Beatles Memories Never Fade Away

Photo February 7, 1964: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain 

February 2014 is the 50th anniversary of America's love affair with the Beatles. If you don't make me tell you how old I am, I'll admit that I was old enough to remember it well.

I wasn't one of those screaming preteen girls who fell in love with the Beatles at first sight. I never jumped up and down and cried, and I didn't work my pony tail into a sweat over those soup-bowl haircuts. I was actually pretty calm about the whole British Invasion; but even as a young girl I realized that the Beatles had something pretty special going on. That special something has never faded away.

Ed Sullivan was the man
It was 1964. Television was black and white with only three channels --NBC, ABC, CBS. They had no place to put "colored" entertainment, so it just didn't get a lot of air time. But when stars like Richard Pryor, Louis Armstrong, or Jackie Wilson made it to television, it was usually on Ed Sullivan's "really big shewwww." I loved the Ed Sullivan Show, which is probably why I tuned in on February 9 when the Beatles sang "She Loves You" for the first time on American TV.

I still recall that cold Sunday when the Beatles made their first appearance. I remember hearing all of those moaning, sighing, crying teens in the audience and thinking that a bunch of black girls could never get away with all that commotion. It was 1964. The police would have no problem snatching us up and carting us away for rioting. Like my dad used to say, they would have put us under the jail.

Dad was a Beatles fan
Speaking of my dad, in 1964 he was handsome and young-looking enough to be one of the kids. He was a die-hard blues man, so I remember how surprised I was the day he brought home our family's first and only Beatles record.

We were entertaining friends and there was something soulful playing on the stereo --probably the Temptations. We were dancing when daddy walked in, lifted the needle, removed the record and replaced it with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

Dad was the head of the house, and he paid for the stereo. We knew he could do whatever he wanted; so while he played his Beatles song, we smiled and watched him snap his fingers and do a little dance move. After his cool Beatles moment, he walked away with a smile on his face.

50 Years of Beatles' songs
I never really got into the Beatles --I was more a Motown Sound girl. But I have to admit, John, Paul, George, and Ringo were talented composers and lyricists. I've enjoyed 50 years of other artists doing covers of their greatest tunes and lyrics.

Jazz guitarist George Benson's "Here Comes the Sun" was a totally different sound for him. He redid the whole Beatles "Abbey Road" album as "The Other Side of Abbey Rd," and it was fabulously mellow. Michael Jackson, who purchased the entire catalog of Beatles songs in 1985, performs a harder, cooler version of "Come Together."

Beatlemania will never end. 
The Beatles broke up a long time ago, but America never let go of the fantasy. Their songs have never stopped selling. New generations know the lyrics to top Beatles hits, and if they don't they will eventually.

On February 9, CBS will reignite America's Beatles love affair with "A Grammy Salute to the Beatles, The Night That Changed America." Stars like Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, John Mayer, the Eurythmics, Keith Urban, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Peter Frampton will salute the fab 4.

Of course, I'll probably boycott the show that night. I'd really rather watch "The Good Wife."  

Cincinnati Sparkles at Christmas Time

Don’t just sit there on the sofa all wrapped up in your snuggly. You’ll miss the holiday sparkle that transforms bad Cincinnati weather into a winter wonderland.

Yes, we’re having one of those snowy holiday seasons some people sing about. But if slushy streets and icy sidewalks aren't your thing, you’ll still get a kick out of the city’s abundance of colorful lights, festive decorations and holiday fun.

Get Downtown
Try streaming "Christmas Shake" --written and sung by a Cincinnati native-- to get in the mood. Then begin your chilly Cincinnati thrill fest with a trip to the heart of the city. December 14th is your last chance to catch Macy’s Downtown Dazzle on Fountain Square. It’s a celebration with lights and music. You'll giggle like a kid as the jolly old fat guy in red shimmies down the 525 Building with his reindeer and an over sized elf.

Speaking of Santa, December 14th is also your chance to check out Santacon 2013. Hundreds of Santa clones converge on the Square to sing, and mingle with the crowd before hitting nightspots from Fountain square to Mount Adams.

Food and Fun

Even if you miss all the Downtown Santa festivities, there’s still no better place in the Tri-State to eat, drink, and show off your ice skating savvy. One glide around the Square’s outdoor family friendly rink, and you’ll feel a holiday spirit kick in that will last all December long.

If you prefer food with your fun, Fountain Square is just a brisk walk away from whatever dining pleasure you desire. And don’t forget The Banks, home of the city’s newest and coolest Restaurants.

Check out the Choo-Choos

Kids will love the holiday trains at the Museum Center. Yes, I’m still disappointed that they moved the display from the C G & E building on Fourth Street. But it’s only a few minutes away, and it’s still big fun for kids of all ages. Duke customers can download a free pass for the display, but there's a fee for parking in the museum lot.

The “Cincinnati Scenic Railway” at the Krohn Conservatory in Eden Park is equally impressive. You’ll love the miniaturized Cincinnati landmarks, past and present. They also offer a schedule of family friendly activities. Krohn is about a mile northeast of Downtown, off Gilbert Ave. Admission: Adult - $7, Kids - $4, under 4 - free.

Downtown is Still a Neat Place to Shop

Downtown isn't big city shopping the way grandma remembers it. But when you combine it with ice skating, a great meal, and lights and music on the Square, it’s still a grand holiday experience. You’ll find gifts in several stores along Fifth Street near the square. For something extra special there’s Tiffany and Sax (at least for now). 

At Booksellers on Fountain Square you can sip coffee, settle in and remember how it used to be before everyone started downloading books or buying them online. And if you simply must bump elbows with a crowd, Macy’s and T J Maxx will have their doors open wide.

Cincinnati in December is a sparkly experience, slush and all. Instead of moaning and groaning about the weather, why not get outside and enjoy it? Just remember to watch out for the ice, otherwise you might find yourself bringing in the new year with a colorful bruise or two.