Living History

Two sisters and a Beatles concert

I was listening to music coming from a juke box in a Milk Bar somewhere on the Northern Beaches the first time I heard the song "I Wanna Hold Your Hand'. I remember thinking - 'This song is going to be a hit'!

Soon after (when I was 14 years old) I remember heading out to the local railway station to go into the City with my elder sister. I was dressed in my purple and black houndstooth mumu with black skivvy underneath and the absolutely coolest black ankle boots with gold buckles. My hair blonded by the sun was worn in a surfie style. I was looking SO up-to-date and feeling very mature and grand. I can still close my eyes and see myself now.

What was the event occasioning this personification of perfection? The Beatles concert at the old Sydney stadium. My sister and I were off to see them. We were so excited but, agreed wholeheartedly that we, as young North Shore, sophisticated women, were NOT going to be so crass and scream when we were at the concert. We'd seen other young people on the television 'carry on' (to use the expression our parents used). That was not going to be how we behaved!

Well, of course once there, the occasion caught us up and we, just like a thousand others, screamed our heads off in absolute delight at the wonder and excitement of this momentous occasion. I think somewhere in amongst all the excitement I heard some music and song.

Roberta, Canberra

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