My first vivid memory as a child is watching JFK’s funeral on television. The next one occurred less than three months later when the Beatles appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
Of course, I wasn’t alone that night. It is estimated that 73 million Americans watched the show that evening, exactly 43 years ago, representing 45 percent of the population at that time.
Pretty astounding.
Any way, without further ado, here is the video of that amazing night (h/t Hot Air). I hope it puts a tear in your eye, and as big a smile on your face as it does me. Watching this, I feel four years old again, without a care in the world, and nothing but a limitless future ahead of me.
How 'bout you?
*****Update: For a little trivia, February 9, 1964 was not the first time the Beatles appeared on American television. Jack Parr had shown a clip of them a few weeks before. Video here.
*****Update II: From the following week on Ed Sullivan I believe. Video here.
*****Update III: The Beatles' first concert in America was days later in Washington, D.C. Videos here, here and here.
*****Update IV: Interview with Murray the K the night the Beatles arrived in America. Video here.
Comments Policy
(Channeling my inner Mike M
February 9, 2007 - 23:21 ET by kevcad(Channeling my inner Mike Myers)
“I’m as happy as a little girl…”.
I wonder if Letterman/Schaeffer will mark this anniversary, too? Afterall, Dave does currently occupy the Ed Sullivan Theatre.
Their stuff will stand the test of time.
And to think only Paul and Ringo are still around. :-(
Yes, they did mark the occasi
February 10, 2007 - 12:53 ET by Del DolemonteYes, they did mark the occasion Friday night, with an appearance by the "Fab Faux". Will Lee of Letterman's own house band, Jimmy Vivino from the Conan O Brian show band, along with several other top level pros formed this "band" a few years ago to play Beatles tunes.
I didn't see it, but according to my brother they did "I Am The Walrus".
Mr Burns: Beatles, eh? *Smi
February 9, 2007 - 23:22 ET by Chicago RepublicanMr Burns: Beatles, eh? *Smithers whispering* Ah yes, seems I remember their off-key catarwalling on the old Ed Sullivan show. What was Ed thinking?
Uh-oh, now I will have to go
February 10, 2007 - 14:27 ET by Del DolemonteUh-oh, now I will have to go watch one of the Simpsons' "Beatles" episodes, namely the "B-Sharps" one, which was brilliant. Too bad Lennon wasn't alive, he's the only Beatle never to have appeared on that show.
Thank you, thank you for that
February 9, 2007 - 23:34 ET by Trix RabbitThank you, thank you for that link. Watching it again gave me the chills. It was wonderful then as it is now.
Liberal: a power worshipper without power. George Orwell
I was only four at the time,
February 9, 2007 - 23:48 ET by Scout FinchI was only four at the time, so I can't say I remember watching The Beatles that night. However, my parents always watched Ed Sullivan, so it's very likely it was on and I just don't remember it.
But I do remember the excitement of watching the TV broadcasts of "Help" and "Hard Day's Night". The most exciting nights of TV watching in my youth.
Memories....misty water-color
February 9, 2007 - 23:49 ET by bigtimerMemories....misty water-colored memories..or some such!
What fun, long ago far away..my how times have changed.
Still never did get the gal's going ga-ga over them...well, except for Paul, but heck, what did I know... I was seven or eight....
Thanks so much for the very pleasant distraction...I got a kick out of it!
The thing that always blows
February 9, 2007 - 23:56 ET by Howard_BealeThe thing that always blows my mind is that they'd have been legends if this was the peak of their acheivement. It wasn't. It was just the beginning.
Howard
February 10, 2007 - 00:04 ET by Noel SheppardHoward,
Well, that's a big night for them, obviously. However, musically, I quite agree.
That said, what do you think their peak was musically? Less important, has anything touched that level in pop music since? ns
What about Air Supply?
February 10, 2007 - 00:43 ET by Carl KolchakNoel, don't you think Air Supply has touched their level?
"I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you"
Carl
February 10, 2007 - 00:49 ET by Noel SheppardCarl,
Nah. Bay City Rollers, maybe. :-) ns
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night
February 10, 2007 - 00:53 ET by Carl Kolchak"S A T U R D A Y Night!"
Carl
February 10, 2007 - 00:59 ET by Noel SheppardCarl,
Talkaboutcha rock n roll anthems! Name one betta! :-) ns
Friday Night Fun is a good idea
February 10, 2007 - 01:19 ET by Carl KolchakNoel, Fridays are good days to unwind. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to change gears on you. Who do you think rocks more? John Lennon, Mick Jagger or Roger Daltry?
