Beatles -Last Word

[WishICouldPlay]

I'm not going to bring this up anymore, i've beat it to death.

I'm not sayin' that they invented "rock n roll". Clearly they didn't. I'm not sayin' they are the best band ever (although they are).
All i'm sayin' is that Beatlemania was about way more than the music ... they changed the entire culture of the world 180 degrees that enabled much of what followed to happen.

'nuff said about that topic.

 

[11top]

No argument here.

 

[WishICouldPlay]

No argument here.

thx, i agree.

 

[WishICouldPlay]

No argument here.

thx man ...

one thing that interests me is how primitive the technology was back then. where i lived in Toronto, the nite they appeared in '64, we had one black & white TV and were lucky since we could get the two Canadian channels and, because we were right down on the lake, all three Buffalo channels. A lot of people could only get 1-3 channels across North America. A lot of people didn't have a TV and there were far fewer of us (people). I hardly ever watched TV, maybe three hours a month in Winter and virtually nothing in Summer. Even in July '69, on the nite of the Moon Landing, we received fewer than 10 channels.
different times for sure.

regardless, i'm moving on from the the past to the present and future now. looking for some artists that i would enjoy, not necessarily guitar based, that might have recorded something in the 21st century (lol). have found a couple but it's a little difficult when you haven't really kept up and don't actively listen to all the music that is out there.
i am finding that there are a ton of talented artists, bands and groups making some incredible music which is cool.

 

[jfine]

There's a great vid on YouTube of the Beatles' show in Washington, DC--I think the second gig of their first US tour in 1964. They're on a smallish rectangular stage right in the middle of what looks like a large banquet hall, audience on all four sides. Three vocal mics up front, no monitors, amps at the back. Every few songs, they'd push the amps to a different side of the stage, move the mics to the opposite side, and turn the drum riser so they had a chance to face each quadrant of the audience in succession. It took several people to turn that drum riser too--all four Beatles plus their road manager (probably Mal Evans) were involved in schlepping the gear around the stage every few songs. Can you imagine a modern concert act putting up with that? But the Beatles seemed to bear it with good grace, and I've got to wonder how they managed to sound so good without being able to hear themselves--the recorded sound in the clip is actually pretty good, but I'm sure in the room, the screaming girls were drowning out the band.

 

[WishICouldPlay]

There's a great vid on YouTube of the Beatles' show in Washington, DC--I think the second gig of their first US tour in 1964. They're on a smallish rectangular stage right in the middle of what looks like a large banquet hall, audience on all four sides. Three vocal mics up front, no monitors, amps at the back. Every few songs, they'd push the amps to a different side of the stage, move the mics to the opposite side, and turn the drum riser so they had a chance to face each quadrant of the audience in succession. It took several people to turn that drum riser too--all four Beatles plus their road manager (probably Mal Evans) were involved in schlepping the gear around the stage every few songs. Can you imagine a modern concert act putting up with that? But the Beatles seemed to bear it with good grace, and I've got to wonder how they managed to sound so good without being able to hear themselves--the recorded sound in the clip is actually pretty good, but I'm sure in the room, the screaming girls were drowning out the band.

yeah, i remember the one in shea stadium ... nuts. the greatest band in the history of rock (and music) schlepping around there own amps. like i said ... different times.
i was fortunate enough to have what would now be called an "all access pass" when they played maple leaf gardens in '64.
man, if i had all the memorabilia that i was able to collect over the years (was destroyed by a fire), i could buy my own island.

cheers!

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Pretty sure the show where they manually spin the drum riser was in DC...actually their first show in the states...the place is now where Dc trash trucks go between shifts...?

 

[WishICouldPlay]

Pretty sure the show where they manually spin the drum riser was in DC...actually their first show in the states...the place is now where Dc trash trucks go between shifts...?

I think if u check out the shea stadium clip, it will be the same.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Hadn't looked at the clip...but I know they had a similar situation at the Washington Colosseum show on Feb 11 1964...love the Beatles and there is some cool footage in their Antholgy...

 

[uburoibob]

Washington coliseum is where they spin their amps and the drum riser. It's the only show where they do this. Didn't happen at Shea. And yes, they are the best band of all time. I have been a lover and collector since late 1963 and have thousands of Beatle records, videos, magazines, books and I still look at and listen to it all. I am a Beatle nerd. Also have learned all their stuff and play out with a friend where the two of us will theme the night. We've done the White Album in order. All songs recorded or released in 1967 in order. Rubber Soul and Revolver (both US and British versions) in order. It's a blast! Also was an editor on Andy Babiuk's book Beatles Gear.

Have they gotten under my skin? You might say so!

Thanks for starting a GREAT topic!

Bob

 

[alantig]

Can you imagine a modern concert act putting up with that?

The only major act I can think of that would do something like that is the Flaming Lips. They still help set up their own stage. I read about the tour they did supporting Beck - opening act and then his backing band. Wayne Coyne was said to be very disappointed that Beck didn't help with anything.