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Jul 30, 2006, 06:22 PM
LESLIE CRISS: Help! We need your memories of 1966 Beatles concert
7/29/2006 8:54:36 PM
Daily Journal
"... And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
There will be an answer - Let it be..."
- Paul McCartney
1966.
It was a near-banner year for The Beatles, but for some repercussions here and abroad for words and actions by the Fab Four many still believe were misunderstood.
In the Philippines, the boys from Britain were accused of snubbing Imelda Marcos because they were unable to accept her invitation to tea.
And in this country, all manner of folks - from fans to the Klan - were burning their 33 and 45 rpms, incensed by John Lennon's saying about his band, "We are more popular than Jesus."
Later, explaining what he'd meant and offering an apology, true blue fans were forgiving and continued to spend money on music.
In 1966 alone, at least two singles shot to the top of the charts and lingered there for a while: "We Can Work It Out" and "Paperback Writer."
My most favorite Beatles album, "Rubber Soul," was number one for six weeks in 1966, and it was the year they began recording "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
While many bought vinyl, others preferred paper, buying tickets to see The Beatles in concert.
Those who'd already paid their hard-earned cash for tickets to the Memphis concert prayed Lennon's remarks - misconstrued or not - would not cause the event to be canceled.
The show went on as planned.
Aug. 19,1966.
Two shows were planned at the Mid-South Coliseum - one at 4 p.m., the other at 8:30 p.m. No matter where your seat, ticket prices were the same. A whopping $5.50.
I was not there, but my colleague Mike Tonos was. He was sharing some of his memories with me last Thursday. Including the firecracker someone blew up during the concert, which scared the bejesus out of him.
I'm sure it frightened The Beatles, as well, since threats had been made on John Lennon's life.
Less than two weeks later on Aug. 29, The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
If you were one of the lucky ones who paid $5.50 for a ticket to see The Beatles in Memphis 40 years ago, we'd love to hear about it.
Share your memories with us. Here's how: E-mail your stories to questions@djournal.com or snail mail them to us at Beatles Memories, Daily Journal, P.O. Box 909, Tupelo, MS 38804-0909.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Leslie Criss is the Daily Journal's features and special sections editor. Contact her at leslie.criss@djournal.com or 678-1584.
7/29/2006 8:54:36 PM
Daily Journal
"... And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree,
There will be an answer - Let it be..."
- Paul McCartney
1966.
It was a near-banner year for The Beatles, but for some repercussions here and abroad for words and actions by the Fab Four many still believe were misunderstood.
In the Philippines, the boys from Britain were accused of snubbing Imelda Marcos because they were unable to accept her invitation to tea.
And in this country, all manner of folks - from fans to the Klan - were burning their 33 and 45 rpms, incensed by John Lennon's saying about his band, "We are more popular than Jesus."
Later, explaining what he'd meant and offering an apology, true blue fans were forgiving and continued to spend money on music.
In 1966 alone, at least two singles shot to the top of the charts and lingered there for a while: "We Can Work It Out" and "Paperback Writer."
My most favorite Beatles album, "Rubber Soul," was number one for six weeks in 1966, and it was the year they began recording "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
While many bought vinyl, others preferred paper, buying tickets to see The Beatles in concert.
Those who'd already paid their hard-earned cash for tickets to the Memphis concert prayed Lennon's remarks - misconstrued or not - would not cause the event to be canceled.
The show went on as planned.
Aug. 19,1966.
Two shows were planned at the Mid-South Coliseum - one at 4 p.m., the other at 8:30 p.m. No matter where your seat, ticket prices were the same. A whopping $5.50.
I was not there, but my colleague Mike Tonos was. He was sharing some of his memories with me last Thursday. Including the firecracker someone blew up during the concert, which scared the bejesus out of him.
I'm sure it frightened The Beatles, as well, since threats had been made on John Lennon's life.
Less than two weeks later on Aug. 29, The Beatles performed their final concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
If you were one of the lucky ones who paid $5.50 for a ticket to see The Beatles in Memphis 40 years ago, we'd love to hear about it.
Share your memories with us. Here's how: E-mail your stories to questions@djournal.com or snail mail them to us at Beatles Memories, Daily Journal, P.O. Box 909, Tupelo, MS 38804-0909.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Leslie Criss is the Daily Journal's features and special sections editor. Contact her at leslie.criss@djournal.com or 678-1584.