In my opinion I would have to pick Roger Daltry, because I like the Who the best out those 3.
"I thought I was the Bally table king, but I just handed my pinball crown to him" 'Pinball Wizard'
Carl, I remember buying the c
February 10, 2007 - 01:29 ET by Chicago RepublicanCarl, I remember buying the cassette of "Live at Leeds" two weeks before I went in the Navy. I discovered "Young Man Blues" and thought I was the coolest 18 year old around. I agree, Roger Daltry is a bad man.
Keith Moon rocked didn't he
February 10, 2007 - 01:33 ET by Carl KolchakHow about Keith Moon's performance on the "Smothers Brother's Show"? Classic tv!
"This is my generation baby!" 'My Generation'
Ah! Ok Carl, you're an old ma
February 10, 2007 - 02:32 ET by Chicago RepublicanAh! Ok Carl, you're an old man.
haha funny Chicago
February 10, 2007 - 02:40 ET by Carl KolchakLOL Chicago.
I'm really not that old, I just always seemed to like older things growing up. I used to listen to the Doors, The Who, watch reruns of "Twilight Zone" or "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" while other kids were more into the modern stuff. I'm not quite 40 yet, but getting close. I didn't see the live version of The Who on the "Smothers Brothers", but had "The Kid's Are Alright" cassette tape(now I know that dates me a little) that played that all live. Then later I saw the actual video of the Who on the "Smother's Brothers Show".
"Mom always did like you best"
actually you and I are the sa
February 10, 2007 - 09:17 ET by Chicago Republicanactually you and I are the same age, it sounds like. Smother's Brothers just doesnt ring a bell. I was like you in High School with music taste. Everyone else was into the hair bands and I was discovering the Who and had memorized the entire Led Zeppelin catalogue. By the way, best Who song - My Wife.
Carl
February 10, 2007 - 01:45 ET by Noel SheppardCarl,
Tommy is one of my favorite albums of all time. In its own way, it's probably a better album than any the Beatles did, and maybe the best rock album of all time. The first time I heard it, I literally cried. To this day, it still amazes me.
One of the best concerts I've ever seen was The Who's Quadrophenia reunion tour in 1995. Unbelievable.
In the end, I think the Beatles were a more important band. However, pound for pound, Keith Moon was a far better drummer than Ringo, Pete could wipe the floor with George or John on the guitar, Entwistle was a far better bass player than Paul, and Roger was a better performer than any of the Beatles.
But, the Beatles are the Beatles. ns
noel --In its own way, it's
February 10, 2007 - 05:41 ET by Jack Bauernoel --
In its own way, it's probably a better album than any the Beatles did..
While I lurve The Who -- being a Liverpool born and bred native, I could never agree to that! White Album: Sgt. Pepper's, Rubber Soul, et al.
But that's the beauty of opinion, everyone is right in their own mind.
And I'll concede that it's The Who who get their songs on the three CSIs...
Okay, here's a thought. If CSI decide to change their themes to Beatles songs, what would they be.
CSI -- Magical Mystery Tour
CSI: Miami -- A Hard Day's Night
CSI: New York -- Don't Pass Me By
The Who, the rock opera, and what is it
February 10, 2007 - 06:13 ET by SportPoliticsThe Who, the rock opera, and what is it, and what I just discovered.
Ok, rock opera. I'll be sure to tell one of my favorite aunt's that attends real operas, she's just so out of it, and needs to enjoy The Who, instead. ( yeah, sure I will )
So , I go to wikilibia, and what do I find out ? The whole story about the Quadrophenia, which amounts to some acid trip liberal crybaby abuse break out of the shell and stop the man from opressing the kids, and allow them to see the evil leaders syndrome. ( Yeah, it was a downer - sorry 'bout that.)
Now it's like I just found out that Robert Redford is a spewing lib sex freak, and Hollywood is a seething leftist pit of insane activists...
