In August of 1965, a couple of weeks before I left on the train for college in the East, the Beatles landed in Portland and played two concerts in the then new Memorial Coliseum. My mother had somehow bought tickets for all of us and we went to hear the phenomenon
At 18, with my 15, 12 and 10 year old siblings, I was mortified at the thought that they might stand up and start screaming. I knew my brother would contain himself, but my middle sister had a crush on Paul, and I didn’t trust her to contain herself. All the way there, I stressed the importance of them being collected when the Beatles appeared. I was about to be a college girl, after all, and I had a reputation to establish.
There must have been some warmup acts to get us all restless before the Fab Four came out on the stage. Finally, they emerged. I stood and screamed my head off. My siblings sat still, obeying my orders to behave themselves. I surprised myself because I really thought I had not been caught up in Beatlemania. But, it turned out, seeing John in person let loose some primal excitement that needed to be expressed.
They never let me live it down! “Remember when you screamed at the Beatles?” How could I forget?
Remembering my younger years, I love the Beatles.
Who was your favorite? Mine was John.
All the three except Ringo.
John was my favorite also. They really had some great music.
What a nightmare when he was shot outside his home.
Yes, that was an awful time to be sure.
That’s amazing!
Truly!
I absolutely love the Beatles music. I wouldn’t have known how to stay composed if i had had the the chance to meet them. Right now, I hope to meet Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss; I wouldn’t handle the thought of composing myself either. I think I would give up on the lady like manners.lol
Yes, I was that girl screaming!
Wish I had seen them. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. Fun story!
Thanks. I’m glad I didn’t decide I was too sophisticated.
Wow, how amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience, glad I stumbled upon your post! 🙂
Yes, I loved the concert and the screaming.
I guess I was you for Halloween! https://thebeatlesbae.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/halloween-just-your-average-1965-teen-with-beatlemania/
The black tights are spot on.