"Freshen Up" - the Paul McCartney Concert

I think I have told this story before, but I am going to tell it again. In early 1964, My roommate and I were on our way to work and on the radio was playing a song by "The Beatles" - "I want to Hold Your Hand." My roommate changed the station and I asked her to put it back on. She said "Those guys are horrible! That song will never go anywhere and they won't be popular!"

I disagreed, and we did listen to it. I was hooked from the beginning and I wanted to know everything about those boys from England with the long hair. Before long, it was announced that they would sing live in Shea Stadium in NYC. I wanted so badly to be there, but I never even considered the possibility that I could go. Money (or the lack of it) and distance made that impossible. 

I bought the album "Meet the Beatles" and played it incessantly, much to my roommate's dismay. I bought several more albums over the next 10-12 years, and I never lost my desire to see The Beatles live. 

My parents shared my roommate's opinion of the Beatles' music, and I was determined to show my mom that they had talent. I found an album of Beatle's music played by a symphony, and bought it. The music was very good played in symphonic style. 

When my parents next visited, I put that album on after dinner, without telling them who the artists were. After a few songs had played, I asked mom what she thought of the music. She said it was very nice and asked who composed it. I HAD her! With great glee, I showed her the album cover, pointing out "The Beatles" and which songs they had written. Mom was subdued......But she had to admit I was right! 

I have since collected both tapes and CDs of their music, and enjoyed them often. I still own the albums......but have long since given up on having them autographed. What I would love to do is see my old roommate and ask her what she thinks of The Beatles now. Alas, I don't know where she is or what her name is now. But if you know anyone from Mississippi whose name is Delsy, please tell her for me that The Beatles became one of the best selling, best loved bands of all time, and I was right all along.

Now.....fast-forward to last night:

I got to see Paul McCartney in concert!!! 

I was so excited to be in the same room with Paul, whom I have loved since 1964. Never mind that the room also held 19,721 other people. Paul and I had a lovely time together!! Our seats were almost directly over the stage and we could see everything! There were two jumbotrons in plain view, as well. 

Here are some photos from last night: