Good music helps set our broken bones. It’s the medicine we take when lovers quit loving us or kids grow up and move on…the dog dies…a best pal passes…the blood test comes back wrong.
Props to my brilliant former colleague, Don Guthrie, for the new headline: A Hard Day's Night. Don was a great editor and, obviously, a terrific headline writer.
So happy to hear everyone is doing well. Our hearts skip a beat or two during family emergencies.
I so clearly remember that Sunday evening, at age 8, sitting around small black and white tv with my cousins to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. My Aunt Clara was appalled by their long hair, lol. We cousins were mesmerized. Like others, their music captivated my soul playing an integral part in my teenage years. Fast forward to my 30’s when I met the man of my dreams. He and one of his brothers are Beatle “historians.” The music and lore plays on. Our daughter, now 33, knows words to every song. How music feeds the soul and generations to come.
Thank you for your this beautiful piece of writing.
Denise, same here. I was 10, sitting "too close to the TV" that night while my parents watched my reaction. My brother had given me the 45rpm of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and I still have it. "Captivated my soul" is so true, for all these decades. My son is 36, and he grew up on the Beatles (makes me happy). When he got married, our mom/son dance was "In My Life," my favorite song.
There was only one paul McCartney and one John Lennon, but my advanced age and 1000 years producing music on television maybe buys me a little provenance to throw out some other writers who in my opinion belong in that same circle for quality, and in a few cases, quantity. How about Hal David and Burt bacharach, paul simon, Joni Mitchell, randy Newman, the Gershwins, harry Chapin, Elton John and Bernie taupin, lieber and stoller, Smokey robinson, Marvin Gaye, Curtis mayfield, chuck berry, bob dylan, holland brothers and Lamont Dozier, Cole porter, billie eilish and Taylor swift, Allan Toussaint, Stevie wonder, Otis Blackwell, Carole king, Bruce Springsteen, alec wilder, Ray Davies, johnny cash, hank Williams, Mick and Keith, Rodger’s and (Hammerstein)(Hart), oh why did I start something I can’t finish….big apologies for leaving out so many of my favorites….
Kenny, your cred in this area is beyond question. That you included Harry Chapin and Allan Toussaint gives you bonus points. Also, your Midwestern roots. What an era that was. To any of you who don't recognize the name, Ken Ehrlich here is the longtime producer of the Grammys, among other shows. A legend himself.
Thank you for including Harry Chapin. Even today "Cat's in the Cradle" makes me tear up - when it came out, I told my husband that was written for our 2 year old son, because he was always travelling for work. Now my daughter (child #2), on the other side of the country is too busy to talk, raising her three kids, working, volunteering with every kid event in her life. Yikes! She'd turned out just like me. So many memories, Ken and Chris!
Glad “Cakes” and Rapunzel are fine. Phew! Those late night trips to the ER with kids can be long and scary. Of course the Beatles music is the soundtrack of my childhood. The first album I ever got (for Christmas when I was in 1st grade) was “Meet the Beatles.” Even now I usually have my car radio tuned to “The Beatles Channel” on XM, and there are still songs I expect to start skipping in certain places when I hear them 😆. Kids today probably won’t know what that means!
At age 10, when I first saw The Beatles, I fell in love for the first time. Not a screamer, just a dreamer. They are credited, rightly I think, with lifting our country out of our Kennedy grief and giving the world hope and as you say, knitted bones. I believe out of the 60s there are a handful of genius songwriters whose work will still be heard far into the future. They are right up there with Dylan and Paul Simon in my songbook. Thanks for the happy memories, happy pics, and happy health reports for Cakes and her beautiful aunt.
I never heard that JFK link. Thanks for sharing. I agree. We seem to have lost our way with words, in movies, songs, etc. But I feel a creative surge may be on the way. Fingers crossed. Cheers!
Chris, you were just a wee lad during that dark time. We went from a dark, cold fall and winter to sudden spring in February 1964. Thank you, Ed Sullivan! I think that's as soon an argument for the reality of Divine Intervention as you could ask.
You should check out the Neil Diamond cover band playing Sunday at Memorial Park near you. This guy does a great job portraying another wonderful songwriter!