I guess that's why in my youthful ignorance I never knew anything but enjoyment of most any rocky tune and had plenty of the lyrics incorrect ( since you couldn't hear what the H they were saying anyway ), and wasn't even vaguely aware it was some activistic call for society to heal itself or some story told about some horrifying one in a thousand tragedy some poor bloke and his family had to live through, etc. I was always surprised when a friend or acquiantance would reel off the names of the band members and know half their personal life's story, and then explain what the music was supposed to be about. Later, that became MTV music video interpretation, which was somehow loved just as much, and I guess is considered part of the genius of the performer for some, and a sort of secret inside information. ( Since noone really knows unless they readup on it and get a lyrics sheet, in many, many cases. )
So, the Beattles were often great, since you could actually understand the words they used in their songs. ( I'm sure there are a few exceptions. )
In closing, I'd like to share how far we've come, with a hard rockin' band that wonderfully, has the devil's ear just right: Judas Priest, from the album " Screaming for Vengeance", 1982.
Electric Eye
Up here in space
Im looking down on you
My lasers trace
Everything you do
You think youve private lives
Think nothing of the kind
There is no true escape
Im watching all the time
Im made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean
Have to love that, they were far ahead of their time, I mean they must have known all about Bush' wiretapping. :-)
How about this genius for capitalists, same album:
You've Got Another Thing Comin'
One life I'm gonna live it up
I'm takin' flight said I'll never get enough.
Stand tall I'm young and kinda proud
I'm on top as long as the music's loud.
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool 'cause it's a case of do or die.
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
If you think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another think comin'.
Ok, I think I've delivered too much abuse to the finer posters. :-)
That Wiki article quotes a W
February 10, 2007 - 14:16 ET by Del DolemonteThat Wiki article quotes a Who historian who claims that Tommy is in fact not a rock opera!
For my money, the finest "rock opera" released that year (1969) was "Arthur" by The Kinks.
Too much abuse? No, no...no
February 11, 2007 - 00:39 ET by UnsaneToo much abuse? No, no...not enough!!! (from one headbanger to another)
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Not that you asked me, Noel,
February 10, 2007 - 00:45 ET by Scout FinchNot that you asked me, Noel, but definitely Rubber Soul and Revolver, IMHO.
Scout
February 10, 2007 - 00:52 ET by Noel SheppardScout,
You like both of them better than Sergeant Pepper? ns
That said, what do you thin
February 10, 2007 - 01:14 ET by Howard_BealeThat said, what do you think their peak was musically? Less important, has anything touched that level in pop music since? ns
There's probably a dozen good answers for that, Noel. If pressed, I'd say "Abbey Road." And yourself?
And while there have been countless great pop acts since, I don't think any has managed to obtain their universal appeal and influence.
Howard
February 10, 2007 - 01:28 ET by Noel SheppardHoward,
I was never a big Abbey Road fan. That and Let it Be both make me too sad, as they represent the end.
I think their peak is the Sgt. Pepper/Rubber Soul/Revolver period. Those three albums are brilliant.
Yet, when it comes to the Beatles, I can watch "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help," and be right right back to my childhood. Amazing music in both as well.
Has anything touched that quality? Well, I think the Stones were pretty amazing as well. And, they're still around, and still performing great shows. Something to be said for that, don't you agree?
I think one could make the case that Hendrix changed music almost as much as the Beatles did. From a jazz perspective, you could probably make the case that Miles Davis had a similar impact.
We've grown up in an amazing period for music. Wonderfully, it is still evolving in a positive way as opposed to film which has been going backwards the last couple of decades despite the technological advancements. ns
The most highly underrated b
February 10, 2007 - 14:32 ET by Del DolemonteThe most highly underrated band from that era was The Kinks. Their two early "rock opera" records, "Arthur" and "Village Green Preservation Society" still sound as good today as they did when they first came out ("Arthur" was released just a few months after "Tommy").
Ray Davies could write a lyric just as well as John Lennon and Paul McCartney, IMHO. And still can! He finally got around to releasing his first solo album in 2006, and it's great.
Just saw the Letterman tribut
February 10, 2007 - 00:38 ET by mandrakeJust saw the Letterman tribute. It was very good. Sometimes even the MSM gets it right.
Mandrake
February 10, 2007 - 00:40 ET by Noel SheppardM,
That's late for me. Is it worth staying up for or recording? ns
Noel, it was just a good vers
February 10, 2007 - 00:45 ET by mandrakeNoel, it was just a good version of the classic "I Am the Walrus". Record if you want?
Odd! I feel just about the sa
February 10, 2007 - 01:03 ET by RW_the originalOdd! I feel just about the same as Noel except I feel eleven all over again..
