The only descriptions on the back of this postcard are "The Beatles" and "Echte Foto" so we must guess at the time and place of this marvelous scene. When I found it for sale by a German vendor I jumped to buy it because I've never seen a photo of John Lennon smiling quite that happily, and I thought the setting was just beautiful.
This week commemorates 50 years since The Beatles recorded their first record. I know this historical fact not because I saw it on a television report, news or entertainment-related. Not because I read about it in a magazine, print or online, rock-related or not. Not because I wrote the date on my calendar a long time ago and brought it forward year-after-year the way I do many other personal and historical anniversaries. And not because I heard about it on the radio.
I learned that September 11, 2012 was the 50th anniversary of that auspicious recording occasion (do you know what song it was they recorded that day?) in the life of those lads from a most marvelous post at one of my favorite blogs. "The Rant" by Tom Degan: Fifty Years of the Beatles is a passionate account of that day and beyond, and it is so informative, so engaging, such a perfect read, that I am simply going to ask you to click on the link to enjoy it yourself.
In 1980, 18 years after that first recording by The Beatles, John Lennon wrote and recorded Beautiful Boy about his son, Sean. I thought about it when I saw how beautiful "the boys" were in this old postcard. I've always loved this poignant song, and the video below appealed to me because of the pictures.....among which is one of John's beaming smile similar to the shot above. You can see this other happy and contented smile at 3:00 in the video.
.
12 comments:
John Lennon looks like a different person - amazing what a heartfelt smile can do.
The postcard is a production still from their movie, Help!, from the scene where they are singing Another Girl. I like the black and white - very striking! And you're absolutely right, John looks particularly happy!
I love this, the look the boys all have, the memories of those golden years.
A lot of history in that card, and in your post. John and George now sadly gone. Paul carrying on. Ringo virtually lost (but he is still out there, somewhere).
Thanks.
Nice post on the Beatles -- a favorite group of mine. Especially liked the video "Beautiful Boy," a very nostalgic song for me. Thanks -- barbara
Freda~ Yes, and that smile shows that he did indeed have some authentically happy times in his life.
Anonymous~ Wow, thank you so much for leaving this informative comment. :)
rosaria~ Your short comment brought tears to my eyes...
Rob-bear~ Hardly seems possible that 50 years have gone by that quickly. I am glad that Paul is still out there proving that life goes on and is ever changing.
Barbara~ Yes, this particular rendition of "Beautiful Boy" is so beautiful. I like it better than the one on the album.
well, i hate to disagree -but according to that font of dubious knowledge Wikipedia "The Beatles' first recording session under Martin's direction took place at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London on 6 June 1962" - that was with Pete Best though
It does go on to say: A 4 September session at EMI yielded a recording of "Love Me Do" featuring Starr on drums, but a dissatisfied Martin hired drummer Andy White for the band's third session a week later, which produced recordings of "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me" and "P.S. I Love You".[37] Martin initially selected the Starr version of "Love Me Do" for the band's first single, though subsequent re-pressings featured the White version, with Starr on tambourine.[37] Released in early October, "Love Me Do" peaked at number seventeen on the Record Retailer chart
I dunno about solo Lennon, or McCartney - I always feel that neither of them really ever reached the same heights again. Clearly Imagine was great, but Merry Xmas (War Is Over) is gobsmackingly terrible and Live And Let Die is good, but the less said about Frog Chorus the better...
def like hte beetles...and while in many ways before my time they captured me early...i think it was a guy on the loading docks that introduced me to them...
I loved listening to this just now. John Lennon was a rough gentle tall small man. I've always admired him.
The day the music died.....I remember
Love
kj
Nice memories of a time when we all thought 'it's getting better all the time' and always would. Together they were an absolute marvel for a few short years. I'm sure somewhere the pure stream of music does go on forever.
what a beautiful post- I loved the beatles then and still do now! Thanks Lydia!
Pixies~ Oh, I am so confused!
Brian~ Interesting how you came to be introduced to the group. :)
kj~ I absolutely LOVE your description of Lennon. Marvelous. And I too remember that sad, sad day.
susan~ Yes, and how could it have turned so wrong....
Kathe~ Thank you!
Post a Comment