#august 1961

[get-back-homeward]

August 31, 1961: Bob Wooler predicts the Beatles’ future in Mersey Beat

A PHENOMENON CALLED THE BEATLES!

by Bob Wooler [x]

Why do you think The Beatles are so popular? Many people many times have asked me this question since that fantastic night (Tuesday, December 27th, 1960) at Litherland Town Hall, when the impact of the act was first felt on this side of the River. I consider myself privileged to have been associated with the launching of the group on that exciting occasion, and grateful for the opportunities of presenting them to fever-pitch audiences at practically all of the group’s subsequent appearances prior to their last Hamburg trip.

Perhaps my close association with the group’s activities, both earlier this year and since their recent reappearance on the Merseyside scene, persuades people to think that I can produce a blueprint of The Beatles Success Story. It figures, I suppose, and if, in attempting to explain the popularity of their act, the following analysis is at variance with other people’s views, well that’s just one of those things. The question is nevertheless thought-provoking.

Well then, how to answer it? First some obvious observations. The Beatles are the biggest thing to have hit the Liverpool rock ’n’ roll setup in years. They were, and still are, the hottest local property any Rock promoter is likely to encounter. To many of these gentlemen’s ears, Beatle-brand noises are cacophonous on stage, but who can ignore the fact that the same sounds translate into the sweetest music this side of heaven at the box office!

I think The Beatles are No. 1 because they resurrected original style rock ’n’ roll music, the origins of which are to be found in American negro singers. They hit the scene when it had been emasculated by figures like Cliff Richard and sounds like those electronic wonders The Shadows and their many imitators. Gone was the drive that inflamed the emotions. This was studio set jungle music purveyed skillfully in a chartwise direction by arrangement with the A & R men.

The Beatles, therefore, exploded on a jaded scene. And to those people on the verge of quitting teendom—those who had experienced during their most impressionable years the impact of rhythm ’n’ blues music (raw rock ’n’ roll)—this was an experience, a process of regaining and reliving a style of sounds and associated feelings identifiable with their era.

Here again, in The Beatles, was the stuff that screams are made of. Here was the excitement—both physical and aural—that symbolized the rebellion of youth in the ennuied mid-1950’s. This was the real thing. Here they were, first five and then four human dynamos generating a beat which was irresistible. Turning back the Rock clock. Pounding out items from Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, The Coasters and the other great etceteras of the era. Here they were, unmindful of uniformity of dress. Unkempt-like long hair. Rugged yet romantic, appealing to both sexes. With calculated naivete and an ingenious, throw-away approach to their music. Affecting indifference to audience response and yet always saying “Thank-you.” Reviving interest in and commanding enthusiasm for numbers which descended the Charts way back. Popularizing (more than any other group) flipside items—example, “Boys.” Compelling attention and influencing, wittingly or unwittingly, other groups in the style, choice and presentation of songs.

Essentially a vocal act, hardly ever instrumental (at least not in this country), here they were, independently minded, playing what they liked for kicks, kudos and cash. Privileged in having gained prestige and experience from a residency at the Hamburg Top Ten Club during the autumn and winter of last year. Musically authoritative and physically magnetic, example the mean, moody magnificence of drummer Pete Best—a sort of teenage Jeff Chandler. A remarkable variety of talented voices which song-wise sound distinctive, but when speaking, possess the same naivete of tone. Rhythmic revolutionaries. An act which from beginning to end is a succession of climaxes. A personality cult. Seemingly unambitious, yet fluctuating between the self-assured and the vulnerable. Truly a phenomenon—and also a predicament to promoters! Such are the fantastic Beatles. I don’t think anything like them will happen again.

———

Retrospective from Bill Harry, Editor of Mersey Beat [x]

Editor’s note: Cavern disc jockey Bob Wooler, a Mersey Beat columnist, penned this piece in the August 31 1961 issue of Mersey Beat. How prophetic his last sentence proved to be! In recent years I told Bob I intended to revive Mersey Beat and I wanted him back in the fold as a columnist. Sadly, he died early in 2002 while I was still panning the website.

