by Art Gentile, Telford, Pa
In December of 1963, I was 10 years old. My family was visiting my aunt in Norristown, Pa. It was around 11:30 pm and we were getting ready to go home. Playing on my aunt’s black and white TV was the Tonite Show starring Jack Paar (Johnny’s predecessor). In his monologue he was talking about how there was this phenomenon happening in England. A band called the Beatles had taken the country by storm and he then aired a brief clip of the band playing a concert with the Queen in attendance. It was the concert where John quipped, “The people in the back clap your hands. The ones in the front seats just rattle your jewelry!”

The film showed some screaming fans as the Beatles played “She Loves You.” When it was over Paar said, with tongue in cheek, “I thought I would show you that in case any of you were planning to go to England and were looking for something fun to do!” I remember as I got into our car I was singing the catchy, She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah out loud. I was already hooked. It wasn’t until two months later. on February 9, 1964 (my birthday!) that they appeared on Ed Sullivan and the rest of the country caught Beatlemania. I always mark the date two months earlier!