The new Beatles hotspot: Tiny Arkansas town launches tourism drive around the Fab Four
It seems you can't set foot anywhere in the world without finding a tribute to The Beatles, who visited a fair few cities on their many concert tours.
But one place you wouldn't think to associate with the Fab Four is Walnut Ridge in Arkansas, USA. In fact you've probably never heard of it.
But that hasn't stopped the tiny town - and its 5,000 residents - from cashing in on The Beatles' fame with a whole host of tributes, after the band stopped off there for 15 minutes, 47 years ago.
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Fly by: Ringo Starr, seen here in 1964 arriving - and leaving - Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The town is trying to launch a Beatles tourism industry after the band's brief visit.
Walnut Ridge has launched an entire tourism industry based around its brush with fame, unveiling a sculpture and a plaque in the bands honour and hosting a concert by a tribute band.
There are also plans to rename one of the streets Abbey Road and a documentary crew is filming a movie about the town.
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It is all to commemorate the two brief stopovers by the Fab Four back in 1964 when they changed planes at its small airport.
Strong: The Beatles legend has endured in the sleepy town of 4,925 people and grown women still weep at the memory of that fateful day. John Lennon seen here on the day.
Somehow the legend has endured in the sleepy town of 4,925 people and grown women still weep at the memory of that fateful day.
But for Beatles observers Walnut Ridge has become little more than a laughing stock that is desperately trying to cling on to the only interesting thing that ever happened there.
Former musician Bob Tucker, who was part of the Beatles' opening act on that tour, Bill Black's Combo, said: The Beatles were there for about 15 minutes!
He added jokingly that what they were doing was the biggest stretch in the history of show business.
It was one quiet night in 1964 that three teenagers came home claiming they had just met the worlds most famous pop stars as they landed at the rickety air field near their homes.
Nobody believed them until a pilot staying at a motel let slip that they were right.
TheFab Four made a connection in Walnut Ridge en route to taking a holidayat a dude ranch in Missouri, and came back via the same route as they made their way to New York.
Upon their return they were mobbed by hundreds of fans - but stayed on the ground for just a few minutes.
Now there are hopes that tourism officials can capitalise on what amounts to the briefest of possible brushes with fame.
Onthe event's 47th anniversary the town unveiled led a metal sculpture ofthe Beatles in the! style o f the album cover of Abbey Road.
They also hosted a concert by Beatles impersonators Liverpool Legends and tracked down the
1962 GMC Suburban two of the band used to get around the airport.
WalnutRidge resident Kathy Hall, who was 12 at the time, was thrilled when her father got all four Beatles to sign her copy of their latest album Something New when they made their one and only visit.
Immortalised: The sculpture modelled on the 'Abbey Road' Album cover in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas unveiled on September 18th
Legend: It was one quiet night in 1964 that three teenagers came home claiming they had just met the worlds most famous pop stars as they landed at the rickety air field near their homes
Now aged 59 she told the Wall St Journal: If someone offered me a million dollars, I don't think I would sell it.
The Beatles weren't even there long enough to drink a cup of coffee. But that time is very special to me.
Accordingto the Wall St Journal Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of the Beatles, were invited but did not show up.
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