<P> During their U.S. tours, the Beatles were introduced to both Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan . Strongly influenced by Presley since before their formation, the band had tried to meet him in the past, but arrangements had fallen through . At Presley's suggestion, guitars were set up in his living room and the gathering played music for an hour, following which they discussed the music business and exchanged anecdotes . The other meeting, with Dylan, influenced the music subsequently produced by the Beatles as well as shaping Dylan's own musical style . This was made evident both in Dylan's controversial adoption of electric guitar, and in changes that were apparent in Lennon's vocal and guitar - playing styles . </P> <P> However, before their visits to United States in 1964 the Beatles still doubted that they could bring anything new to the country . In apprehensive conversation among the Beatles on board the aircraft to New York February 1964, McCartney had questioned, "They've got their own groups . What are we going to give them that they don't already have?" </P> <P> An estimated four thousand Beatles' fans were present on 7 February 1964 as Pan Am Flight 101 left Heathrow Airport . Among the passengers were the Beatles, on their first trip to the United States as a band, with their entourage of photographers and journalists, and Phil Spector . When the group arrived at New York's newly renamed John F. Kennedy Airport, they were greeted by a second large crowd, with Beatles fans again estimated to number four thousand, and journalists, two hundred . From having so many people packed in a little space, a few people in the crowd got injured . The airport had not previously experienced such a large crowd . </P> <P> After a press conference, where they first met disc jockey Murray the K, the Beatles were put into limousines--one per Beatle--and driven to New York City . On the way, McCartney turned on a radio and listened to a running commentary: "They have just left the airport and are coming to New York City ..." After reaching the Plaza Hotel, the Beatles were besieged by fans and reporters . Harrison had a fever of 102 ° F (39 ° C) the next day and was ordered to stay in bed, so Neil Aspinall, the band's personal assistant, replaced Harrison on guitar during the Beatles' first rehearsal for The Ed Sullivan Show . On 9 February 1964, the Beatles made their first live U.S. television appearance . 73 million viewers--about two - fifths of the total American population--watched the group perform on The Ed Sullivan Show at 8 P.M. According to the Nielsen ratings audience measurement system, the show had the largest number of viewers that had been recorded for a U.S. television program . </P>

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