My Beatle's Memory

I'm a first-line Beatles guy, having first seen them on the Ed Sullivan show at the age of seven.  I was already studying music, and had decided that this was what I wanted to do for a living, but hearing them just blew it wide open for me, as it did for generations of musicians.

I asked my parents to let me go to a Beatles concert in 1964 and 1965, but was told that I was too young. Then, in 1966, they finally agreed to let me go to the Chicago International Amphitheater concert- if my father's potential job transfer to Baltimore didn't happen. At the age of nine, I didn't consider the possible ramifications that my Dad's promotion and salary increase might have on my life- I fervently hoped that we'd stay in Chicago, and that I'd see the Beatles.

And it's possible that I saw them.

Dad's transfer came through, and we left Chicago on August 12, 1966- the very day of their performance. As the taxi neared O'Hare airport, our taxi passed the very Astor Towers Hotel where the Beatles were staying. I remember being at a stop light, about fifty yards from the hotel. In the parking lot, a mob of girls were screaming at some figures in the upper floors. I saw people waving to the crowd from the balcony. Paul and George? Ringo and Mal Evens? A couple of maids?

I'll never know.

Don Hall