Life is At Last Complete: They Saw The Beatles (Boston 1966)

 

Life is Now Complete: They Saw The Beatles 

By Priscilla Ilinitch

The Evening Gazette

August 24, 1966

     "They're just now beginning to come down off cloud 99," declared the mother of one of the four 12- and 13-year-olds who had a tremendous experience last Thursday. Life is now going to seem pretty quiet, according to Denise Landeau, Lynn Matthew, Carol Ann Matthew, and Liz White. They've seen the Beatles. What else is left? 

    The girls had been living in almost unbearable anticipation since getting their tickets to the Boston concert two months ago. Beatles fans from the beginning, they have every Beatles record there is, and seemingly every clipping and picture. The rooms are overflowing with pictures and scrapbooks, as their mothers will attest. 

    A definite participant in the abounding enthusiasm is Carol Ann's twin, Jo Ann, unable to attend the concert because of a recent operation.  Jo Ann is just waiting for next time.

     And what's so great about the Beatles? "Why, just everything!" the girls' chorus. Although they have different favorites, their looks, their singing, and the way they can invent songs. The girls remained loyal through all the reactions to the "more popular than Jesus" comment.  "They were misunderstood," and "The remark was taken out of context," They declare with certainty.

     Having actually seen the Beatles, the girl's enthusiasm remains undiminished. "They were wonderful," Denise said with a sigh. "I wanted to scream, and no sound would come out," she reported, "but the tears just kept rolling down my face."

     "I cried just hearing about it. I can't imagine what I would have done if I had been there," said Jo Ann. The girls are still marveling at the incomparable experience of one boy who managed to get onto the stage and touch John, Paul, and George, before the police took him away. "He actually touched them!" The girls sighed. Their voices are far away and dreamy.

     One of the mothers reminds the girls of other times and other idols, but this is different. They'll always love the Beatles, of course. And one week later, the memory of life's biggest experience lingers on.