Ladies and Gentlemen..THE BEATLES!

I was just over 3 months old when The Beatles appeared in America for the first time on The Ed Sullivan show on February 9, 1964. I only remember seeing The Beatles once on TV. It was The Smothers Brothers Show in 1968, and for years I thought it was "Let It Be", but apparently it was "Hey Jude" What can I say? I was only 4. I can't say I was a gaga Beatles fan. They broke up when I was only 7, but I did grow to love so many of their songs when I was growing up. Whether you loved them or hated them, you cannot deny the impact they had on music and the world. It would take me forever to list the hits they turned out. They were so versatile. Their music ranged from classics like "Till There Was You" to the hard rock of "Revolution" "Yesterday" is one of the most covered songs in history with over 2200 recordings. They proved themselves to not just be a flash in the pan. They are one of the first groups I remember hearing that used classical instruments in their songs, the gorgeous string quartet in "Yesterday," the chorus of french horns in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." the percussive cellos in "Eleanor Rigby," one of my personal favorites. They were innovative and cutting edge, but above all, they were true musicians, writing their own music. It has been 50 years since they were introduced to America, but their music is just as popular with today's generation. Both my girls, 18 and 21, love their music.
I was fortunate to catch the Grammy's tribute special to the Fab Four. It was filled with rock legends old and new to perform their own versions of some of the most beloved songs, but the part that absolutely blew me away were the performances of Ringo Starr (73) and Paul McCartney (71) as the show's finale. They both rocked the house, but Paul McCartney in particular was unbelievable! He didn't shy away from the high notes, and he wailed on the guitar like he was 20. He closed with "Hey Jude," and my youngest remarked that it sounded like she was listening to he iPod. What a gift they gave the world. I feel so lucky to have enjoyed their music through my life, and look forward to enjoying it for many years to come!

IMAGINE

On February 7, 1964, a significant event happened to music in this country. Four young men from Liverpool, England, named John, Paul, George and Ringo arrived in the USA. I was, at the time, just over 3 months old, so I don't really remember the actual arrival or the now, legendary, appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, but The Beatles, as they were known, were a phenomenon. I would venture to say that if you stopped anyone on the street over the age of 10, they would know at least one Beatles song and probably several. I grew up hearing their music, and the one and only time I can remember seeing them on TV was an appearance on The Smothers Brothers show. They performed Let It Be live. You may like them or you may not, but no one can argue that they are pop icons and essential to any historical anthology of music in America. I wasn't an obsessive fan of The Beatles, but I did and still do love so much of their music.
Today, October 9th, is the birthday of one of The Beatles. John Lennon would have turned 70 today if he had lived. Just as I remember so vividly that amazing live performance on The Smothers Brothers Show with happiness, I also remember another event with great sadness. On December 8, 1980, I was up very late doing homework in my bedroom. I was listening to a local radio station, Q-94, when the DJ came on. You could tell by the tone of his voice that something was terribly wrong. He announced that John Lennon had just been shot outside of his apartment building in New York City. Shortly after they announced his death. I was shocked. Of all people, John  Lennon, the man who penned the words, "Give peace a chance." Someone had taken his life. It was senseless. The assassin had planned it, and in one split second he silenced forever John's contribution to our world.  Some of the most profound lyrics he ever wrote, in his death, were also the most ironic. Wherever you are, John, you don't have to "IMAGINE" anymore.