We boomer women well know that certain events were life transforming—both for each of us as individuals and for our generation as a whole. Two such events took place within the period of three months…. a mere 50 years ago!
Back in late 1963 and early 1964, many of us experienced both the first death of someone we loved (President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1993) and our first heartthrob crush thanks to Ed Sullivan (the Beatles appearance on Feb. 9, 1964).
Even more interesting the days of the week aligned the same as they did in 2004. The British Invasion began on a Friday (February 7th) when the Beatles landed in New York. I was lucky enough to be home sick and actually saw them leave the plane. It made the news way out in San Francisco!
Like many of my boomer sisters, it was love at first sight for me. It did, however, take a few days for me to settle on my favorite—Paul—but each of these lively lads had their special charms. I watched with envy as the girls in Ed Sullivan’s audience were visibly overcome… merely by being within screaming distance of the Fab Four in the flesh.
Today, I find myself flooded with tender memories of holding hands with my boyfriend watching A Hard Day’s Night and hearing my heroes sing the beautiful song, “If I Fell in Love With You.” Or the first time I danced with my beau to Paul’s haunting “Yesterday” and tried desperately to ignore the fact that beads of sweat were forming under my beehive.
Yes, the Beatles were far more than a rock group to us boomers. Through their beautiful melodies, creative and clever lyrics, and the power of their mop top hair, they brought our generation out of a very dark time. From mourning to mop top fenzy… these were truly the moments of our lives.
Eileen Williams says
Thank you, Janet, for catching my (30 year) mistakes! I guess I don’t have to prove that I (and my brain) are well over 50!!!
Janet Cole says
I remember both these moments well, even though it was from the perspective of the UK. I was going to retweet, until I noticed the error.
You might want to correct the dates quoted as in the nineties to the sixties (as you correctly say, 50 years ago).
“Back in late 1993 and early 1994, many of us experienced both the first death of someone we loved (President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1993) and our first heartthrob crush thanks to Ed Sullivan (the Beatles appearance on Feb. 9, 1994).”
I do enjoy your tweets.
With best wishes,
Janet (Chester Gransnet Local Editor)