decade-long dominance over the charts. After its release, Meet the Beatles! went on to sell over five million copies and top the Billboard charts for over 11 consecutive weeks.
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The Beatles take a break from their rehearsals for the Royal Variety Performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, with a coffee after lunch.Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images (Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)The Legacy of the Beatles
The Beatles officially formed in 1960, with Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr making up the iconic lineup. Between 1963 and 1970, the group released 13 studio albums, achieving insurmountable levels of commercial success and critical acclaim.
The Beatles are widely recognized for revolutionizing production and songwriting in the '60s, creating a youth culture that has gone unparalleled for decades. To this day, the band remains influential, resonating with young fans the same way they did for older generations, continuing to hold the world record for the best-selling music act of all time.
Throughout the band's career, they have earned eight Grammy Awards, 25 Grammy Award nominations, an Academy Award, three Brit Awards and 15 Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting. In 1988, the Beatles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—which was the first year the group was eligible—solidifying their legacy as the most influential band of all time.
Related: This 1969 Classic Song Reached No. 1 on Billboard 56 Years Ago Today
This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
