Department Of History, Georgia Southern Museum Present Beatles Exhibit

February 4, 2014

STATESBORO, Ga. – Feb. 4, 2014 — The Georgia Southern Museum will debut its newest exhibit today, These Youngsters From Liverpool: The Beatles, Ed Sullivan, and Gretsch Guitars, which is being presented in collaboration with the Public History program in the University’s Department of History and thanks to a generous sponsorship by Gretsch Guitars.

“The Beatles’ George Harrison loved his Gretsch guitars,” said Shay Meredith, a public history graduate student who is coordinating the exhibition. “His first Gretsch was a used Duo Jet, and his second a Chet Atkins Country Gentleman, which he played when the band debuted on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ So, for the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ arrival in the States, Mr. Fred Gretsch offered to loan the University an exhibit of guitars.”

The exhibition, which runs through Feb. 14, features an opening reception during which Gretsch will speak about how The Beatles’ performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” changed the musical instrument business forever. Other presenters include Richard Flynn, Ph.D., from the Department of Literature and Philosophy and Chris Mitchell, the owner of Pladd Dot Music. The reception includes light refreshments and is open to the public.

“We’re really grateful to Mr. Gretsch for providing this opportunity to commemorate such an amazing event in pop-culture history,” Meredith said. “Even if they can’t make it to the reception, folks should definitely drop by the exhibit while it’s open; it’s going to be great.”

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906 offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University is one of the Top 10 most popular universities in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, and is the top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu