On February 9, 1964, Ed Sullivan welcomed The Beatles to make their US television debut by performing live in the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City on The Ed Sullivan Show before what turned out to be a television audience of an unprecedented 77 million people. The first song The Beatles played was "All My Loving".
Such a success it was, The Beatles remained at The Warwick Hotel and performed again the following Sunday, promoting their new single, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".
The Beatles are part of the fabric of America, four talented individuals from Liverpool, perhaps divinely inspired to meet, who transformed music and inspired a collection of musical artists, many of whom comprise what has been referred to as part of the British Invasion during the mid to late sixties.
It is worth noting the innovation exhibited by this group is second to none, emerging with what many consider these days as pop music, to releasing the first real hard rock album in "The Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and continuing to release stellar efforts individually after the breakup of the band. Each had great success, with both John Lennon and Paul McCartney each individually releasing singles considered among the best of all time.
While many these days do not speak of The Beatles as one of their favorite bands, only musical nincompoops fail to adequately recognize their place as one of, if not the greatest, band of all time. The greater majority of music composed by The Beatles are a brilliant, timeless collection of art, which will never be matched, particularly considering the small window of time, 1962-70, the band was together.
Without a portfolio of tunes second to none, would anyone be crazy enough to attempt to list the best Beatles songs in order? Many have, and the variances are welcomed and no doubt personal preference. As such. few can mount a legitimate argument against any such list.
Below is my list, a Top 25, which is mostly comprised of The Beatles early material.
1. In My Life
2. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
3. Abbey Road Medley
4. Revolution
5. And I Love Her
6. I Wanna Hold Your Hand
7. If I Fell
8. Here There and Everywhere
9. Tax Man
10. Let It Be
11. Ticket To Ride
12. She Loves You
13. Please Mister Postman
14. Help
15. Do You Wanna Know A Secret
16. Something
17. Nowhere Man
18. You Can't Do That
19. Eight Days A Week
20. Should Have Known Better
21. Eleanor Rigby
22. Tell Me Why
23. The Long And Winding Road
24. Yesterday
25. Things We Said Today
I love many songs left off the list, such as Twist and Shout, Drive My Car, Day Tripper, Helter Skelter, I Feel Fine, Paperback Writer, A Day in the Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, Don't Let Me Down, Penny Lane, Oh Darling and Please Please Me.
In an unspeakable tragedy, John Lennon was murdered in New York City on December 8, 1980, shortly after emerging with a very strong comeback album, Double Fantasy. Most of America found out the horrible news from ABC's Howard Cosell, broadcasting an NFL Monday Night Football game with the New England Patriots visiting the Miami Dolphins. Lennon's talent was immense. George Harrison sadly died in 2001 of lung cancer at only 58 years of age. Ringo Starr, who had the first individual hit to reach #1, is doing very well and traveling around performing with his All Star Band. Always great to see Ringo and that infectious smile of his. Peace and Love! Paul McCartney is still performing, selling our venues all over the world. The individual efforts of McCartney, beginning with his early work with Wings, continues to cast in stone his place as simply the greatest singer songwriter of all time.
This Sunday evening, 50 years to the day, CBS will broadcast a special event, The Night That Changed America, a Grammy Salute to The Beatles. It should be mandatory viewing.
 |
| Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr |
Bright are the stars that shine.
And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love, you make!
No comments:
Post a Comment