I am a big fan of The Beatles, so I am enjoying all the nostalgia about the group's first visit to the USA 50 years ago.
After seeing The Beatles first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show replayed countless times over the past week, I am surprised no one mentioned that John's microphone was dead during the performance. You never hear him sing that night. You only hear the voices of Paul and George. John mouths the lyrics, but you can't hear him!
Anyway, two things are stuck in my memory about those days.
--- Being a budding radio hobbyist, I had a transistor radio by my side 24/7 and I remember being impressed that The Beatles had taken over rock radio. It seemed as if all the rock stations were playing wall-to-wall music by the Fab Four for weeks, perhaps months on end back in 1964. I had heard nothing like that before (and nothing like that since).
--- Being a novice femulator, I was impressed that the Beatles wore "long" hair and high-heeled footwear... just like girls wore! Were skirts and makeup next? Will boys be dressing like girls real soon now?
I had high hopes and thought, "Don't let me down." But I should have known better.
Prisoners of war femulating on stage during World War I.
Wearing Ali Ro.