Oh, how I was in love with Paul McCartney at age ten. Oh, how I am in love with Paul McCartney at age sixty-six! It’s hard to believe that on this day in history, February 7, 1964, The Beatles came to America for the first time. They landed in New York to a huge group of fans screaming and yelling their heads off, and I would have been right there with them. This day is as important as Columbus not finding America! This should be a holiday! And we certainly know that I am not alone in my feelings for the Fab Four, or The British Invasion of 1964.

My husband is equally a fan of The Beatles. He was able to see them in concert on their second tour of the U.S. He went with friends and his sister. He says it was hard to hear the music because not only were they in the nosebleed section, the girls screamed the whole time. Lucky for him, though. The closest I ever got to any thing related to a concert was my sixth grade chorus director had us sing Beatles songs for the spring concert.

Many years later, the group had split and did solo acts or formed their own bands. My husband was teaching computer science at the time. He had a homeroom in the morning which one of the duties was to take role call. As he was performing his task, he heard a lot of arguing and fussing from a group of girls. “Whoa, girls!” “What’s going on?” inquired Mr. Wootten. The girl with the most concern spoke right up. “She says Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings?” Dennis lumbered back to his desk trying not to laugh. The class was doing enough of that. “Yes, he was in a band called The Beatles,” he answered. Then he finished role call. Smirking, I’m sure.

In our recreation room, we have about ten albums and covers in frames decorating one wall. My husband can name just about every song on every album without looking. If you holler out a song, he’ll tell you the album, the year, the writer, and all of that. So, needless to say, he’s been a big fan for years. Our eleven-year old granddaughter looks at us like we’re nuts. The Beatles???? Oh, Nana!

Now it’s been 56 years since they landed on American soil, and nothing has changed except the loss of two band members, unfortunately. There are still fans, they are legends of the music world, and they are still playing rock and roll. John Lennon said, “The thing the sixties did was to show us possibilities and responsibilities that we all had. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibilities.” I believe they utilized that to the fullest. My favorite quote is what all of them said in a song, “Love is all you need.” On that note, do you have a favorite Beatles song? Until then… have a sensational Sunday, be safe, and I love you!