RW
February 10, 2007 - 01:09 ET by Noel SheppardRW,
Yes, but that's easily explained because you're a conservative. ns
Noel, At eleven I was more of
February 10, 2007 - 01:19 ET by RW_the originalNoel, At eleven I was more of a Leave it to Beaver conservative on the verge of a few years of wild liberalism before returning to find adulthood and becoming a conservative. It probably wasn't, but somehow four seems like it would have been a smoother transition. Those were some wild times, can you believe how clean cut the Beatles look in those clips compared to what they were called at the time?
RW
February 10, 2007 - 01:31 ET by Noel SheppardRW,
Well, apparently Paul was the wildest of the four. They always had to get him two hotel rooms whereever they stayed. This is a family site, so I can't elaborate why. :-) ns
Beatles Trivia
February 10, 2007 - 01:37 ET by Carl KolchakNoel, do you know what their original name was, and who the original drummer was?
The Quarrymen and Tommy Moore
February 10, 2007 - 01:42 ET by RW_the originalThe Quarrymen and Tommy Moore!
That's pretty good and origin
February 10, 2007 - 01:47 ET by Carl KolchakThat's pretty good and original.
I was looking for Pete Best and Silver Beatles. I could be wrong. I also thought that they started out with 5 members too, and then switched to 4.
Carl, The Quarrymen was about
February 10, 2007 - 01:57 ET by RW_the originalCarl, The Quarrymen was about three names before the Silver Beetles, but Tommy Moore was never really part of the band just sort of a throw in since they didn't have a regular drummer so it's probably only half credit. Pete Best didn't show up until 1960, but may well have been the first drummer that was really a band member.
Cool information. Never had
February 10, 2007 - 02:02 ET by Carl KolchakCool information. Never had heard of the Quarrymen before.
Anyone else want to break out some trivia?
Silver Beatles
February 11, 2007 - 09:23 ET by AppyAmericanAs a senior in high school, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard the first song that I ever heard "The Silver Beatles" play on a car radio. Probably the only mention I ever heard of that name. Shortly thereafter, it was just the "Beatles". Great column guys, but delaying a trip to WalMart. :-)
oops, that was for Noel. Sorr
February 10, 2007 - 01:44 ET by RW_the originaloops, that was for Noel. Sorry Carl!
Carl
February 10, 2007 - 01:52 ET by Noel SheppardCarl,
Well, most might say Pete Best. However, the original drummer for the Quarrymen was supposedly named Collin Hanton. Rumor has it that Paul, believe it or not, was next, when they were called Johnny and the Moondogs. Tommy Moore played for the Silver Beatles, to be replaced by Norman Chapman. And Best replaced him, to eventually be replaced by Starr. ns
Excellent
February 10, 2007 - 01:56 ET by Carl KolchakVery impressive. Was I right about there being 5 original members of the Beatles, or was it 4?
What's the symbolism on the "Abbey Road" cover all about?
Carl
February 10, 2007 - 02:01 ET by Noel SheppardCarl,
Five was the right number. Stuart Sutcliffe was number five.
The assumption about the symbolism of the Abbey Road cover surrounded the rumors that Paul was dead. That's why he supposedly was barefoot, which apparently is some mythological reference to death...or something like that.
These guys knew how to market! ns
I'll take ashot at the Abbey
February 10, 2007 - 10:31 ET by midnight cowboyI'll take ashot at the Abbey Road Paul is dead symbolsim.
True, Paul is barefoot which supposedly is how some eastern religion buries their people.
Crossing the street Paul is out of step with the other three Beatles who are in sync with their stride. At first you dont' notice but at a closer look, The other three have their left foot forward and their right foot behind them (or visa versa, I don't remember which) Paul is the exact opposite.
Paul has a cigarette in his right hand. Paul was left handed.
The license plate on the VW beetle parked on the left reads "28IF" where "if" Paul lived he would have been "28" years old.
They way the Beatles are dressed: John Lennon, is dressed in all white supposedly referring to a Christ like figure.
Ringo: in a black suit as the mortician.
Paul: no shoes
George: dungarees and a casual shirt, dressed as the undertaker
On the flip side of the album cover if I remember correctly there is a crack going through the "S" in Beatles symbolizing the band is broken or missing a member.
Growing up I thought all that symbolism crap was pretty cool. I think I wasted alot of time.
