I Grew Up with the Beatles

In my early teen years, I babysat for spending money. Once I established myself, especially in the Orchards subdivision, I scheduled Friday and Saturday nights in advance.

Those were the days of 50 cents an hour, a dollar after midnight. Pizza for dinner, chips for snacks, and for the most part, well-behaved children with set bedtimes.

That left plenty time for TV watching.

Those were the days of Lawrence Welk, Gomer Pyle, Hollywood Palace, Gilligan’s Island, Addam’s Family, Jack Benny Show, Bewitched, My Three Sons, Donna Reed, Shindig, Bonanza, Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. And so many other favorites.

Occasionally I’d babysit on a Sunday night, and one Sunday, magic unfolded that changed my (musical) life.

And not just mine.

Ed Sullivan Show, famous for acrobats, singers, comedians, and ventriloquists, aired from June 1948 to March 1971. A true variety show, we all watched for memorable performances by the famous and the regulars—Topo Gigio, the mouse puppet, for instance—with surprising musical guests.

In spite of Sullivan’s intention not to invite Elvis on his “family show,” Steve Allen’s ratings shot up after an Elvis appearance, and since the two shows were competitors, Ed Sullivan changed his mind. So, on September 9, 1956, Elvis sang “Love Me Tender” with three other songs, and was watched by over 60 million viewers, 83% of the TV population, a television record.

In 1963, Sullivan was at Heathrow Airport where he witnessed a Beatles welcome and commented that it was like Elvis. He offered a high fee to Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ manager, for their appearance, and agreed to three performances at minimum payment for top billing.

On February 9, 1964, I was babysitting and, naturally, turned on Ed Sullivan to pass the time after the children were in bed.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ed Sullivan said, “the Beatles,” and the group burst into “All My Loving,” followed by “Till There Was You” (a tune from the musical “The Music Man”), and “She Loves You.”

I fell in love.

I wasn’t alone. A record of 73 million viewers joined me that night.

Took my babysitting money and begged a ride to Grinnell’s at the Pontiac Mall to stand in line for my 45 of “She Loves You.” Next, my first Beatles’ album—Meet the Beatles.

That was only the beginning of my love affair with Paul, John, George, and Ringo.

In high school, we were “John girls” or “Paul girls” or “George girls.” George was quiet, John rebellious, Ringo shy, and Paul cute. After trying out the various personalities, I became and remained a Paul girl. All my life.

There was a “which is better” dispute at that time about the superior band—Beatles or Rolling Stones—but we Beatles’ fans held out that our choice would prove themselves over time. And were right, since the Beatles’ changing styles altered music in many ways.

“Yesterday” is one of the most-recorded songs in popular music history with 1,600 versions by 1986 alone. Chuck Berry said he wished he’d written it.

Every Beatles album shifted in style, from the early sounds of “Meet the Beatles” through changes in “Help” and “Rubber Soul,” to “Revolver,” “Sgt. Pepper’s,” and “Abbey Road.” I’ve always considered their White Album a collection of every style.

My brother recognized the genius of Motown early in its history and preferred those artists, but I was swept away by the British Invasion and the Beatles.

I grew and matured as their music did. I was married with children when they also went their own ways.

John created his own sound, Paul built a thriving career, George continued polishing his guitar work and songwriting, and Ringo performed and acted, as well as influenced other drummers, and was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1999.

Tragic deaths, losses, and four individual musical and personal lives can never erase the Beatlemania magic this band created when they shot into the American public with their fresh sound.

“Let It Be” is a prayer.

And my favorite? Difficult question to answer, but if I have to choose, it’s “Hey Jude.”

In fact, at the end of the song, Paul calls out my name, “Judy, Judy, Judy…”

Hold on, Mr. McCartney, I’m coming!