The Beatles totally took over our young
lives. We were drawing pictures of them, collecting their trading
cards, buying their records and getting all we could of this phenomenon
from across the pond.

I immediately wanted to be Paul McCartney,
and this meant the rebellious act of growing my hair began. It was a
constant fight with my father about the length of my bangs. They had to
be in my eyes.

As we watched the Beatles perform, I can still
recall that sense of euphoria. There was definitely something magical
about the music and the performers. They had a mesmerizing quality
about them that totally consumed us. Every time there was a new 45rpm
record out, we had to go down to the Record Shop in Davis Square and
buy it.

My friend Sharon M recalls: "I remember hearing my
friends talk about them in the Brown School playground before class and
wondering to myself why Ed Sullivan would feature insects on his show,
and what possible entertainment value that would have."

The
Beatles were the reason I wanted to play guitar. Me and millions of
other kids around the world. Then came the onslaught of Beatles
merchandise. There were the lunch boxes and buttons, the Beatle wigs
and the collector cards with the bubble gum, and of course – the Beatle
boots, wig and official suit (my friend Pat O 'Neil's father bought him
one). Mickey Finn's, the men's store formally in Davis Square, actually
sold those Beatles suits. A Beatles lunchbox from 1965 with the thermos
was going for $1,100.00 on eBay.

To this day when I hear "She
Loves You" or "I Want to Hold Your Hand," it brings back very fond
memories. We used to sit around and draw pictures of the Beatles while
playing their 45's over and over. We knew every word, and we couldn't
get enough. Those 45's are now 45 years old! A lot of the fans of 50's
doowop music actually hated the Beatles and their music, but we were
ready for the invasion. Some of you were lucky enough to actually see
the Beatles live.

My friend Mary Ellen recalls: "When I found
out they were coming to Boston Garden, of course I wanted to go. My dad
(may he rest in peace) went in to the Boston Garden to get tickets for
me and a friend to go. The tickets were $4.50, $5.50 and $6.50. When I
found out my dad had not gotten the most expensive – $6.50, I was
disappointed. So he went back in to get two more. Now he's stuck with 2
extra tickets. So my dad at age 40 (almost 41) went to see the Beatles
and took Eileen (her sister) who was not quite 10 years old yet. My dad
would often tell the story of how scared he was that night when he felt
the Boston Garden actually shaking from everyone stomping their feet
and going crazy. What I remember is that from the moment they came out,
through the entire set, you could barely hear them because everyone was
screaming so loud and kept it up the entire time."

Another
friend of mine, Eileen C, had this great Beatles story: "Years after
the event happened, my sister and I were going through an old trunk and
found the outfit she wore to her first Beatles concert at Boston
Garden. It had a skin tight straight skirt with a fitted jacket. It was
bright orange and olive green with large white flowers. To go with
this, she had olive green high heels and a matching pocketbook (she
never missed the 1/2 price sale at Baker's shoes). She teased her
beautiful red hair all up and put it in a bun. She completed the look
with ghoulish white lipstick! I also remember playing the Beatles board
game and everybody always wanted to be Paul. Ringo was the booby prize,
just like Poindexter in the dating game. I remember seeing "A Hard Days
Night" at the drive-in with my friend Susan. We were in our pajamas and
much to his dismay, her father agreed to take us. Parents did not like
the Beatles. My father called them long haired beatniks and sang "I
want to hold your hand ya ya ya" (very sarcastically). My dad bought a
brand new car and told us the radio didn't work because he didn't want
us to listen to it when we went on our long rides after Sunday mass. My
brother Jimmy started to let his hair grow to look like Paul and my
Father told him to get it cut. Jimmy said it was the style and my
Father said only sissies have long hair, get your damn hair cut! Off to
Dente's Barber Shop he went." My good old friend Billy Connors says: "I
was 8 years old when the Beatles first appeared on Ed Sullivan on Feb.
9 1964. I remember watching intently and at that moment I knew what I
wanted to do with my life. I remember turning to my parents and saying
"I want an electric guitar." I'm still playing today."

Thanks Billy, Eileen, Sharon and Mary Ellen for sharing your stories with me.

My
own sister saw the Beatles along with 24,000 other fans at Suffolk
Downs on August 18th 1966. I remember being very upset that I couldn't
go. I was lucky enough to see Paul McCartney a few years ago at the TD
Bank North Garden. It was so great I shed tears of happiness. Last
summer I took the family to see Ringo Starr at the Bank of America
Pavilion. Two out of 4 ain't bad.

So it was 45 years ago that
our lives were changed by four lads for Liverpool who came into our
living rooms and into our souls. Though we watched in black and white,
The Beatles added vivid colors to the fabric of our young lives. No
other music can stir up the memories, feelings and emotions like the
Beatles music can – at least for this baby-boomer. Some of you may
insist that Glen Miller, Frank Sinatra, The Flamingos, the Crests, the
Platters, Buddy Holly or Gene Vincent played the best music ever. They
did. It's America and we can listen to what we love. How lucky every
generation has been growing up with such great music! I still can't let
the tunes or the long hair go, so I will just say, The Beatles 4-ever!
I'm a little worried about this generation's music, but stay tuned.