Beatles in NYC
February 10, 2007 - 03:04 ET by Al TealI was a small town nine-year-old from Georgia when my parents and I were in New York City to visit my aunt at the same time the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan show. I was very excited to be in the same city with my favorite band. On my best band list, the Beatles are now behind Zep and Queen and maybe more. But, the Beatles made great music and will remain a legend for many many years.
Al Teal
Ok, ok I'll watch the Beattles video
February 10, 2007 - 05:24 ET by SportPoliticsOk, ok I'll watch the Beattles video...
Before my time but I have a few comments. First of all, it's nice they wore suits,wish more would nowadays. Second, I like the haircuts, much better than todays musical entertainers in most cases. Third, I don't quite understand the screaming girls, as the timing of their screams was strange to say the least, perhaps it's canned or singing "oooooh ooooh ooo" evokes a scream. Certainly can understand the society beginning to unravel when there's a thousand screaming young women, and the guys are sitting there clapping a bit instead of covering their ears.
Overall it was better than I expected, and the thought was as they started the third song that they really cranked out the music. They've got some really cool hits that are very nice compared to todays standards, and we'd be much better off with them, than the raging satanic crap young groups put out today, and the general garbage almost every performer spews out as well.
Satanic crap? Which groups
February 10, 2007 - 08:31 ET by Equinox137Satanic crap? Which groups are those?
This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive - it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment.
Don't forget "ragi
February 10, 2007 - 10:42 ET by Rupert CadellDon't forget "raging." There's good modern music out there Sports. It's just not on MTV or the radio.
Try Iron and Wine, Devendra Banhart, Jenny Lewis, Cat Power . . .
Do *any* rock groups wear sui
February 10, 2007 - 14:35 ET by Del DolemonteDo *any* rock groups wear suits these days? The only band I've seen in concert recently wearing suits was Lyle Lovett's band.
Lennon/McCartney 50th anniversay on July 6
February 10, 2007 - 05:50 ET by Jack BauerHere's a great piece of trivia for your diaries. The first week in July will witness a momentus anniversay...
I am, of course, talking about July 6...
On July 6 1957, fifty years ago that day, John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met..
The venue was an upmarket suburb of Liverpool at the Wooton Parish Church Garden Fete (and crowning of the Rose Queen).
At 8pm in the Church Hall: The Quarry Men Skiffle Group.
John was on stage singing Be-Bop-A-Lula when he first noticed Paul.
I remember that night as well
February 10, 2007 - 08:26 ET by msh1973I remember that night as well, I was a little older. My sister and I were glued to the tube. I actually saw the Beatles in concert at the Fair Grounds in Indianapolis when I was about 10 years old. A much sweeter time in my life. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
This must be a baby-boomer th
February 10, 2007 - 08:29 ET by Equinox137This must be a baby-boomer thing. I've always thought the Beatles were overrated.
This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive - it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment.
Yeah, hip-hop is so much cooler.
February 10, 2007 - 09:33 ET by acaiguanaYeah, hip-hop is so much cooler.
Just hangin'
:-)
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
I hate hip-hop actually. LO
February 11, 2007 - 04:26 ET by Equinox137I hate hip-hop actually. LOL
Personally, it's Led Zep, Iron Maiden, and old Metallica for me....Some of that old so-called 'satanic' crap, I guess.
This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive - it's an emotional response. No, not vengeance. Punishment.
Hip-hop ain't music anyway!!!
February 11, 2007 - 04:34 ET by gfrrmanHip-hop ain't music anyway!!!! Rap CRAP!!! Give me Zep, Deep Purple, early Grand Funk Railroad, Foghat, etc and I'm a happy camper. Abbey Road is a favorite too.
Best rock album...Who's Next
February 10, 2007 - 11:37 ET by RangerTomBest rock album...Who's Next by the Who. It was also the best album cover, ever.
Screw diversity, celebrate competency
Ranger
February 10, 2007 - 11:45 ET by Noel SheppardRanger,
I don't know. Great album, but the best rock album? That might be a stretch.
As for album covers, you like that better than "Sticky Fingers?" Or, "Her Satanic Majesty's Request" which was 3D if you recall?
Of course, one of my favorites is Zappa's "We're Only in it for the Money" which was a spoof of Sgt. Pepper. ns
Thank you, Beatles for giving
February 10, 2007 - 11:37 ET by Roger the ShrubberThank you, Beatles, for giving us Yoko Ono, the unlistenable "Hare Krishna" song, "Caveman", the peg-legged ex-model receiving $50 million, and 8,000 Beatles rip-off bands that clutter college radio these days...