You're probably correct, Chris. To be honest, I was surprised about the connection, and found it interesting. While I liked listening to the Beatles on the radio when I was a child and grew up hearing about the band in the media, I am far from being an officionodo.
I'm glad to hear that both Cakes and Rapunzel are on the mend after their respective health scares and subsequent trips to the ER. Kudos to Smartacus and yourself for driving cross-town to be there for your children/siblings and grandchildren/nieces and nephews. I'm sure that your care and concern were appreciated.
Putting on music when you found yourself home alone with White Fang was a good solution. Didn't someone once say that music is the balm to soothe the savage beast?
Regarding the Beatles, I recently saw the documentary "Peter Asher Every Where Man." It includes a lot of backdoor information about the Beatles. A young Paul once dated Peter Asher's sister Jane and even moved into the Asher family's guest room and later write several hit songs for the 1960s duo, Peter (Asher) and Gordon. When the Beatles started their own music label, Peter Asher became their music producer. John Lennon met Yoko Ono when she did a performance at an art gallery co-owned by Asher, etc. It was nice to see the vintage footage of the Beatles, even though the documentary is focused on its titular namesake.
Hi Kay. I always thought Jane Asher was responsible for many of Paul's great songs. They were together through his most-creative years. Peter Asher wasn't as key as Brian Epstein, from what I can tell. I also think George Martin, who did many of the lush arrangements, doesn't get the credit he deserves. But I'm hardly an expert on Beatles lore.
Props to my brilliant former colleague, Don Guthrie, for the new headline: A Hard Day's Night. Don was a great editor and, obviously, a terrific headline writer.
Those were wonderful times. Thanks, Chris.
Oh, poor Cakes & Rapunzel! Scary scares all around, thankfully they’re both ok!
When you said you put on the music, my thoughts went right to records! We have lost so much sound leaving vinyl behind, but it’s still good.
Beatles music saves the day .
Good medicine.
So happy to hear everyone is doing well. Our hearts skip a beat or two during family emergencies.
I so clearly remember that Sunday evening, at age 8, sitting around small black and white tv with my cousins to watch the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. My Aunt Clara was appalled by their long hair, lol. We cousins were mesmerized. Like others, their music captivated my soul playing an integral part in my teenage years. Fast forward to my 30’s when I met the man of my dreams. He and one of his brothers are Beatle “historians.” The music and lore plays on. Our daughter, now 33, knows words to every song. How music feeds the soul and generations to come.
Thank you for your this beautiful piece of writing.
This book would make a great gift for the Beatles geeks in your life.
Denise, same here. I was 10, sitting "too close to the TV" that night while my parents watched my reaction. My brother had given me the 45rpm of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and I still have it. "Captivated my soul" is so true, for all these decades. My son is 36, and he grew up on the Beatles (makes me happy). When he got married, our mom/son dance was "In My Life," my favorite song.
I was 10 that night, too, Laurie. Seems like Yesterday....
Whew. Hard day's night x 2. Glad everything's all right.
Dang it. That should've been my hedline!
I just re-topped with your brilliant headline! Hope that’s ok!
On the fly. Replate! Love it.
There was only one paul McCartney and one John Lennon, but my advanced age and 1000 years producing music on television maybe buys me a little provenance to throw out some other writers who in my opinion belong in that same circle for quality, and in a few cases, quantity. How about Hal David and Burt bacharach, paul simon, Joni Mitchell, randy Newman, the Gershwins, harry Chapin, Elton John and Bernie taupin, lieber and stoller, Smokey robinson, Marvin Gaye, Curtis mayfield, chuck berry, bob dylan, holland brothers and Lamont Dozier, Cole porter, billie eilish and Taylor swift, Allan Toussaint, Stevie wonder, Otis Blackwell, Carole king, Bruce Springsteen, alec wilder, Ray Davies, johnny cash, hank Williams, Mick and Keith, Rodger’s and (Hammerstein)(Hart), oh why did I start something I can’t finish….big apologies for leaving out so many of my favorites….