There are one or two things I would like to point out. The main advertisement on this page was for NEMS record store. Apart from the fact that I regularly discussed the Beatles and the Mersey scene with Brian Epstein each time I dropped copies to him, in addition to the fact that he began to review records for me from Issue No. 3, it is obvious from the sort of coverage, such as this article, which the Beatles were receiving every issue, that Epstein was aware of the Beatles from Mersey Beat and not some youngsters asking for a record in his store some months later. Bob also mentions the impact the group made at Litherland Town Hall. It was Bob who persuaded promoter Brian Kelly to book them for their debut appearance there on that date. It's also interesting to note that the only member of the Beatles mentioned by name is drummer Pete Best. Bob nicked the 'mean, moody, magnificent' tag from Howard Hughes' description of Jane Russell in the movie 'The Outlaw.' As this article was published in 1961, Bob did get something wrong: he mentions a residency at the "Hamburg Top Ten Club during the autumn and winter of last year." They only had residencies at the Indra and Kaiserkeller in 1960, although they made a few appearances at the Top Ten (Their Top Ten residency didn't actually commence until 1961).

[chicinsilk]

US Vogue August 15, 1961

Babouche in burgundy calfskin, with a tapered end and shiny knots; Charles Jourdan.

Ombre green lacquered lizard with thin toe; Margaret Jerold.

Opera pump in brown-pink patent leather, square toe; Herbert Levine. 4. Square toe shiny black lizard slingback pump; Millerkins.

Burnt red lizard shoe, square toe; Delman.

Cedar brown calf leather shoe with. instep strap: Saks Fifth Avenue.

Country shoe in black calfskin, square toe; Entrance.

Walking shoe in cedar brown grained calfskin, flat toe: Andrew Geller.

Walking shoe in cedar brown grained calfskin, flat toe: Andrew Geller.

Simone d'Aillencourt in a green brushed wool terry coat (Stroock fabric) lined with natural red fox. By Matline. Shoes by Papagallo, Bottoms by Archer, makeup by Estée Lauder.

Babouche en cuir de veau bordeaux, à bout effilé et nœuds brillants ; Charles Jourdan.

Lézard laqué vert ombre avec bout fin; Margaret Jerold.

Escarpin opéra en cuir verni marron-rose, bout carré ; Herbert Levine.

Escarpin à brides en lézard noir brillant à bout carré ; Millerkins.

Chaussure en lézard rouge brûlé, bout carré; Delman.

Chaussure en cuir de veau brun cèdre avec. sangle de cou-de-pied : Saks Fifth Avenue.

Chaussure country en cuir de veau noir, bout carré; Entrée.

Chaussure de marche en cuir de veau grainé brun cèdre, bout plat : Andrew Geller.

Simone d'Aillencourt dans un manteau de ratine de laine grattée vert (tissu Stroock) doublé de renard roux naturel. Par Matline. Chaussures par Papagallo, Bas par Archer, maquillage par Estée Lauder.

Photo Tom Palumbo vogue archive

[yetanothercomicbook]

Doctor Droom Meets Zemu

Doctor Druid  [Amazing Adventures #3]

What an unexceptional hero!

Druid (called “Droom” here) is suspicious of Zamu (called “Zemu” here), a famous magician who is planning to enter politics.

Our hero's instincts are correct and he uncovers an alien invasion. But... at the end of the story his arsenal consists of: hiding, ventriloquism, and hypnosis. That's it. He climbs up a rope, too. He's not the most exciting of heroes.

5/10

[theamericanpin-up]

Al Buell - August 1961 Al Buell's Beauties Calendar Illustration - Brown & Bigelow Calendar Co.

[vox-anglosphere]

'Goodbye England's Rose.. '

[nobrashfestivity]

Kazuo Nakamura, August, Morning Reflections, 1961, oil on canvas, 93.7 x 121. 5 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (9525). (National Gallery of Canada. © Estate of Kazuo Nakamura)

[flapperdame16]

Disney displays 101 dalmatians, beauty and the beast, lion king, dumbo at the volo museum

[dateinthelife]

12 August 1961

One of many sensational jive dances occurs tonight featuring THE DYNAMIC BEATLES, whoever they are.

