A Happy 2008 Video Birthday to John Lennon, A Man for All Ages

by Robert Wilkinson

October 9 every year I and millions around the world celebrate the birthday and life of St. John the Beatle, who gave the world "All You Need is Love" and "Give Peace A Chance," rallying cries that united countless people globally in ending a useless war. Today we have some special videos that may help those who weren't there to understand the power of this man who united the world.

A piece of what I wrote last year,

..."useless war" IS a redundancy! An orphan with a bad attitude, his life was a miracle journey of ego to the peak of absolute fame, power, and wealth, the crash that inevitably follows, and the redemption of a life through love, appreciation, and respect for inner and outer peace. Musician, author, caricaturist, movie star, hell raiser, rabble rouser, troubled genius and sometimes not a very nice guy, nonetheless he was one of the best of all time. Today we have a LOT of videos of this remarkable man for the ages.

In case you were on Uranus in the 60s, not yet born, or raised in a culturally deprived environment, a little backstory. The world was changed when he met Sir Paul when they were both kids in 50s post-war Britain and started making music together, quickly bringing in young Sir George forming the nucleus of a band that was remarkable in that it was BOTH a) the best at what they did, and b) the most loved for what they did. Beatlemania was truly a global phenomenon unlike anything before or since.

You can find a ton of videos in last year's post, which I've linked at the end of this one. For now, though, I found three remarkable videos of the first three appearances of the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in their first trip to the United States in February 1964. There are relatively few bands that truly change the world forever, and "the Fab Four" did just that. They jumpstarted a revolution like has never been seen before or since.

Thank you, John Lennon, for taking the "lads" to "the toppermost of the poppermost." Your life was a miracle, and we're all better off for you having come here and giving us some of the best music ever made. You would have been 68 if you hadn't been assassinated by a weasel. Millions of us still wish you were here.

And now, on with the shew! Meet the Beatles!

The Beatles first appearance in America, on the Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964 featuring "All My Loving," "Till There Was You," "She Loves You," and "I Want to Hold Your Hand." At the end of the clip there's even footage of them at a twist club after the show. Another version here.

The Beatles second appearance in America, on the Ed Sullivan Show, Miami, February 16, 1964 featuring "From Me To You," "This Boy," and "All My Loving."

The Beatles third appearance in America, on the Ed Sullivan Show, February 23, 1964 featuring "Twist and Shout," "Please Please Me," and the song that kicked it all off here in the states, "I Want To Hold Your Hand." Another version here. Both of these are from the documentary by the Maysles brothers.

A special treat! The original broadcast video of The Beatles doing the first global media event in history, All You Need Is Love.

For more videos of this remarkable man and his remarkable band, last year's A Happy Birthday to Saint John Lennon the Beatle - Videos of A Man for All Ages

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Micheline]

Robert you are one of the cooliest people I think I know. thats all I have to say.

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - Thanks. "And we all shine on...."