I grew up with divorced parents. One lived on the Southside of Chicago, the other on the North. My mother had custody of me, so every other week my dad would drive down and pick me up for the weekend. This made for some fun-filled hour long car rides driving through the city fighting Friday night traffic.
I recall a particular time when my dad asked me what I wanted to listen to. I pulled out my favorite CD and handed it to him. He popped it in, and was greeted to the vicious, unedited rawness of . From the back seat I watched the horror grow in his face, as the song “White America” went into the first verse. He promptly ejected the CD, and threw it out the window. I was in awe. You’re probably wondering what this has to do with the Beatles. The Eminem Show
I’ll never forget what happened next because what he did was the the most influential moment in my life. He pulled off the highway, and found the nearest record store. We walked in and he bought 3 albums. , , and . I was 11 years old and had never heard Beatles before. He first put in . “Now this is real music” he said. I remember falling in love with the friendly, exuberance sound of . I was in band in grammar school at this time and played the trombone. When I heard the horns in the opening track, I was hooked. The whole album captivated me and over the passing months, would sing each track together alternating lines in “With a Little Help With My Friends”. He would edit some lines to a kid friendly versions like instead of “I get high with a little help from my friends” he would change it to “I eat with a little help from my friends.” I didn’t know the real lyrics until years later. We would rotate these three albums non-stop until I became old enough to drive myself up to his apartment in Skokie, IL. He would always encourage me to listen to the whimsical instruments like the clarinet on “When I’m 64” or the story telling qualities of song, “Rocky Raccoon.” I had never heard anything like it before, and it changed how I viewed music from that day on.Sgt. PeppersAbbey RoadThe White AlbumSgt. PeppersSgt. PepperspieThe White Album
My dad was always an influential part of my life (and still is). He took me to concerts and theatredowntown and I largely credit him for developing my taste in music simply because of what happened that summer day in 2004.
The reason I love The Beatles is because they mean more to me than any other band ever has. They were more than just music; they were the the pioneers of the concept album; the figureheads of a political movement; and became the most beloved band on earth for these reasons. They preached peace and love, in a time when it was needed most. They came into my life when I needed them most. They connect me to my father. They are the reason I pursued a career in music. For this, I am eternally grateful.
