I was an early convert to the Fab Four, after my mother slipped me a compilation tape one year in my stocking in elementary school. I loved them and loved that tape to death. When I think of the Beatles, several super fan friends pop into my head, but first and foremost is my friend Joe Peppercorn. He was my first die hard Beatles fan friend. He introduced me to lots of music in high school and college, but to me, he is synonymous with Revolver. We were on the school paper together, and he played that album again and again in the staff room. I own it either because he gave it to me, or I just was convinced of its greatness and/or missed him and hearing it in college.
I bring this all up because I just came from listening to him play the Beatles. He's playing all of the recorded Beatles works in chronological order tonight, with a little help from some friends. (He was in the paper today about it!) He started around 4pm and probably has another couple of hours to go.This is the second year he's done this crazy marathon, but I missed last year's performance. I'm so glad I was able to see some of this year's.
I had hoped to get in to hear A Hard Day's Night, but missed it, arriving to catch Beatles for Sale. (I do love the early Beatles. I am a sucker for early 60s pop.) I hadn't planned on staying that long, but evetually my friends and I decided we needed to wait to hear Revolver. I left after the band closed out Sgt. Pepper.
My friends and I were the dancing girls in the back against the wall. The night was one big sing-a-long, with us twisting and shouting along. A favorite moment tonight? The audience participation in "I Just Saw A Face." That was a song I remember listening to over and over, rewinding the tape, so I could memorize the words. Or maybe how every so often he would preface a song by shouting, "And this one is by the Beatles!" I stayed for about 80 songs, out of the 215 they are planning on singing and playing tonight. I hope Joe doesn't lose his voice for too long after this. Great fun all the same. Well done sirs.
What an awesome project! Hats off to you, Mr. Peppercorn.
Posted by: Kristen | December 30, 2011 at 07:20 AM
Happy New Year, Claire!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 01, 2012 at 11:22 PM