Kenny, your cred in this area is beyond question. That you included Harry Chapin and Allan Toussaint gives you bonus points. Also, your Midwestern roots. What an era that was. To any of you who don't recognize the name, Ken Ehrlich here is the longtime producer of the Grammys, among other shows. A legend himself.
Thank you for including Harry Chapin. Even today "Cat's in the Cradle" makes me tear up - when it came out, I told my husband that was written for our 2 year old son, because he was always travelling for work. Now my daughter (child #2), on the other side of the country is too busy to talk, raising her three kids, working, volunteering with every kid event in her life. Yikes! She'd turned out just like me. So many memories, Ken and Chris!
Glad “Cakes” and Rapunzel are fine. Phew! Those late night trips to the ER with kids can be long and scary. Of course the Beatles music is the soundtrack of my childhood. The first album I ever got (for Christmas when I was in 1st grade) was “Meet the Beatles.” Even now I usually have my car radio tuned to “The Beatles Channel” on XM, and there are still songs I expect to start skipping in certain places when I hear them 😆. Kids today probably won’t know what that means!
Absolutely. Their music will last centuries. Always been proud of the fact that my kids loved them too.
At age 10, when I first saw The Beatles, I fell in love for the first time. Not a screamer, just a dreamer. They are credited, rightly I think, with lifting our country out of our Kennedy grief and giving the world hope and as you say, knitted bones. I believe out of the 60s there are a handful of genius songwriters whose work will still be heard far into the future. They are right up there with Dylan and Paul Simon in my songbook. Thanks for the happy memories, happy pics, and happy health reports for Cakes and her beautiful aunt.
I never heard that JFK link. Thanks for sharing. I agree. We seem to have lost our way with words, in movies, songs, etc. But I feel a creative surge may be on the way. Fingers crossed. Cheers!
Chris, you were just a wee lad during that dark time. We went from a dark, cold fall and winter to sudden spring in February 1964. Thank you, Ed Sullivan! I think that's as soon an argument for the reality of Divine Intervention as you could ask.
*as good an argument!
Wow, Carroll. That's so cool that you were able to see the Beatles, and at the tender age of 10!
Listening to the Beatles music takes me back to some of the best years of my life!
So sorry about your granddaughter and daughter scare to the ER.Glad all is okay. What a frightening experience for all of you!
Thanks Kathy. It all worked out OK. But a scary couple of hours.
How frightening…so glad things are well. Keep listening and sharing
Another tear inducing column. Thanks Chris.
Glad it all turned out ok but boy emergency room visits knock you off your feet. Then the next day you are limp with relief.
You should check out the Neil Diamond cover band playing Sunday at Memorial Park near you. This guy does a great job portraying another wonderful songwriter!
You're probably correct, Chris. To be honest, I was surprised about the connection, and found it interesting. While I liked listening to the Beatles on the radio when I was a child and grew up hearing about the band in the media, I am far from being an officionodo.
I'm glad to hear that both Cakes and Rapunzel are on the mend after their respective health scares and subsequent trips to the ER. Kudos to Smartacus and yourself for driving cross-town to be there for your children/siblings and grandchildren/nieces and nephews. I'm sure that your care and concern were appreciated.
Putting on music when you found yourself home alone with White Fang was a good solution. Didn't someone once say that music is the balm to soothe the savage beast?
Regarding the Beatles, I recently saw the documentary "Peter Asher Every Where Man." It includes a lot of backdoor information about the Beatles. A young Paul once dated Peter Asher's sister Jane and even moved into the Asher family's guest room and later write several hit songs for the 1960s duo, Peter (Asher) and Gordon. When the Beatles started their own music label, Peter Asher became their music producer. John Lennon met Yoko Ono when she did a performance at an art gallery co-owned by Asher, etc. It was nice to see the vintage footage of the Beatles, even though the documentary is focused on its titular namesake.
Hi Kay. I always thought Jane Asher was responsible for many of Paul's great songs. They were together through his most-creative years. Peter Asher wasn't as key as Brian Epstein, from what I can tell. I also think George Martin, who did many of the lush arrangements, doesn't get the credit he deserves. But I'm hardly an expert on Beatles lore.