Music 101 - Lonna Lonna's Story

MUSIC 101 

If every cloud has a silver lining, then our dark cloud, that cloud of the 60’s had a platinum lining! 

My experience of the 60’s came by way of the mellow 1950’s that I was born into.  It was a time when all seemed right.  A mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, neighbors, religion, schools and even our country. 

Vietnam then happened.  A place I hadn’t heard of.  Then more and more things changed.  It was the beginning of the 1960’s.  President Kennedy was elected and then assassinated.  Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Malcome X, Freedom Riders and others.  Parents were divorcing and we became somewhat scared of hippies, Manson, and drugs. 

Now, the platinum lining! 

At the end of 1963, I heard a record unlike anything else I’d ever heard!  It was, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by none other than THE BEATLES!!! 

My world was taking on a new thrill I’d never experienced!  I heard it on the radio before its release in the USA on an album called “Meet the Beatles”.  (Recorded a year earlier in February of 1963) My musical interest (& male interest, haha!) had a whole new meaning for this 11-year-old 6th grader! 

Within 24 hours I felt every new emotion.  On February 7th, 1964, THE BEATLES’ plane landed at JFK New York airport, to girls who were screaming at decibels higher than the jet engines!  At first, everyone thought, ‘Ewww, long hair, dirty foreigners who were invading OUR music!’  Nope!  We were partially wrong.  They were semi long hair (quite short actually), clean-cut, funny, talented British citizens with great accents, singing voices, writing abilities and musicians that anyone had ever heard of this side of “The pond”!!  The truest genius talent to ever exist in all of rock and roll history! 

The music proves itself.  Only those that don’t know squat about music or have an unopened mind could ever argue with the facts.  The numbers prove my words. 

I was happy!!  I became emotional with the songs, the chords, the drums, the words, the harmonies and the writing.  Even their wit and their looks took me by surprise and great love.  Yes, LOVE.  My new friends. 

Although I never saw them perform together in concert, I have been able to see them all many times in person.  I met them, touched them, talked to them, I’ve gone to all their concerts over and over, and yes, meet them again! 

I’ve been to England 3 times and visited all the sights, including The Cavern (original & new), visited their homes, etc. 

I grew up in Long Beach, California.  I am 73 years old and still adore them!  Listen, discover, and remember.