"When I'm Sixty-four": A Tribute To The Beatles Forty-Plus Years Later

The Beatles, the most prolific band ever to inundate the airwaves, still enjoy an enormous fan base, even though two of their members have passed on. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr met as teens between the late fifties and early sixties in Liverpool, England, not knowing that history would be made. John Lennon passed away in 1980 and George Harrison in 2001. While the Beatles haven't exactly been forgotten in the last forty years, it appears that their popularity has increased of late with the release of Beatles Rock Band, a video game that appeared on the heels of Guitar Hero. Guitar Hero allows the player to play along with different rock musicians while Rock Band allows a whole group to play the individual instruments. The Beatles version of Rock Band is fresh in that it takes the player through the band's whole career, from the early years to the height of the Beatles craze. Even though the band was only together for seven years, from 1962 to 1969, their music lives on. When the band broke up, the Liverpool boys didn't just sit on their laurels, they each went on to a successful solo career.

Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool on June 18th, 1942. He and John Lennon were the genius behind most of their original songs, although George and Ringo also contributed at times. After the Beatles broke up, Paul went on to form the band "Wings" with his wife Linda. He has played in many venues through the years and, more recently, he is set to release, on November 17th, the CD/DVD combo "Good Evening New York City" where he gave a landmark performance to celebrate the christening of New York's Citi Field.

John Lennon was born October 9th, 1940 and he was killed December 8th, 1980 at forty years of age. He was in his creative prime and was, in fact, coming home from his studio when he was shot. Even after his death, new music has been released and both of his sons are musicians. John was a pacifist and was famous for his peaceful protests and sit-ins. A double CD set titled, "Working Class Hero" was released on October 4th to celebrate the 65th anniversary of his birth. This set features over two hours of music with 38 tracks.

George Harrison, the youngest Beatle, died November 29th, 2001. He and Ringo Starr both had successful solo careers, although they were not as popular as Paul and John. Ringo has been slated to receive a star on the Walk Of Fame in 2010, and George's website still raises money for those less fortunate. Each Beatle had a special quality about them, so it stands to reason that when they came together it would be legendary. Apple, along with EMI, are planning to release a limited edition apple shaped Beatles stereo USB Apples. Only 30,000 will be distributed worldwide.

Source: The Beatles Unseen Archives, Hill,Tim and Clayton, Marie, Parragon Publishing, UK, 2006

I love the Beatles not only because of their musical and songwriting ability, but also because they are linked to many fond memories of my brother. I was introduced to the Beatles by my brother at a very young age and from then on, music was our connection. He was the one who woke me up to tell me of John Lennon's death and it was he who left me his Beatles memorabilia after his own death. To me, they are one and the same. To this day, If I hear a Beatles song, I cry.