On this day in 1963, The Beatles made their first major television appearance

Thank Your Lucky Stars was a British  pop music television show, produced by ABC Television for the ITV network. Artists were often given performances on the show where they would have the opportunity to mime their latest 45 single releases in front of a live studio audience and the cameras.

The Beatles’ episode was actually recorded on the 13th of January, and the group appeared at the bottom of a seven act bill. They were only provided with time for one song, Please Please Me, previewing the first single for their upcoming album to be released in the following weeks. 

Though their start was at the bottom of the bill, appearing on Thank Your Lucky Stars was seen as a big opportunity for the band, and their first major television appearance, despite appearing on a children’s program the year before. The Beatles would return to the program several times until its eventual cancellation in 1966, growing massively in popularity between each appearance.