“Victims” Of Beatlemania

[Interview]: John Babcock with Al Wiman and Roger Christian of radio station KWFB, Hollywood, CA

If the off-stage Beatles feel somewhat impersonal toward the public, the public never seems impersonal when it comes to The Beatles: People either like The Beatles or dislike The Beatles. But indifference is almost never discovered. For those who like The Beatles, the feelings may run to high emotion such as a victim of Beatlemania, or perhaps a more subdued but loyal response such as this: "They give the change of something in the way of non-conformity and i think every teenager well, that's what they look for, especially in this day and age. They stress non-conformity and that's what The Beatles are."

Of course, there are sometimes distraught fathers who shake their heads in confused disbelief after watching their daughters wilt under the emotional strain of idol worship. "Ah, it's a mob, you know. They're just part of the mob. I mean, uh, they're monkey-see, monkey-do it, so they come running. That's all. It's like a bunch of monkeys, you know."

And let's not forget some of the adult mothers who accompany youngsters to airport fan club rallies. "You look like a housewife. Are you here to see The Beatles?" "Oh, you must be kidding. My husband's coming. And otherwise, do you think I’d fight this motley crew?"

But whether you're a fan or a critic, Beatlemania is a reality. And as Longfellow once advised, "For after all, the best thing one can do when it's raining, is to let it rain."