Do tell your friends the great news.

[rabbitcruiser]

The International Hockey Hall of Fame was opened in Toronto on August 26, 1961.

[gracie-bird]

GREEK HOLIDAYS: The Princely family of Monaco enjoys holidays with the Onassis in Athens, Greece on August 30, 1961.

[mysterioushimachal]

History of Gobind Sagar Lake: The Submerged Legacy of Bilaspur

[history-today]

August 10th 1961: The US Army begins Operation Ranch Hand in the Vietnam War. It sprays 20million…

August 10th, 1961: The US Army begins Operation Ranch Hand in the Vietnam War. It sprays 20million gallons of chemicals over rural South Vietnam to decrease food supplies for the Viet Cong.

[birminghamuk49]

Harborne High Street -12 August 1961

[theamericanpin-up]

Alberto Vargas - August 1961 Playboy Magazine Vargas Girl Illustration

[trusttasty]

August 15th 1961 numerology life path number

#August 15th 1961 numerology life path number how to#

Numerology calculations are very literal. But their strong desire for success could come at a high cost the fighting spirit of some Life Path 1s could end up alienating them from others, or. So if you’re a “10,” then you would reduce to a “1” Life Path number (1 + 0 = 1). Life Path Number 1s are usually blessed with motivation, enthusiasm, creativity and inspiration, and they tend to be physically healthier and mentally stronger than many other people. There are also Master Life Path numbers 11, 22 and 33, but unless you’re one of these three numbers, you’ll always reduce your numerical calculation to the lowest possible singular digit. If you want to get to know and understand yourself more deeply and find answers to big questions like why you’re here and what you’re meant to do in this lifetime, the answers can be revealed through numerology and your Life Path number. It also tells you what you’re here to specifically learn in your lifetime: your strong points and even your weak points, which are very important to your soul’s evolution.

#August 15th 1961 numerology life path number how to#

Your Life Path number is arguably the most significant in numerological terms, as it is a road map to your future-why you’re here, what you excel in, and how to use your talents to fulfill your destiny. Numerology can also give you the ability to recognize specific obstacles on your path in order to overcome them, enabling you to evolve as a person and a soul. For a complete profile of your Life Path Number, consider getting a numerology reading from me. Through numbers, we can break down the patterns of the universe and uncover important information and key parts of your cosmic plan. There are nine primary Life Paths, each corresponding with a number 1 through 9. If two persons have the same life path number, then both people have the same traits and characteristics, which lead to friendly compatibility with each other forever.Are you a 5, a 9 or maybe a 33? What’s your Life Path number and what does it say about you? In numerology, the answers are in the numbers. Do the same numerology number of two persons are always compatible? The Life path numbers of both persons determine the quality of love and affection for the marriage purpose. Yes, we can check marriage compatibility in numerology through the birth dates of a couple. The number 5 brings a whirlpool of unpredictable events to your life, throwing into the mix an. Can we check marriage compatibility by birth date numerology? You are most compatible with life path numbers 5 and 7. As a 1 Life Path Number, you have extremely high standards and will strive to be the first at everything you do. Because you are so compromising, a lot of life path numbers complement your congenial. So, this numeric is used in birth date matchmaking. Numerology Compatibility Calculator: Which Life Paths Match. It can drive desires and our goal for life. Why is the life path number taken for the numerology birth date compatibility?Ī Life path is the vital and the core number in numerology, which can drive the person emotionally. The birthday compatibility calculator can do the same. The compatibility analysis of numerology numbers between two persons can be easily performed by life path numbers of both, which is said to be numerology Synastry or compatibility by date of birth. Frequently Asked Questions What is numerology compatibility by birth date?

[ltwilliammowett]

Wreck of the Vasa

The Vasa was a Swedish galleon that was one of the largest and most heavily armed warships of its time. At the beginning of her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628, the Vasa sank after sailing only around 1300 metres in normal seas due to serious structural instability. After being salvaged in 1961, its components were stabilised and restored. She is now on display at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.