And thank you for giving us t
February 10, 2007 - 12:06 ET by AlgerHissAnd thank you for giving us that skinny, sissified little Marxist piece of garbage, John Lennon.
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
Boy, and for a minute there,
February 11, 2007 - 13:51 ET by balboaBoy, and for a minute there, I thought you were going to say something stupid.
Hey, Caveman was funny! Wh
February 10, 2007 - 12:09 ET by JerryHey, Caveman was funny!
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Remember Ringo as the horny M
February 10, 2007 - 12:59 ET by Del DolemonteRemember Ringo as the horny Mexican gardener in the film "Candy"?
Atook Zug Zug Lana!I do have
February 10, 2007 - 21:13 ET by Roger the ShrubberAtook Zug Zug Lana!
I do have to admit it had its moments. And very young Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long and the fat guy from the Doritos commercials, Avery Schreiber.
I can't believe I missed the
February 10, 2007 - 21:24 ET by balboaI can't believe I missed the Caveman discussion!
Dennis Quaid's finest work!
the unlistenable "Har
February 10, 2007 - 12:53 ET by Jack Bauerthe unlistenable "Hare Krishna" song,
Congratulations shrubbster -- you have just earned the wrath of millions of bald, long-robbed, chanting, bell-ringing, book-passing, drum-beating Krishnarites worldwide.
You'll never sleep again.
So I've pissed of the entire
February 10, 2007 - 21:06 ET by Roger the ShrubberSo I've pissed of the entire population of Portland, Oregon?
Damn.
You are a funny man, Rog. E
February 11, 2007 - 14:54 ET by Chicago RepublicanYou are a funny man, Rog. Entertaining to the hilt, just like LOD, except of course you're sane and correct most of the time.
Yes, I was only 7 (my sis 6)
February 10, 2007 - 11:57 ET by winston smithYes, I was only 7 (my sis 6) but I still remember that night quite vividly. My dad actually filmed the event. alternating between the Beatles on our old Zenith console B/W and back to me and my sister happily clapping our hands to "She Loves You", I think (no sound on the old 16mm home movie cameras those days). Anyway, I've been viewing my "Beatles Anthology" videos and "Ed Sullivan Presents The Beatles" DVD for the last week. WFB has said that the Beatles music was "god awful", this is one of the few areas of disagreement I have had with Buckley in the many years I have been reading his columns and books. As keen as Buckley is, he was never able to grasp the simplicity and sheer perfection in the Lennon/McCartney songwriting technique which is a shame since much of their music and influences are based on the early 20th century popular song format.
As keen as Buckley is, he w
February 10, 2007 - 13:13 ET by Jack BauerAs keen as Buckley is, he was never able to grasp the simplicity and
sheer perfection in the Lennon/McCartney songwriting technique
Winston... there was a great documentary series made in 2004 by Howard Goodall.
This is what he said about those simple lads...
LENNON/McCARTNEY From a standing start, knowing only a handful of chords between them, John Lennon and Paul McCartney turned themselves into the most influential composers of the late twentieth century.
Their music wasn’t just immensely popular. It also proved that traditional western harmony – the main building block of European music – still had plenty to offer. (Even though avant-garde composers had turned their back on it.)
By mixing pop and classical techniques, and cross-fertilising them with Indian, and electronic music, The Beatles refreshed and revitalised western harmony. They also transformed the recording studio from a dull box where you recaptured your live sound, into a musical laboratory, of exciting and completely new sounds. This was one of the most crucial advances in the way popular music was to be produced.
But Lennon & McCartney didn’t just influence all popular music that followed them. They influenced classical music too. The leading classical composers of our own era have turned back to traditional harmony. More than anyone, Lennon & McCartney prefigured this trend. They showed that the old musical forms could be refashioned and refreshed, to make music that was both exciting and popular, and sophisticated and new.
They, more than anyone, saved the western musical tradition from extinction, and gave it a new purpose and a direction. Not bad going for two boys who met at a local church fete and taught themselves their instruments.
Well shut my mouth! And h
February 10, 2007 - 13:31 ET by winston smithWell shut my mouth! And here I, for many years, believed Buckley to be a Beatle-hater. I most certainly remember reading this in National Reveiw around the time of the first "Anthology" releases in '95 or '96. I can't recall the writer but he was talking of Buckley's loathing of "Beatle music". Maybe Buckley said this after John's "we're bigger than Jesus" comment in '66. A lot of people became "anti-Beatle" after that episode. Anyway, either I was mistaken or Buckley has had a Beatles ephiphany over the years.
