1964 was an unnerving year for Florida. Russian missiles on Cuban soil, only 90 miles from Miami, were poised for deployment just a finger away by an angry, vengeful dictator. Civil Rights demonstrations hit the streets with determined protestors on both sides. President John Kennedy had been assassinated just a few months earlier. Americans lived in fear and uncertainty of what could happen next.
Then, this young group of British rockers appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, amazing Americans with something new and exciting. Soon after their appearance, they boarded a plane and flew to Miami. Bob Kealing, a retired broadcast journalist based in Orlando, recipient of six Emmy awards and
two Edward R. Murrow awards, recently published a book entitled, “Good Day Sunshine State: How the Beatles Rocked Florida. Kealing’s book immediately transports the reader into life in the US in 1964, then explores the musical and cultural impact of the Beatles’ visit to Florida.
Their stay in the Sunshine State also proved to be an important development in the revolution that made the “Fab Four” a worldwide phenomenon.
On Saturday, September 28 at 1 PM, the Palm Coast Historical Society will welcome Bob Kealing to the Palm Coast Community Center. to discuss his research and reasoning before writing this glimpse back into history. Lifelong Beatlemaniacs and history buffs will have an
opportunity to ask questions after the presentation.
There is no charge to attend. The program is funded by a grant from the Florida Humanities Program, the City of Palm Coast, the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, and Culture Builds Florida. Light refreshments will be available.
The Palm Coast Community Center is located at 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Further information is available by contacting Megan at the Palm Coast Historical Society (386-283-5929) or palmcoasthistorical@gmail.com. Guests should register at either 386-986-2323 or visit www.parksandrec.fun.
