Beatles’ power byproduct of passion
Baby boomer Beatle Paul McCartney’s new offering to the music world is “Memory Full.” Clever, title … but what else would we expect from him, this musical genius and our hands-down favorite Beatle?
Looking back on lives of the Fab Four, is it any wonder that McCartney’s “memory is full?” This group was so all-fired hot in the 1970s; they were a pop phenomenon. But, unlike many rock groups that rose to such stratospheric heights, the Beatles remained true to their purpose – a passion (and talent) for writing and performing music. Quite remarkable, in light of the hysteria they created wherever they went.
Back in 1969, the world was their oyster – their power was awesome. I know, because I experienced their power, personally, and in a most unique way.
It was early February 1969. Four co-workers and I were in New York on our quarterly trip for Fashion Week. We were staying in a suite of rooms at the very elegant Plaza Hotel, which was also where we held our daily showings for fashion buyers for the California designer whom we represented.
During the middle of our first week, the bellboy told us the that Beatles (who?) had just checked into the hotel and the place was all atwitter with media and excited teenagers. That same day, our buyers were coming in late for their showings – their taxis could not even get close to the hotel due to the huge crowds that had gathered.
We looked out the window and we couldn’t believe our eyes. Being 12 floors up, we’d been unaware of all the commotion in the street below.
There was a solid logjam of people in all the streets leading to the Plaza, surrounding the building. Across the street at Bergdorf-Goodman, shoppers couldn’t even get in the store to spend their fortunes. Mounted police were everywhere, trying to hold back the crowds.
Intrigued, we decided to go out on the balcony for a pigeon’s-eye view of this wondrous happening. As we leaned over the railing and took a peek from our high perch, we were astounded … and overwhelmed … as we tried to comprehend this monstrous mass of humanity.
Suddenly, people in the crowd started to scream and wave at us. When we waved back, it was as if an electric shock had charged through the crowd … they started to go wild. It was at that moment we realized they thought we were The Beatles!
It’s no wonder – all four of us had very short, dark brown hair with long bangs. From the street we could easily have been mistaken for the Beatles.
As the crowd screamed and waved, we suddenly felt a sensation of our own, raw power. It was exhilarating. It was addictive. We loved it … we became power mad. With every break, we’d dash back to the balcony for another “power fix.”
But, our reign of power was soon to end, heralded by a ring at our door. Standing there was the frazzled hotel manager. He was trying to look his aristocratic best, despite a quiver in his stiff-upper lip, and it was with the utmost decorum and restraint – and with all the delicacy he could muster up – that he said, “There are some people on your balcony imitating the Beatles. Would you mind too much asking them not to do that?”
Yeah, we know who they were. We were the culprits that agitated the crowd and it was just about the most fun we’d ever had in our lives. I admit we were ashamed – but even in our remorse we still craved just one more look over that balcony.
As long as I live I shall never forget that sensation of power. By simply showing myself and waving my hand, the crowd was mine. It’s a feeling that truly must be experienced firsthand. Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini came to mind.
“Power tends to corrupt, and, absolute power corrupts absolutely,” is a famous aphorism, coined by the equally famous Lord Acton, the 19th century’s favorite historian. He added that most men in power were “bad men.” Could that be true today?
As election time approaches and political fever mounts, the question of power becomes all the more relevant. One has to wonder what drives today’s political wannabe’s. What drives them to suffer a scorching midday Iowa sun, just to pontificate enthusiastically to a handful of people? Is it passion for the country or a play for power? Can we learn to differentiate?
Why, I wonder were the Beatles not totally corrupted by their enormous power? Obviously, power was never their objective; it was just the unintentional result. They electrified the world with their passion for their music; their power just happened. (Incidentally, the pay was pretty good, too.)
Passion is good; passion works.