40th Anniversary of Beatles Concert at Shea Stadium
A Reflection by Victor Lana
Forty years ago, on August 15, 1965, the Beatles played at Shea Stadium. No, they weren't shagging flies; they had a concert there. The stage was centered on second base, and the crowd (mostly consisting of screaming young girls) made it nearly impossible to hear anything of the music. Why does this moment resonate for Beatles and Mets fans until this day?
Well, for one thing, it is really one of the last moments where the Beatles were still connected to their mop-top image. Remember, Rubber Soul will soon be released, with the oddly warped images of the Fab Four leaving behind (or perhaps gently jolting) those innocent bubble gum dreamers forever. As the Beatles were evolving, they knew their Brian Epstein created image that captured the teeny boppers was going to have to go, along with the Pierre Cardin suits and the pudding bowl haircuts.
The other thing was that the Beatles' live performances were coming to an end (the last being in San Francisco in 1966). It is of note that while they were an amazing band to see in concert, their real awakening as musicians, writers, and singers would come in the studio. So this frenzied moment of glaring lights, screaming girls, and inaudible vocals was something to be cherished.
Finally, Mets fans didn't have much to cheer about at this point in their history. It is a moment of pride for most Mets fans that the concert took place at Shea and not that other stadium across the river in the Bronx. Even if the Beatles didn't know much about baseball, it gave Mets fans a thrill to know they had the Beatles on their turf. In fact, I still can't go to a game and not, for a brief moment, imagine the Beatles on that stage at second base. The ghosts of the young John, Paul, George, and Ringo will linger there forever, along with specters of every Mets player who ever crossed the bag.
Article comments
1 - Chench
What one would give to have been there. sigh.
ken
2 - The Proprietor
Watching the Shea concert is still an unbelievable display of excitement, energy and humor (look at John playing the organ with his elbow on "I'm Down", with George and Paul laughing their heads off at the sight).
The Shea film does engender a bit of controversy, as it's alleged that the soundtrack was redone at a session in January 1966 because of the poor quality of the audio. Tony Bramwell specifically cites this in his recent book, yet I've always been skeptical of this claim. There may have been some sweetening done of the soundtrack ("Act Naturally" is definitely the studio track with overdubbed screams though), but listening carefully to the Shea soundtrack, there are many vocal and instrumental clunkers that could only have come from a genuine live performance. Specific examples include the guitars being noticeably out of tune during "Twist and Shout" and many vocal clunkers during "I Feel Fine". The synchronization between the audio and visuals during "I Feel Fine" is noticeably off, however, this is hardly unprecedented. If there was a concerted effort at sweetening the film's soundtrack, I'm sure a better job would've been done of it, but the recording of "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby" from Shea (omitted from the film, as was "She's A Woman") on Anthology sounds quite good to my ears considering the arduous circumstances.
I wonder if Apple or Andrew Solt is responsible for it still sitting in the vault (the film was at least partially commissioned by Ed Sullivan, as Bob Precht, Sullivan's son-in-law, was the producer). It would be terrific to see this in a fully restored version, perhaps in some form of DVD set with other memorable Beatles live performances (NME Pollwinners, Saturday Night At Blackpool, Hollywood Bowl) that have been circulating surreptitiously through the collectors' community for years.
3 - Victor Lana
Proprietor,
Thanks for great comments. I particularly like the "Hollywood Bowl" recordings and the ones from The Star Club in Hamburg, which you've probably heard (which were recorded on a small tape recorder in the club that picked all sorts of noises, etc.).
I don't know about the Shea "redubbing" though I've heard things. It is clear from those I've spoken to (who were there as live witnesses) that they heard virtually nothing. My friend's sister told me she heard the intro to "I Feel Fine" and nothing else (because the screaming started and never stopped). Another friend said that there was some audible music during "Twist and Shout" and that's about it.
I can only imagine what it must have been like to be thirteen, sitting in box seats on the first base line, watching the Beatles on that summer night in 1965. Man, as Cench said, "To have been there."
Sigh indeed!
4 - teamlamb
The Beatles are becoming a distant memory now that Mariah is back!!
5 - Victor Lana
Team,
That's like saying Elvis is becoming a distant memory because of Clay Aiken.
Ouch!
6 - Donna
Every time I see the footage of this concert, I get chills thinking of how awesome it would have been to be there in that moment .
Unfortunately, I was born in Aug, 77. So, making it to the concert in Aug, 1965 was quite impossible for me. The Beatles are often cited as saying that they were “out of key, but didn’t care” However, watching the up-close clips, they sounded perfect. And, not only that, they were having fun, or at least, they were acting like it.
Long live the Beatles, and bless Paul and Ringo, our two remaining.
7 - Vinnie k
Yeah I was too young and three thousand miles from Shea to have been there. I do however remember watching the film in it's December '66 airing. One thing that strikes me the most is the announcment of the BEATLES as the concert began. It showed one of NYs' finest,his back to the fans, throwing his hands to his ears and the grimace on his face as the mayhem started. I guess the screams of 50,000 plus healthy lungs of the girls will do that to a person.
I doubt that the BEATLES will ever be forgoten soon what with a new generation of fans cropping up every day, month and year. It's hard to believe that both John and George (my two personal faves) have "copper pennies on their eyes.
I strongly suggest you read "The Lve you Make" by one of the groups long time insiders Peter Brown It's a real eye opener.
Shea stadium. I imagine it still rings of the BEATLES watershed moment that was and still is the most importent moment in rock history.
8 - Tom
sHEA IS A MILESTONE IN HISTORY- Not just BEatles or Rock history- It is a defining momnet-
It is a MUST have for all BEatles fans
Since I have been collecting Beatle video-early 80s..I have seen some crappy copies until I finally got a really nice one from JAPANESE Video Disc friend. Do not believe in all this e remastered copies--APPLE has it or ABC and Apple and NEITHER ha anounced it anywhere--Buy the best you can afford.
9 - John lopez
THE BEATLES FOREVER AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
Shea Stadium serves as a true testament of the sheer genius and greatness of THE FAB FOUR. Please remember that Shea Stadium serves as the very FIRST major Rock concert event EVER at a stadium! No disrespect to ELVIS but not even ELVIS did that. To sum it up, thanks to Ed Sullivan, THE BEATLES saved Rock n' Roll.
LONG LIVE THE BEATLES!