Winston -- what we have her
February 10, 2007 - 13:37 ET by Jack BauerWinston -- what we have here is a failure to communicate. It wasn't BUCKLEY who said that...
It was musical composer called Howard Goodall who did a terrific documentary series on major 20th Century composers, Cole Porter, Beatles, etc
Ooops. For some reason I thou
February 10, 2007 - 14:20 ET by winston smithOoops. For some reason I thought you were attributing Goodall's comments to Buckley. Sorry for the misread.
my howard goodall threshhold
February 10, 2007 - 14:27 ET by tumbler_2007My Goodall threshhold is high; I can't buy his idea that the Beatles saved western musical tradition. Well, we all exaggerate, Yeah.
Buckley was closer to the mark, since he is himself an accomplished musician. His musical taste is incredibly refined. Not many typical music-lovers of our time have ever risen to the level of his tastes; but being typical is no reason not to receive a great man's correction. He knows much better what would save our traditions. I take him very seriously, Jack.
Beatles are fun, but could be much better. I liked a few of their songs, but not as much as a single Cole Porter song, or any forty bars ever composed by George Gershwin. They were real powerhouses of traditional western music.
The Beatles had some musical grace too. I know that many good people remember them with affection, and that's their biggest accomplishment. One or two of their best songs will live on, in a half-life such as Stephen Foster lives today. Gershwin will never die. He was the rarest of talents. Like Lennon or McCartney, he grew up composing and playing by ear. No schooling at all till he'd had actual hits on Broadway. The he refined his composing, he studied hard to learn how and why a composition sounds top-notch and convincing. He achieved a master's touch. Unbelievably, he died at only 36, (don't quote me) at the top of the musical world.
Listen to "It Ain't Necessarily So," just to name a so-so Gershwin song. Nobody else could've written it. Just hard to believe!
I didn't know that Gershwin w
February 10, 2007 - 15:10 ET by winston smithI didn't know that Gershwin was a late-schooler. I still remember trying to play bits from "Rhapsody In Blue" fantasy on piano for the first time. Excedingly difficult piece of music, for me anyway and I consider myself adavanced on piano which I have played since I was 9. Artists like Gershwin come along every century or so. As far as the Beatles go, I confidently believe that more than just "one or two" of their best songs will live on for generations to come (if I understand you correctly) if for no other reason, the huge boomer population that loved their music will continue to hold it in high regard with promotions, lectures, conventions all over the world, writings and documentaries just as people to this day, generations later, remember the greatness of Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Kahn, Arlen & co. who are immortal because of the folks who reviered their music in their day. Triple that with the Beatles in the boomer generation. There's just simply been too much written about and too much music bought and played, for only a couple of Beatle songs to squeak through to succeeding generations.
My personal Gershwin favorite is "Someone to Watch Over Me" a favorite of my late dad's and sometimes I sit down at the piano and play it in his honor. Etta James did a great jazz cover of it some years ago.
Sure, winston, Maybe a lot
February 10, 2007 - 17:01 ET by tumbler_2007Sure, winston,
Maybe a lot of The Beatles repertory will survive a long time. But that it saved western music, necessarily? Not very likely.
I'm a record collector since the early 1960's, with what can absolutely rank as a "catholic" taste. Heard it AAAALL. I always believed in raising my taste bar, not attaching myself to a period or an era. Eventually, I outgrew some composer and grew up another notch, though none of the great ones can be discarded. Today I might listen to Brahms or to Chopin. Maybe to Rogers and Hart, Eric Satie, or back to Mozart.
Guess what I love? Flamenco. Lots of Mexican music, the boleros. Opera. But I'll sometimes listen to Al Jolson, Al Jarreau, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald. Would you believe Louis Armstrong? I love him. Never have cared for Streisand or Lloyd Webber.
Now, I like the Beatles music in the main, but it ain't rock n
February 10, 2007 - 12:09 ET by acaiguanaNow, I like the Beatles music in the main, but it ain't rock n roll.
Rock 'n' roll is the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly and Little Richard.
