In honor of the upcoming Beatles Rock Band:
They just dominated.
About The Author
BooMan
Martin Longman a contributing editor at the Washington Monthly. He is also the founder of Booman Tribune and Progress Pond. He has a degree in philosophy from Western Michigan University.
Even the “throwaway” tracks from these sessions were awesome!
The reissues on CD sound great too, by the way.
It was the summer of ’63, well before their American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show the following year. I was dating a guy who had spent part of our school break in the UK and had bought the Brit album “Please, Please Me.” He showed me the cover, saying, “They look weird but listen to it and tell me what you think.” In those days, I listened to Dylan and other folkies and didn’t like rock n’ roll very much, was never an Elvis fan but did kinda like the sound of the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison. So there it was: a blend of the sounds and sensibilities I liked — and I found myself grinning like a fool. My friend said, “It’s funny, isn’t it? I don’t know why but their songs make me feel happy.”
That was the hook, the key to their initial success — they made people feel happy. After Kennedy was assassinated, let me tell you, that was the saddest I’ve ever seen the whole country feel. After 9/11, there was fear and anger mixed in with grief. The Winter of ’63 was total sadness, pure and brutal. That’s the context of the hysteria that greeted them.
I was 14 when I bought “Introducing the Beatles” and, like Harry Potter for today’s kids, the Beatles grew up with me, evolving as I did, becoming more complex and sophisticated. Their body of work is unrivaled as far as I’m concerned.
Gee, I wish I could afford the new boxed set…
Oh yeah.
We did have some fine music, but the Beatles’ joie de vivre made all the difference in the world. Even New York City became a kinder and gentler place when they visited.
This group is like never ending story. I really enjoy watching all original videos and even Spoofs!
Thanks for sharing!