The Beatles concert an Oddity

 Beatles Concert an Oddity

 by Bob Thomas 

Niagara Falls Gazette

 August, 31 1966

    The Beatles have come and gone, collecting $148,000 for moaning 10 songs in 27 minutes. By way of social commentary, the pay of the four young English singers exceeded the combined annual salaries of the President and Vice President of the United States. 

     To the adult, a Beatle concert must be viewed as a social phenomenon, since it is impossible to enjoy as entertainment. Even those with a failing for some of the Beatles songs (love that "Yesterday") can find little pleasure because of inaudibility.

     The Thomas group made its third annual pilgrimage to hear the Beatles. Nancy, age 18 and ready for college, showed no disenchantment for the mop tops. Janet, age 14, was in the full throes of fandom. Caroline, age eight was a new entry and not lacking in enthusiasm.

     This year, the concert was in Dodger Stadium instead of Hollywood Bowl, and it seemed more fitting for the event to take place in a sports arena than in a citadel of long hair and other kinds of music. 

    Dodger Stadium looked somewhat like the Berlin border. Burly guards stood at the bottom and midway of each stairway leading to the field. Uniformed policemen with helmets and billy clubs lined the field, some of them communicating with walkie-talkies. Behind them were three rows of hurdles and a newly erected wire fence. 

    Preliminary acts poured a torrent of noise through the 27-speaker, 2000-watt public address system while the 40,000 onlookers grew restless and stared at each other. There was much to stare at. One bearded chap on my aisle wore the headdress and robes of an Arab Sheik. Another sported a green velvet cape. The girl next to me, with the orange page boy bob, turned her head, and I discovered she was a fellow. 

    At 9:33, The Beatles came out of the dugout at third base, and it was noisy. Oh yes, it was. Signs began to unfurl all over the grandstand. "We love you!" "Dallas Fan Cub Follows, The Beatles" The guards at the bottom of the aisles eyed the withering masses uneasily. 

    There was a charge of excitement in the crowd as a handful of teenagers leaped out of the bleachers and raced toward the bandstand. Second base police quickly captured the invaders and led them off in handcuffs as the onlookers booed. Later, an officer on the field was hit in his rear by an orange hurled from the upper deck. The crowd cheered. 

    At 10pm The Beatles had finished their labors and disappeared into a tent behind the bandstand. Two limousines raced from the park and out the ballpark amid screams.

 Reviews by the Thomas girls. "They didn't sing enough new songs." "George's hair was a mess.""Paul was the only one who tried to please."  "They seemed bored, but they're cool. Yes, they're cool. I love the Beatles."