Yes, when I was fifteen two very important things happened, or rather started. Can you guess what these two events could be? No - well, then I will tell you.
On the 5th October 1962, a new single entitled "Love Me Do" hit record shops all over England, sung by a group calling themselves The Beatles, although they were hardly known outside their native city of Liverpool.
The rest, as they say, is history. I actually saw them when they visited my home town, although you couldn't really hear them sing, because the audience screamed from start to finish!! My favourite was George. He seemed like the quiet one of the group, and that rather appealed to me.
They absolutely took the world by storm, and I can still remember them landing at all the different airports with thousands and thousands of screaming girls waiting to greet them. I wasn't all that keen on that first record, but I loved their second one, Please Please Me, which was released in January l963. It went right to the top of the charts, and Beatlemania was born. It would be another year though before they also took America by storm.
I was a devoted fan from thereon in, and I still have all my Beatles Monthly magazines in the loft, together with numerous scrapbooks that I compiled. I wonder if they might be worth a bit of money now?!
The second thing that happened fifty years ago was the start of the James Bond films, strangely enough also in October of 1962. The first Bond film, of course, was Dr No with Sean Connery. Who could forget all the terrific villains that appeared in these iconic films? The two that stick in my mind are Rosa Klebb (terrific) and Oddjob with his steel bowler hat. There was also the one that used to sit stroking that white persian cat, but I can't remember his name!
Who do you think was the best James Bond? I think I liked all of them, although I suppose the definitive one has to be Sean Connery. Back in the 60's I saw the films as they were released, and the queues used to stretch all around the cinema building!
The latest Bond movie entitled Skyfall will hit the cinemas in the United Kingdom on the 26th October, and November in the United States. All the Bond movie themes are fantastic (Shirley Bassey singing Goldfinger, and Matt Monro singing From Russia With Love are two of my favourites.) Adele is the latest artist to sing a Bond theme, and her Skyfall has gone right to the top of the charts, the first time that a Bond theme has managed to get to number 1.
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Hopefully the above link will enable you to listen to Adele's song, although I'm not usually very successful with trying to link a video from YouTube!
17 comments:
As you know, I am a big Beatles fan and loved to read your first impressions of them. Glad you got to see them sing! I did too and I'll never forget it. 'Please Please Me' is still one of my favorite recordings.
I still remember going to see the first Bond movie, 'Dr. No'. It was so different and amazing. I still see all the Bond movies and love David Craig. Sean Connery and Craig are a tie for me as James Bond. Good memories, Diane!
Good Morning Diane, lovely memories :)
I like Sean Connery best I think, Daniel Craig is also good. Gettin' ready for work - another day in paradise (NOT) hehe. Have a lovely day my friend!
Hugs x
My favourite Bond men were Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. Don't like Daniel Craig too much though. I always remember the villain Jaws with his mouth full of metal teeth!
Hallo, dear Thisisme! Thank you for the history lesson. Many stateside don't realize that the Beatles became a phenomenon in England more than a year before they took America by storm. I'm glad you like George. His songs and John's are the most timeless and enduring. I also remember the splash made by the OO7 movie series. I went to see them all in theaters and was blown away by them. Connery was the definitive Bond, IMHO. Have a wonderful day, dear Thisisme!
We're very close to the same age. I remember well when the Beatles took America by storm! If I had had an opportunity to go to one of their concerts, I would have been one of the screaming girls.
What a great post, Diane! I, too, loved The Beatles, but was never one of those "crazy, screaming" girls! When they came to the USA, as you said, it was Beatlemania! I'll never forget seeing them sing on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time! And you definitely have some memorabilia that is most likely worth A LOT!
Now....James Bond = Sean Connery! He is THE James Bond! I'm sure younger people who didn't grow up with Sean being James might think differently. I just heard Adele's theme song the other day, and as always, it is beautiful. I love that gal!! Thanks for a trip down memory lane!
I love your new header Diane, as you say Vintage, ;-) .. I am not or was not a Beatles fan (but did listen to their music, had to my parents played it )or a James Bond fan .. but I do like Adele .. love her singing ♥
I would think about selling those Beatles monthlies ..or at least see how much they are worth, can always go to an auctioneers and ask ... what is the point of them being in the loft .. you could buy your grandchildren a gift to keep :-) or take a trip ♥ If I had something to sell I would LOL .. No I am being serious .:-)
I saw the Beatles in 1963 at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - my brother (who is not here any more) took me - he was so sweet to me.
And Sean for sure!
Well my dear friend us being the same age I admit to really liking their music too and was amazed at all the girls that happened to be at every concert. There were other groups that came along during that time that also had great sounds and popularity. All in all it was a good time to enjoy music. Of course for James Bond it has to always be Sean Connery. I am one person that does not like change when it comes to movies like Bond. I am a fan of the Bourne series with Jason Bourne as the lead character and now they have come out with a fourth movie staring someone else. I haven't had a desire to even go and see it. But that is just Odie. Another wonderful post my sweet friend.
Hugs,
Odie
I'm soooo jealous that you got to see the Fab Four! That first Ed Sullivan show is forever etched in my mind, and I loved them desperately ... like you, George the best.
For some reason, I never got "into" the 007 flicks -- but from a side-liner's point of view would give Sean Connery my thumb's up.
Hi Diane,
What a great post. I loved the Beatles from the age of 5, when they had a little animated television show. I told my mother I was going to marry Paul. Very sweetly, she didn't say that this wasn't a possibility.
This was exciting! You knew of the Beatles before I did...UNFAIR! But, they were so much fun. I'm with you, I liked George a lot, and still admire him and his work.
As for 007, umm uum umm...Sean Connery is my favorite too. Karo says the character with the cat was called 'Blofeld' played by Charles Gray in Diamonds Are Forever, with Jill St. John. We still watch Bond movies when they're on. And, I hear that Adele is singing the theme song to the new James Bond movie. I got to hear it the other day, and, it's beautiful!
Loved your post Diane, have a great week. Will see you soon!♥
Oh yes-Those memories of the Beatles are enchanting because I was so enchanted with Paul,His big eyes really got to Me.No one can beat Sean Connery as Bond .Great memories-thank you Denise
Nobody does it better is my favourite Bond theme.
Have a great weekend, Diane.
carol x
I was never a big Beatles fan but I have always loved the James Bond movies my favourite was Roger Moore
Dearest Diane,
I smiled to read "I still have all my Beatles Monthly magazines in the loft". I am still keeping my old favorite Japanese actor's scrapbook, p;) Somehow I don't know why I cannot throw it away. I remember my late brother loved Sean Connery, and I also liked his version like he used to be. And I remember I heard the interview he was having. Great voice like "Shocking!!!" in the movie, haha.
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Oh those handsome bugs! So young and fresh in that photo! As for Bond, "M" is my favourite. Sean Conery is the penultimate and Daniel Craig is HOT! Happy Anniversary.
Rosemary
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