The Beatles-The Fab Four
When I tell people, especially the younger generation, I saw the Beatles-the Fab Four LIVE in concert, their expression is disbelief. I am not sure if that’s because they think I must be really old or they just love the Beatles! It was September 15, 1964 in Cleveland, Ohio at the Public Auditorium. I was in eighth grade and I went with one of my best friends. My memory of the experience is vivid.
How did this love affair begin you may wonder? It began one night as I sat in front of my black and white television with my family. I was sitting on the floor with my tape recorder getting ready to watch the Ed Sullivan Show. With my finger poised upon the record button, I waited patiently. I was about to fall in love with the Beatles-The Fab Four.
Of course they were the last guest to perform. Finally screams ushered them onto the stage and they began singing, “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” I was immediately smitten by George. The quiet looking ones always get me. I think it is because they seem mysterious. Any way that is were it all began and I still have that old tape stashed away with my other Beatles memorabilia.
The Beatles-The Fab Four Conquer Cleveland
There was so much excitement in Cleveland over the Beatles that I could hardly contain myself. To think I would be breathing the same air as George Harrison was intoxicating. They had a lottery just to be selected to buy tickets. Fortunately, I was selected. So early one Saturday morning my father took me downtown to stand in line to buy tickets. My father scored 2 tickets in the 11th row from the stage!! I was in heaven. Now all I had to do was wait until Sept. 15, 1964.
The Magical Days Arrives
The day finally arrived and I still cannot believe my father let me go to the concert. After all I was just 13 years old. I found out years later that when my father asked my older sister’s advice, she advocated for me to attend.
I never could have anticipated what I was about to experience. My father drove me and my friend to Public Auditorium in downtown Cleveland and dropped us off at the front. At the time the venue seated 11,000.
As we entered there were literally thousands of people searching for their seats. We were in the Orchestra on the floor in Row 11. As we made our way closer and closer to the stage my friend and I giggled with excitement that we would be so close to our heroes.
We took our seats and everyone around us was immersed in excitement. Finally the Fab Four made their way onto to the stage and there was an eruption of sound and flashing lights like I have never seen in my life! Everyone, including us, jumped to their feet. Screaming, shouting the name of their favorite Beatle, I found myself doing the same thing. “George, I love you!” As if he could hear me! No one could hear anything. The energy in the place was explosive.