THE BEATLES GET 1ST FEATURE IN ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA IN 50 YEARS

The Beatles are getting their first mention in Encyclopedia Britannica in 50 years. Next February 2014, also the 50th anniversary of the group’s arrival in America, the EB has a feature on the group in their annual Book of the Year. It’s the first time since 1964. Martin Lewis, Beatles expert, wrote the entry which can be found at  http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2013/10/2013-birth-of-beatlemania/
The annual volume, that surveys the most significant world events of each year, deemed the group’s global breakthrough in 1964 sufficiently noteworthy to merit a report in its Book Of The Year for that year.  But the Beatles have never warranted a second “Special Report” in that prestigious book.  Nor to the best of recollections have any other popular entertainers had a second bite of the Britannica cherry.
I’m told this is rather unusual for many reasons. The Encyclopedia Britannica primarily covers topics such as geography (26%), biography (14%), biology and medicine (11%), literature (7%), physics and astronomy (6%), religion (5%). Only 4% of the book is allocated to the arts.  Making this second “Special Report” about the Beatles all the more  prestigious.
And more Beatles news: the annual BeatleFest for collectors has been moved to NYC and the Grand Hyatt Hotel for February 7, 8. and 9th, 2014.