A few remembrances that remain in my head about John Lennon and the Beatles...

Like so many others my first exposure was in Feb. 1964 viewing the Ed Sullivan show.  After it was over I went upstairs to the bathroom mirror and combed my hair down over my forehead.  The way Lennon stood there and held that guitar was a defining moment of rock n roll.

One night as my parents were driving us somewhere 'Twist and Shout' came on the radio.  Lennon's voice literally tore my soul in two.  Has never been the same. "Work it on out...!"

That summer I believe  'A Hard Day's Night was released.  My folks packed my brother and I into the car and went to the local Drive-In to see it.  I never had the chance to see live Beatles but the film captured everything I had dreamed about.  It may be hard to understand now but the mere fact of hearing them speak was nothing less than Nirvana.

I could never convince my father to turn up the radio as much as I would have liked.  The Beatles were all over the radio.  I was able to purchase almost every thing they put out.  "Eight Days a Week."

I also discovered 'Ain't She Sweet' on the radio.  Another classic Lennon vocal.  Speaking of which, check out the Beatles second album for more soul wrenching Lennon singing.

Once the bell would ring to signal the end of each class in ninth grade, in the second before everyone would stand up to change classes, I would yell, "Ringo!"  I had found the Vee Jay album, 'Introducing The Beatles.'  On there Ringo sings "Boys."  He did on 'Shindig' too.  

I plastered Beatle stuff all over my tablets and notebooks.

I was a freshman in college when Sgt. Pepper hit.  A guy in the dorm just down the hall brought the record into my room.  I'll never forget his name.  John Yuknalis.  'A Day in the Life' played, played and played.  I believe that final chord will never totally decay away.

When Abbey Road was released I recorded it onto a reel to reel tape player I had.  I brought that along to school and that recording was the soundtrack to our lives.  It pointed to and underlined and defined all situations and emotions.  John's vocals played every day lending all the extra meaning to life anyone could handle.

Just a few items.  Thanks for allowing me to indulge.