Influenced by early American Rock and Roll they took Britain by storm in the early 1960’s and ‘Beatlemania’ quickly spread to the United States. They sold millions of records worldwide and then began to star in movies. In 1966 at the height of their success they stopped touring to concentrate on their studio recordings. In 1967 they produced the album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ the result was an album considered by many to be the masterpiece of popular music.

John Lennon was often the most outspoken of the four, in 1966 he claimed they were more popular than Jesus, this caused an uproar in some of the bible belt states with mass burnings of Beatles records as a protest. He became an anti-war activist and even flirted with communism as shown in his lyrics of solo hit ‘Imagine’ recorded after the band split up in 1970.

In 1975, Lennon dropped out of the music business as he wished to spend more time with his Japanese born wife Yoko Ono and their son, Sean. He made a comeback album in 1980, acclaiming his love for his wife, an album that included tracks written by her. On December 8th of that same year their idyllic peaceful life was shattered by 25 year old obsessed fan Mark Chapman. Lennon was shot four times at close range and died on the way to hospital. Chapman had collected the autograph of his idol earlier that day and after the shooting remained at the scene until he was arrested by police.

Demonstrations of mourning were held all around the world. Psychiatrists classed Chapman as a borderline psychotic, he was instructed to plead insanity. He chose instead to plead guilty to murder, he received a sentence of twenty years to life. In the year 2000 he was denied a parole hearing by the New York State. Instead he was informed that his ‘viscous and violent act was fuelled by his need to be acknowledged.’ He remains behind bars in New York States Attica Prison.

A section of Central Park across from the building where they lived was landscaped in his memory by his widow, it is called ‘Strawberry Fields.’

Image via Wikipedia

Last week I was blessed with Paul McCartney tickets at Fenway Park in Boston. An early birthday gift from my thoughtful brother.

I had never been to Fenway so was excited about that but seeing one of the Beatles was to me a dream come true. I was just a babe when they came to the United States back in 1964 and never got the privilege to see them in concert.

Now in my 40’s I got the chance to see Paul McCartney. At 64 years old the whispers were wondering if a man of this age could possibly bring to the stage anything worth watching.

I must say for 64 years young Paul still has all the right stuff! Amazing sound and the beauty of his voice made me want to weep. All the songs he played brought the audience back to 1964 when the Beatles were high on the charts of success.

He arrived on Stage dressed in a black or dark blue suit. Handsome as always with a smile on his face. Welcoming Boston to his show. After a few songs on on that warm summer night he decided it was time to shed his jacket and underneath he sported a red pair of suspenders. You know what they say about a man who wears suspenders they are romantics! With fans on their feet and girls screaming as loud as they could he played for over two hours nonstop.

Image via Wikipedia

His venue ranged from old Beatles song, Hey Jude to Wings, Band on the Run. It sounded as if the entire group was once more in the stadium. When I  closed my eyes I  could see the Beatles singing to me. With pictures of John, Ringo and George flashing in the back ground tributes was made by Paul for all the fallen Beatles. To the right of the stage were red neon lighting up four walkways in remembrance of what used to be. Beautifully done and much appreciated by all.

Although you can tell he has aged he still knows how to make the woman scream and is the soft spoken gent he  has always been.

He spoke to the audience great words of what happened back then and of the members themselves. Even though it is 2009 Beatlemania still lives on.