Paul and Ringo Are Good Role Models for Aging Boomers
The Beatles were a constant, compelling presence in the lives of baby boomers for six years between 1964 and 1970. First generation fans, as young as 6 and up through high school and college age, were not only intrigued by the non-stop flow of dazzling new music, images and ideas the Beatles presented; they were also intrigued by the Beatles as people, and boomers emulated the Fab Four in a variety of ways.
Immediately, young people saw the Beatles' hair as a symbol of freedom, and boys began finagling longer intervals between haircuts. Millions begged their parents for Beatle boots or saved their allowance or chore money to buy a pair. Then there were polka dot shirts, Nehru shirts and round wire glasses. The desert boots George wore on the cover of Abbey Road were de rigueur for cool high school boys in the fall of '69. And when trying to understand and take a position on the war in Vietnam, some boomers came to oppose the war because "cool people like the Beatles were against it."
The Beatles inspired millions of boomers to learn how to play an instrument and to make music and other creative pursuits integral to their developing identities. Many first-generation fans are grateful to the Beatles for opening their ears to music and awakening their aesthetic sensibilities.
By: Candy Leonard
Source: The Huffington Post
