From the first time I heard the Beatles as a young teenager,
I knew nothing would ever be the same. It was a musical (and cultural) turning
point for me and remains so almost 50 years later.
Like most parents in the 60’s, mine were skeptical. My
father in particular was not impressed. This largely had to do with the fact
that his father was Scottish musician Hugh Roberton, conductor of the world
famous Glasgow Orpheus Choir. Now that was real music, my father insisted, and if there was any doubt, Hugh
Roberton had become Sir Hugh in 1931 as a result of his musical achievements.
Just the same, I persevered and the years went by. One day,
shortly before his 90th birthday, my father completely out of the
blue and in his broad Scots accent announced that “the Beatles were wonderful composers”. I was astonished
and reminded him that he certainly hadn’t thought so in the 1960’s! “No”, he
said.”I didn’t then, but I do now.”
Sadly, my father died in 1993 so didn’t live long enough to
see Paul McCartney become Sir Paul as a result of his musical achievements. Nevertheless,
I think he would have approved of the honor.
I’d like to offer
this little story as my gift to Sir Paul today on his 70th birthday.
