Friday, June 23, 2006
Paul becomes 64.
WHEN I’M SIXTY FOUR: This number is becoming more and more popular with banjo players who usually play the “Tin Pan Alley” music from the 1920’s but have conceded that some more modern music also fits the banjo entertainers program.
Originally recorded by the Beatles in 1966, it was part of their 1967 eighth album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This album revolutionized popular music and stayed in the top of the charts for several months.Paul McCartney wrote the words to the song when he was 16 (1958). It was originally written as a 64th Birthday gift to his father. Later, John Lennon was not initially receptive to the song, so it was not released until almost 10 years later.
Last month, on June 18, 2006, Paul McCartney turned 64. Something that was probably way beyond conception in those early days. When you are young, it is hard to imagine being that old.
The following are the dates when Beatles turned (or would have turned if they were still alive) 64:
Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) July 7, 2004.
The late John Lennon, October 9, 2004.
Sir Paul McCartney, June 18, 2006.
The late George Harrison, February 4, 2007.
All of the Beatles except Ringo, started their musical life playing banjo or ukulele and this number was credited by the BBC's World Service as being influenced by the great British music hall entertainer George Formby. Paul played the ukulele on the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band hit of "I'm the Urban Spaceman" as he thought the uke playing bandleader, Vivian Stanshall was not good enough on the ukulele to play it himself.
Submitted by Derek Channing,
Michigan, USA.
