Friday, February 6, 2004

Day Tripper

While I was  in a store recently, the cover of the Rolling Stone caught my eye.  Was it really 40 years ago that the Fab Four changed the face of music and the Baby Boom generation forever? 

I was so young when they appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show that I know I watched it, but I don't remember it.  What's to remember beside the hair flopping/tossing from side to side and the screams of the audience.  Hey, maybe I do remember it! 

I had Beatle Mania, that is certain. Ask my mother.  She certainly dreaded taking me shopping because I distinctly remember begging her to buy a 16 magazine for me.  Alas, she would not do it.  I must have been 10 or 11, too old to throw a tantrum, but old enough to never forget it.


Something else I will never ever forget nor forgive her for happened in 1976.  I was away from home by that time, doing something frivolously called attending college at Murray State University.  Mom and Dad sold the two homes we owned on Kilmer Dr., one being my Nana's house (she passed away in 1972) which we rented out.  With the proceeds they bought a much larger home in another part of town.

 I was told to come home and go through all my stuff, because if I didn't it was going to go on the curb.  I grew up in that house.  I had a lot of accumulated junk there (as you all can well imagine knowing that I can barely throw anything away).  I didn't believe my Mother had it in her to do such a vile thing to me... 

Well she did, and the one precious item that I will miss forever and ever is my collection of Beatle cards.  I had all of them, the early black and white to the more modern color treasures.  I had them all stacked in a metal purse with mother-of-pearl inlaid top from my 1964 Easter outfit.  Gone.

 Later on in life, sometime in the 1980's, Mom purchased a biography of Paul McCartney for me, autographed by the author.  She gave it to me for Christmas that year.  But it was what was inside that astonished me.  Somehow, somewhere she had found the above Beatle Card of George Harrison, my favorite Beatle,  and slipped it into the book. 

My most beloved Christmas gift.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! What was an incredible gift. George was my favorite Beatle too.

Anonymous said...

I guess your Mom also had it in her to be quite generous! What a great gift for you! Do you happen to know the worth of those cards? Jae

Anonymous said...

Do you know I had all FOUR cards! I think (don't have proof) that my ex sold em as they were just gone. What a wonderful gift from your mom!
Smilin Mon

Anonymous said...

My dad was so convinced that these "gd hippies" would corrupt the world that I was not allowed to watch...or listen to their music. Being the model oldest child that I was...I would comply. I was nearly through high school (74 - 75) before I dared bring one of their records into the house. I was on the sidelines for a big chunk of an era.

Anonymous said...

Yah know, I've spent years trying to forget these guys. Because, I know how old they are and how old that makes me. Thanks for the memories. I feel like Methuselia must have felt after his 996 years. Regards, "Old" Bill.

Anonymous said...

Wow, beautiful trip down memory lane - from tears to joy. xo

Anonymous said...

All right. I do remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. Like millions of others, I got my first guitar sohrtly after that performance.

Anonymous said...

I was a small child in the 60's....but loved their music. Only problem is I used to confuse the Beatles with the Monkees. lol.... My oldest brother used to tease me about that. Not only did I confuse the Beatles with the Monkees... I confused Raquel Welch with Phyllis Diller....

Anonymous said...

Gosh, this is great. I'm so happy your Mom found that card.

Anonymous said...

The Beatles were just a tad before my time. At least their first go-round. I was into The Wings (I think that's the name of Paul's group) and of course the songs by Lennon & Ono. Could you imagine what those cards would be worth today? At least your mom giving you the book and card was recognizing the importance they had to you. That's pretty cool. :-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

This guy has done an amazing job analyzing the songs of the Beatles. I thought you might be interested in checking out his site: http://www.icce.rug.nl/~soundscapes/DATABASES/AWP/awp-notes_on.html. Which of their albums do you like the best? =)

Anonymous said...

As I was looking for an old photo album on one of my last visits to my parents' house, I discovered that my mother still has her childhood collection of Beatles records. She forgot they were even there! (She says that one day maybe she'll sell them, but for now they're still tucked away in a cabinet collecting dust.)

Anonymous said...

John was my favorite Beatle, and although I wasn't old enough to see that appearance in 1964, it's been replayed often enough ever since that I remember it like I actually saw it. It's funny how history repeats itself. We see kids today get crazy over Justin and Britney, whereas parents had the Beatles and grandparents had Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra before that.