Gemini Rising

1980's Sounds - The Beatles

Written for:

FORUM

The Soundtrack of Your Life  (18+) Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life! #1970896 by Jeff

#3

Early Soundtrack around 1980

I really became cognizant of music and it's effects in the early 1980's. I discovered 8 tracks (lol!) and of course there was vinyl. I remember listening to John Cougar on the radio - and hearing about "Jack and Diane," but it was my 7th grade music class that really set me on my musical path.

It was 1980. Mr. Bresnahan was my music teacher and we spent a week on the Beatles.

That's how important the Beatles were to my life at a young age. I even remember my music teacher. He was fairly young, I'd in his 30's, and he loved music. Nowadays, kids don't have a music class in school.

The Beatles music was catchy, upbeat, and uplifting. What they infused in me was a spirit of hope, of love, and of respect. Their early music resonated with me for that reason. Tunes like "She Loves You." and "I want to hold your hand," I learned to sing over and over. And during that week as we learned how their music grew, we grew, too. They soon began to question things - life, the purpose of life, the meaning of life. "While my Guitar Gently Weeps," was amazing. Of course I loved "Taxman." Growing up in New Hampshire, I appreciated not being taxed to death. All things must come to an end and the Beatles did, too. Abbey Road is an impressive album and the growth of the band in the span of a decade amazing.

There's a Beatles song for every mood, for every nuance of my personality. I remember roller skating in my basement, playing the Beatles tunes and singing almost at the top of my lungs over and over. You play a Beatles tune on the radio, I could probably sing it by heart.

Favorite Beatles? I've gone through my phases, Ringo, John, George. Paul was okay. Ultimately, my favorite would be George.

The Beatles personal lives? I could tell you all about that, too. None of them were perfect. I was always a Cynthia Lennon and Patti Boyd fan. In fact, I have both of their books - autographed. And I met Patti Boyd in person on Catalina Island at Avalon when she autographed my book.

The Beatles gave me hope. Even when there were spots in my life where things looked down, a Beatles song always tapped into that niggle of hope and sprouted in my heart.
HERE SOMES THE SUN
The Beatles