Tuesday, January 14, 2025

The Beatles at Shea



 The Beatles:  It was 34 years ago today 

By Douglas Kalajian

The Palm Beach Post

August 15, 1999


    On Sunday, August 15, 1965, a fresh contingent of Marines poured into Da Nang, South Vietnam, and the National Guard poured into riot-ravaged Los Angeles. Both scenes became familiar in years to come. 

    The same day, thousands of Beatles fans poured into New York's Shea Stadium. There has never been anything quite like it since. There have been other concerts, even other Beatles concerts, but this one became a legend.

     Four years before Woodstock, rock and roll was still mostly indoor music.  Fresh-air concerts were the stuff of state fairs and small-town band shells. 

    Then the Beatles, or their promoters, changed all that when they picked this improbable site to kick off their second American tour.  Eleven cities in one month.

     Shea Stadium was the year-old home to America's most lovable, uncoordinated baseball team, the Mets. The stadium's acoustics were attuned to cheers, cat calls, and the jet roar from Kennedy Airport. An unheard of 55,600 fans, a full house responded by paying $4.50 for top-row seats and as much as $5.65 to get closer to their idols. Unused Shea Stadium tickets today are among the most prized of Beatle memorabilia selling up to $2,500.

     Mary Dellofano Fink of Lake Worth, then 18, had just started working as a telephone operator. She also managed a local rock band that had performed as a warm-up act when groups such as the Turtles and the Dave Clark Five toured Florida. That's how she met a photographer who covered the rock scene. He called to say that he could not only get Beatles tickets, but he could get them both into the group's dressing room after the show, 

    Fink cut short a visit to relatives in Massachusetts and took a bus to New York. This is how she remembered that night:

     "The stadium was overflowing. I was sitting in a folding chair next to the stage when the four mop-top guys entered into the blinding lights. The roar was deafening. It must have traveled a mile away as they were singing. I realized I was probably one of the few who could actually hear the lyrics. I'm positive the teenagers who were stuffed in the nosebleed sections couldn't, but they didn't care. After all, it was the Beatles.

     Security, police, and paramedics dotted the field. Fans were dancing, screaming, crying, and fainting. The insanity continued for 45 minutes.  Song after song brought the sea of teens to a frenzy. Ringo sweating. George shuffling. Paul bobbing his head, and John flashing that Cheshire Cat grin. I wish I had $1 for every girl who called out their names.

     Then, as quickly as it began, it was over. The fans looked as though they were more exhausted than the Beatles. They lingered in seats they hadn't used for the past hour.

     My friend and I proceeded to the dressing room. I was never the type to scream or cry, but I was definitely excited when we entered. They were already dressed in casual clothes. Although we were there only a few minutes, I was able to witness their dry humor and boyish charm. We shook hands, and I was overwhelmed. I don't think I said one or two words except 'hello.' I realized I was in the presence of greatness. I didn't have time to think. 

    Then they left, and so did we. As we strolled outside, a sprinkle of fans were still lingering, hoping for a glimpse. I should have told them 'the Beatles are gone.'"

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