Of course, I was aware of the Beatles, but I never cared. Our neighborhood gang was out playing that Sunday night in 1964, when everyone else rushed into their houses to watch them on Ed Sullivan. My family watched, but I just went upstairs to read.
I didn't become a fan until 1972, long after the group had disbanded. My older brother had a nice stereo, and I used to sneak into his room and listen with headphones to whatever records he had on the turntable, and it was almost always a Beatles album. Perhaps it was just the illicit thrill, but I was knocked out by their music, Paul's bass, the dynamic harmonies and captivating lyrics, the variety.
Kids today don't realize what a social phenomenon The Beatles were, and how successful they were. The Beatles sold an average of 1,000,000 records a week, every week, for more than seven years. Many of you know, but one week in 1964, they had the top five songs in the country, 14 songs in the top 100, and five Number One tunes that year. No one will top that, ever, not even Coldplay.
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