It's surprising how you can look at something, have a reaction, and then look at the same thing later with a totally different reaction. That just happened to me when I re-watched The Beatles perform their last concert, a spur-of-the-moment one on a London rooftop in 1969.
The first time I saw the concert, fifty-two years ago, I admired the band's artistry. If we're being honest, I also envied how they were literally the most famous people on the planet at that time. There was no question about their premier status.
Now, I feel sorry for the Fab Four. Sad that two of them (John & George) died early deaths, one suffered a horribly bad romance (Paul), and the other (Ringo) simply slid into obscurity.
We can't freeze time and as it churns, our view changes. Prepare for this; it'll happen to you.
Is Ringo really that obscure? I never thought he was.
ReplyDeleteAgain, apologies for the cut-off Zoom call on Tuesday! They've restricted my free account now (this is new) so that more than 2 people can only chat for 40 minutes maximum. Arg.
My point about Ringo can be misunderstood: as a former-Beatle, he'll never be truly obscure; I'm just saying he didn't do anything afterward of cultural significance. He just piddled around.
DeleteIt's weird to look back on life. I wonder if Paul and Ringo look back and think about those days and what they thought their lives would be.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they do. I read a lot about Paul's reflections.
DeleteThis performance has long captivated me as well. I wonder, was there intentional symbolism in their performing it at a lofty height - as if to acknowledge, either on the nose or more subtly, that they truly were at the absolute height of the music industry throughout much of the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteAutumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life
I'm sure that thought entered their heads. Surprisingly, the "concert" was unplanned and resulted from last-minute thinking.
DeleteI'd like to see this show again; it's been ages since I last watched and I barely remember any of it. Time is a funny thing, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt IS really sad about what happened to the two that died. I think Paul has had a good life in many ways but sad that Linda died!
ReplyDeleteAre you ok? I just wondered from your final comment if things re alright.x
Thanks for your concern, Kezzie. I'm fine -- as fine as someone my age can be. When you hit this point, you get very nostalgic about the past and concerned about the future.
DeleteI am glad you are ok but if it is any consolation (or not, because I don't want either of us worrying bout things), I hit my 40th birthday soon (see my post which publishes tomorrow) and I am anxious about alot of things and decisions that I have to make peace with and worry whether I will regret those decisions in 10 years time etc.
DeleteOh, sweet Kezzie. I understand your anxiety but wish I could convince you to ease it. The things we worry about are not as big as they seem. In ten years you'll be happy.
DeleteIt's so true- we view these things one way in the moment and then another years down the road. And the passage of time (and the slipping away of youth) is so sneaky-- but when you see it/realize it, it can be so unsettling!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I'm still surprised and coming to terms with actors/singers/etc being my age when I look them up. I feel like they're definitely older than me.
ReplyDeleteThen again I had a "facebook memory" from 8 years ago that feels like yesterday.
Wise words! I feel like I've had this mindset since I was a child...I kind of always knew my perceptions would change as I got older.
ReplyDeletePrescient of you. Anyone in your field (museums) has respect for the past and its effect upon us. Have you seen "The Dig" (Netflix, 2020)?
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