My Beatlemania: Beatles fans share memories
The 50th anniversary of The Beatles' appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" is this Sunday, Feb. 9, and in preparation we asked PennLive readers to share when they fell in love with The Beatles.
What song did you hear? Did you get to know the music apart from The Beatles' image? Do you still think of them as the figures commanding crowds at Shea Stadium or the uniformed band of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"? Do you still enjoy their music as much now as you did then?
A few of our readers submitted their first Beatles memories:
Bev Motich: I had read about them in the newspaper before the first Ed Sullivan performance, but remember seeing them on TV as the first time I fell in love with them. Probably "All My Lovin" was the song that did it. I remember when they showed each member on camera and named them individually, for John Lennon they said "sorry, girls, he's married." I saw them live in concert at the Philadelphia Civic Arena in September of the same year. I was 12 at the time. I remember that you couldn't hear a thing because of all the screaming and my dad (bless him) was smart enough to bring cotton to put in his ears. My teenage bedroom was covered wall to wall with photos and newspaper clippings of The Beatles. George was my favorite. I remember the exact moment in 1980 when I heard that John had been shot. Yes, at 61, I still listen to their music and have a CD in my car player at the moment. Their music is still fresh and unique today. Long Live The Beatles!
Michael Proper: I am a major fan of their music, their history and their solo work. In my opinion the Beatles were some of the most talented musicians of my generation. I was only 4 years old when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show but my parents were watching the show when the Beatles were on and I vividly remember them. I grew up in Colonial Park and they were very popular in this area. I would watch American Bandstand which would feature their music and on Saturday morning they had a Beatles Cartoon with Ringo and his drum falling out of the back of the car after it hit a pothole. Their music was everywhere so I literally grew up with the Beatles. I am a collector of their music, books on the band, photo's, figures and DVD's. Last New Years Eve I was at the American Music Theatre to ring in the new year with a Beatles Tribute Band with the Lancaster Symphony behind them, fantastic show! It is hard to believe its been 50 years since they first appeared on Ed Sullivan. I have seen Paul McCartney in concert several times. My wife gets embarrassed whenever I hear a Beatles tune playing somewhere I start to sing along.
Anna Pantoliano: I am going to share a story with you that I told a friend in school today. When a "A Hard Day's Night" came out in the movies, I got to go with my older cousins. And of course the screaming was crazy during the film and I had never experienced anything like it. I was in the fourth grade at the time. Well, after the movie was over I just had to see it again! I wanted to actually hear it this time. So, since my mom came home from work at about 6:30 and lots of time I was home alone (with my older cousins), I decided to get out of school (PS19) and head to the movie theatre. Well, in those days there was a double feature, and as luck would have it, "The Wonderful World of Henry Orient" was on when I got there. So I sat there, watched it and then thoroughly enjoyed "A Hard Day's Night" afterward all by my little self. But you can imagine how late it was when I walked out of the theatre. I ran my little body home in the dark thinking "Oh my God -- what time is it?" And sure enough my mom was home, frantic! She had called my teacher, and almost the police! Boy did I get in trouble!!! But my mom never questioned my Beatles obsession after that day so long ago. Can you imagine how bold and independent I was at 10 years old! I've loved them a very long time! John always made me laugh when I was a kid. I adored him.
Whether you experienced Beatlemania firsthand or, 50 years after they appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," you are just embracing them now, we want to hear about how you became a Beatles fan. Share your first memories of The Beatles with us by emailing submissions@pennlive.com or tweeting @PennLive.