Critic Takes Daughters to a Beatles Concert (Los Angeles 1966)

 

Critic Takes Daughters to a Beatles Concert

By Bob Thomas

Ventura County Star

August 31, 1966

    The Beatles have come and gone, collecting $146,000 and promoting 10 songs in 27 minutes. By way of social commentary, their pay exceeded the combined annual salaries of the President and Vice President of the United States. 

    To the adult, a Beatles 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 can find little pleasure because of inaudibility. 

    The Thomas Group made its third annual pilgrimage to hear the Beatles. Nancy, 18 and ready for college, showed no disenchantment for the Mop Tops. Janet, 14, was in the full throes of fandom. Caroline, eight, was a new entry and not lacking in enthusiasm. This year, the concert was in Dodger Stadium instead of the Hollywood Bowl, and it seemed more fitting for the event to take place in a sports arena rather than a citadel for long-hair music. 

    Dodger Stadium looked somewhat like the Berlin border. Burley 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. Then came a newly erected wire fence. 

    Preliminary acts poured a torrent of noise through the 27th 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 in my aisle wore a 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. At 10 p.m., the Beatles had finished their labors and disappeared into a tent behind the bandstand. Two limousines raced from the tent and out of the ballpark amid screens. 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."