Musical memories: The Beatles

by Mary Cardamon

I am to young to remember "The Beatles," I was not born until 1966, my first musical memories of "The Fab Four," dates clear back to the early to mid seventies.

I first became introduced to "The Fabs" from listening to the radio when I was about eight or nine years old.

I immediately became a die hard fan. I started to collect their albums when I was in my early teen years.

Every generation discovers "The Beatles."

I am sure glad that I did. I cant think of any band or solo act past or present, can even come close to be prepared to "The Beatles."

No other songwriter can even compare with the mega songwriting talents of John Lennon and Paul Mc Cartney.

John and Paul are and were the Rodgers and Hammerstein's of their generation.

Back in 1988, In Ames, Iowa at Jack Trice Stadium, I saw the only former Beatle I ever saw perform in concert.

It was Paul. Before the show began they showed a video of John Lennon signing lead on two songs.

One of the songs was "All You Need Is Love". It had wonderful footage of "The Beatles" during their entire carrier of performing together.

Paul is the one and only ex Beatle who I have ever seen perform live.

I will forever remember watching the Monday night football game between the New England Patriots and The Miami Dolphins.

That dreadful night when Howard Cossel had to announce to the whole world that was watching that, John had been shot outside The Dakota Apartment Building, after returning home from a recording session with Yoko.

To this day, twenty-eight years later, I can still hear Cossel say, pronounced dead on arrival at Roosevelt Hospital.

George Harrison was also a brilliant songwriter. I think that he was a better guitar player than John or Paul.

He was the one who introduced the other Beatles to eastern religions and philosophies.

Even though he had to play second fiddle to John and Paul during his entire Beatle career.

He also introduced the musical instrument the sitar to John, Paul and Ringo.

Without Georges outside interests, Beatle fans would never have been able to listen to "Norwegian Wood", "Love You Too", and the "The Inner Light."

To this day, I think that George still deserves more credit for all these things that he brought into "The Beatles". I heard the news today oh boy.

I will always remember were I was when I heard that my beloved George was gone.

I was watching CNN news the morning after George passed away.

I had a lump in my throat and I was forever heartbroken, when I heard that he was gone.

George, along with Paul, was always my favorite members of the band.

My favorite songs that George wrote for "The Beatles" are, "Here Comes The Sun", "Something", and "My Guitar Gently Weeps."

I will always treasure my memories of "The Beatles," the good a lot more than the bad. They have brought me a lot of smiles and tears.

They have also brought me a lot of happiness though out the years.

I will always be grateful to "The Beatles," and they will forever be in my heart and soul.

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