I was twelve years old when I discovered a very sad truth — there are people out there who have never heard of or listened to The Beatles. It was a sad day for me. I was sad for them. Didn’t everyone’s parents listen to The Beatles? Apparently not.
When I was in grade 7, the greatest hits compilation, 1, had come out a couple of years earlier, and my Humanities teacher played it in the background while we worked. I was at home with those songs. But, I found out from many of the other students (not just those who came from immigrant families) that it was not mandatory for parents to pass down a love of John, Paul, George and Ringo to their children. I think it should be.
This morning as I listened to “Hey Jude” (one of my all time favourites), I was reminded how lucky I am to have been given such a great foundation for my taste in music. Thank you, dad.
I promise the next generation will know the songs of The Beatles — the originals, not the ones from Glee.
{photo by Harry Benson}
