From the GBD website. Visiting Beatlemania, in Hamburg, 2011. Me hiding in the SPLHCB mural. Hamburg, 2011. Strawberry Fields in Central Park, NY, NY. Serenity in Central Park dedicated to John by Yoko. Dedication of SF as a Garden of Peace. Indeed.
Today is Global Beatles Day commemorating 55 years since The Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” on the first around-the-world satellite broadcast that reached 5 continents.
A few years ago I was thinking about how important The Beatles’ music is to the world and remembered that I wrote a little piece about this very topic a while ago, so I dug around, found it and am sharing it here:
In 1984, when I was around 13, I purchased the “20 Greatest Hits The Beatles” cassette using my babysitting money. I already appreciated the solo works of Paul, George, John and Ringo and of course was stunned when John’s life was taken away so violently in 1980. That aside, I knew most of the popular songs from the 20 Greatest Hits however I am convinced that they just sounded better on my Walkman because I paid for the album myself. I listened to that tape so much that I wore it out, which prompted me to move on to explore all of The Beatles’ music. Best. Idea. Ever.
Little did I know that the music and lyrics of The Beatles would consistently bring joy to my life, particularly when I needed it the most. Rubber Soul. Magical Mystery Tour. Abbey Road. Revolver…and of course my favorite: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I have read biographies, watched documentaries and even walked in the steps of the Fab Four in Liverpool, London and Hamburg.
Their story has so much to do with impeccable timing & simply going for it: forming the band, replacing Pete with Ringo, bravely producing their revolutionary lyrics and sounds in less than one decade; abandoning live performances and even disbanding. All of these factors combined (plus so many more) created an avalanche of groundbreaking music that changed the world.
When I think of their individual childhoods and subsequent collaboration – it inspires me that innovation and changing the game are within my reach.