Yes it was 50 years ago Feb 9th 1964 and I was a young girl at my usual Sunday night dinner at my Aun’t Becky’s house. Watching The Ed Sullivan Show was part of the ritual. I had seen a TV item about the Beatles before on the Jack Paar Show. But that night when The Beatles played, OMG it was like a lightning bolt went through me and woke me up. That was it. I was Hooked. Were you there?
Most of my cousins know this, that I got to see The Beatles sing four times live, two times in one day, in Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens because my Uncle John knew Harold Ballard who used to own the Gardens. I never screamed though. That was my first rock and roll concert ever. I started at the Top. I still have my ticket stubs and my concert memorabilia. And I tried to sneak into The King Edward Hotel where they were staying and some guy tried to grab me and I got disgusted and left. I listen to The BEATLES all the time. I fantasized about them. I missed studying for exams to run out and buy Sergeant Pepper’s the day it was released. I drew pictures of them. My whole young life was defined by the Beatles music like millions of other Baby Boomers. I have kept every mono album I bought then and some singles too.
I even ran away to New York City one day during the school week as I heard the Beatles were there. I had a few bucks, there was special student fares and I don’t remember how I got to the Airport. But I remember it cost $15 to fly to New York City. I walked around New York but didn’t get to see them. My Mom freaked out. It was fun. I walked around Greenwich Village by myself and saw Woody Allen on the street. I knew who Woody was, but I;d rather I;d seen the Beatles.
My Dad worked in the Toronto Stock Market and as a special gift he bought me some Stock in Northern Songs the Beatles publishing company. I have held onto these for years. I know Northern Songs got turned into Apple I believe. And Michael Jackson bought up the Beatles catalogue. Then it got sold to Sony Records. I hadn’t seen the original stock shares for years. This has haunted me.
So yesterday during a Mercury Retrograde. At my husbands urging I opened a big box of papers. I said no I have to go through everything. What if my Northern Songs certificate is there and we throw it out by accident?
And lo and behold- in honor of the BEATLES. Here it is.
Ten shares which cost 2 shillings each. Dated May 25 1966.
I feel so grateful to have been born when I was, to know what Beatlemania as part of my life and growing up to the Beatles. Thank you John Lennon, who was my favourite, an artist, totally funny and a rebel. Paul McCartney for your songs, voice, Gemini charm. George Harrison for being reborn from an Indian spiritual man to being born in Liverpool to bring the EASTern music, meditation and customs to the West in a huge way. And Ringo thank you for just being you, keeping the beat, funny Ringo.
I took my daughter to see Paul McCartney play in Toronto 3 years ago. She was the same age I was when I saw the Beatles, so it felt right. My husband had never been lucky enough to see the Beatles play live. I said it’s as close as you’ll get these days. I cried. We were all moved.
The world wouldn’t have been the same with out you four Liverpudlian working class boys taking on this huge mantle. You had immense talents, charisma, humour and souls. Beatles Music will always be remembered. The Modern Classical standard.
BTW Does anyone know what these 10 shares are worth? PLease let me know.
WOW 50 years. I don’t feel any older than when I was in my 40’s. Time is an illusion.
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