:-)
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
aca different ages-different cultures
February 10, 2007 - 12:39 ET by misterbillaca different ages-different cultures. I am older--Frank Sinatra, Bing crosby, etal, BUUUUT I loved the Beatles, could not stand the two of the three you mentioned. Big Bopper and Little Richard, to me, made horrible ear offending noises ,played to music. But what can you expect from an old guy who thought that Ricky Nelson sounded pretty good.
"Truth exists, only falsehoods must be invented."
I think you're mostly correct
February 10, 2007 - 12:48 ET by winston smithI think you're mostly correct, aca. The Beatles were a lot of different types of music kind of "rolled into one" and not always rock. There were tunes with a mild latin beat like "From Me To You", "Ask Me Why" and "Besame Mucho", Devil in Her Heart, soul tunes like "Kansas City", "Some Fun Tonght", "She's A Woman", "Chains", Swing: "All My Loving", "Tell Me Why". Country tunes like "Honey Don't" and "Act Naturally", old time love ballads like "Til There Was You", Honey Pie, When I'm 64 and "Mr. Moonlight" and at least three other musical styles. Then of course, there was R&R stuff like "R&R Music", "I saw Her Standing There", "Day Tripper", "She Loves You" and later, after the Beatles had complete control over making, producing and marketing of their music "Revolution", "Helter-Skelter", "Yer Blues" "Get Back" and "Come Together". But you're right, to most of those in the younger generations the Beatles isn't really always Rock and I would say that's mostly true. But the times were different back then. You needed to have a "sound"; a gimmick. You were justified in playing all different types of music because it wasn't that easy attracting a large audience to sell tons of records back then. So you played different types of music to appeal to different tastes. Most people (especially kids) simply did not have lots of disposable cash back then and if they spent money on music it was probably in the form of a "single" or "45". Even Elivis's albums never sold as well as his famous RCA singles did. I can tell you that my paper boy route in 1968 helped with the family income with a few dollars (and I mean a few) left over for gum, baseball cards and other pre-teen paraphenalia --- definately not enought to buy a record album ("steeply" priced back then at $3.49!). So if a record company was going to spend scads of money to promote a band of "unknowns", they wanted to be sure they could appeal to the largest audience and hope to recoup some of their investment. Nowadays, the music is geard for a "specific" type of audience and over the last 4 decades or so the record industry has discovered many new and innovative ways to market their products successfully to different types of listeners and still make big profits. This would have been unheard of in the early 60s. But also remember the newer generations have tons more disposable money than the boomers and before.
Blasphemy! The Beatles could
February 10, 2007 - 12:51 ET by Del DolemonteBlasphemy! The Beatles could rock and roll with the best of them. Their early covers of 50s rock songs absolutely wailed (for examples, I submit "Rock and Roll Music", "Bad Boy", "Kansas City", all from the mid 60s), and for their own material, "Helter Skelter" is definitely a rock and roll hall of famer.
del -- correct sir. The Bea
February 10, 2007 - 12:56 ET by Jack Bauerdel -- correct sir. The Beatles could do and did EVERYTHING.
They invented most of what we call modern music. But their influences were early American Delta blues, R&B and R&R.
Naw, they were imitators of rock 'n' roll. Fats, Chantilly Lace
February 10, 2007 - 13:19 ET by acaiguanaNaw, they were imitators of rock 'n' roll. Chantilly Lace? Fats? Elvis?
Naw...
Nice try though. For a buncha Limeys they did alright in the US markets.
:-)
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
Bob Wills many times claimed
February 10, 2007 - 14:25 ET by Del DolemonteBob Wills many times claimed that in fact he was the one who "invented" rock and roll in the 1940s! One of the people who played Bob's style of music, the guy who many pundits credit with popularizing rock and roll, Bill Haley, led and played in several Western Swing bands in the 40s and 50s.
BTW Mr. Wills will be honored Sunday night at the Grammy Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award! Asleep at the Wheel's Ray Benson, longtime Wills fiddler Johnny Gimble, and newcomer Carrie Underwood will perform a Wills tribute.
Del... talk about odd. I'm
February 11, 2007 - 05:29 ET by Jack BauerDel... talk about odd.
I'm not familiar with Mr. Wills.. but five minutes after I read your post I picked the book I'm reading, The Hot Kid by Elmore Leonard...
Started reading from page 162. On page 166 I get to this paragraph..
"You know who's appearing at the Cain's ballroom all this week? The Light Crusty Doughboys featuring Bob Wills. The ad in the paper calls them the hottest hillb