For four weeks up until February 1, 50 years ago, the #1 song in the U.S. was “There! I’ve Said It Again” by Bobby Vinton. Then things changed. For the next 14 weeks, the #1 song was a Beatles song. First, “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” then “She Loves You” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Sunday, February 9, 50 years ago, attention riveted on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Beatles’ first appearance on American TV. Did you watch? The February 28, 1964, edition of Cathedral Chronicle had no mention of the Beatles. How big a deal were they at school? Among your friends?

The March 25, 1964, issue of the Chronicle, however, contained an article (click image of article to enlarge) about classmate Sandra Bruschi getting an autograph of Ringo, through the auspices of a family friend, while Sandy and her family were vacationing in Miami Beach. The Beatles were in Miami Beach at the time as well.

She brought a photo of the “Fab Four,” with the inscription “To Sandy and Helene [her sister], with love, The Beatles, Ringo Starr,” to school where it was on display for a day in Fr. Bourque’s classroom.

The Minstrel Revue senior year, in April, did not ignore the Beatles, certainly. In a segment entitled “The English Cross the Channel for a Visit,” there was a “Typically English” group, the song “Charade,” and “The Four Chaps” doing “Something Sophisticated.” Bill Danoff, Larry Dempsey, and Brendan Montano often performed for us. But the Beatles were not a trio. On this one occasion, they added Mike Reavey.  Mike recalls they wore wigs and probably performed a Beatles song, though, as he says, “I did not sing a note.” Early lip synch.

This is a picture of The Four Chaps (l-r): Larry Dempsey, Bill Danoff, Mike Reavey, and Brendan Montano, culled from the Minstrel Revue program and slightly edited.

Anyone remember more about their performance? Oh, for video cameras back then. Did anyone ever take “movies”?