Newswise — After huge success in Great Britain the previous year, the Beatles' Feb. 7, 1964 arrival in the United States came under intense media exposure. The band confidently engaged U.S. audiences with charm, humor and music during the two-week visit, which included their first live U.S. television appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Two experts from the University of Illinois at Chicago are available to address Beatles-related inquiries.

The Beatles & TV: The Beatles' U.S. arrival 50 years ago was perfectly timed for a television generation reaching its teen years, says Walter Podrazik, UIC visiting lecturer in communication. Podrazik, a co-author of three Beatles books and a Museum of Broadcast Communications curator, can talk about a variety topics, including the role of television in the band's initial U.S. splash. Podrazik's co-authored books about the Beatles cover the group's recording history and record releases, from the beginning through their solo years. He is a frequent presenter at Beatles-related conferences, the contributing editor to the publication Beatlefan, and a panel moderator at the annual fest for Beatles fans held in Chicago.

Beyond Beatlemania: The Beatles' cultural impact was made by using media as a promotional platform and by pioneering recording practices, which influenced consumer listening habits, says Steve Jones. Jones, UIC distinguished professor of communication, who has written about popular music, recording technology, and posthumous fame for musicians, can comment.