Dear diary by Maud Demeulenaere

Dear Diary

Imagine you are Elvis, a member of the Beatles ,a fan , Whoopy Goldberg ,Â a US citizen.... and you write an entry in your diary explaining your vision ofÂ the Beatles 's first American tour . ( 200 words)

Wednesday, November 7th 1967 Dear Private Diary, I have always admired the Beatles since their debut. Actually, I have been a fan since I was 17 years old. For me, they are geniuses who have changed the world. I find them very attractive and elegant. And the fact that they do not care whether you are black, white, yellow, brown is even more impressive. Indeed, my friends and I were allowed to attend their concerts in the USA and which was out of people’s minds before as there was segregation: black people could never attend white people’s concerts! I still can’t believe I could meet my idols in USA! I know that some people are against the Beatles and I want to say a something to them: The Beatles are a legend and don’t dare to say anything that could hurt them and their fans. As an afro-american teenager fan, I think that the band changed the vision of many people about us around the world and on top of that, we, Afro-Americans, can be assured that we have the same rights just as white teenagers. To put it in a nutshell, as young people, we can earn more liberty thanks to the Beatles! ii

The 11th of February 1964 Dear diary, Today I went to my first concert of the Beatles and I cannot describe how I felt. I'm still shaking from the euphoria of the concert. Everybody was acting insane, they were crying, screaming, jumping out of joy and some of them even fainted . We sang along with the band and it was amazing! Everybody looked glad to be here, and in the stadium I was surprised to see black and white people singing and having fun together. It showed me that The Beatles were truly good people and it strengthen my love for them. I don't just love the Beatles for their music but also for their personality and vision of the world. I find beautiful that they didn't accept segregation. I think that their tour will help change the mentality of some Americans and for a first tour in a new country it did a difference. I see their first American tour as a tiny revolution that will help to put an end to segregation. I really hope that I canreturn to one of their concerts while they are still in America, It would be wonderful for me.

August the 19 th, in 1964 Dear diary, One mouth ago my friend and I, discovered with the « New York Times » a music band composed of 5 wonderful guys. But one of them named Stuart Sutcliffe had died two years before,. This year my friend was able to afford two tickets for their concert in the U.S.A . The day of the concert I saw how people were crazy about them, they were literally hysterical. We were excited to see them for the first time live. When the band came we welcomed them with scream, and during the perfomance we enjoyed it while dancing, jumping out of joy. There were also fan who cried and swooned. Let’s talk about the members, they were so handsome, well behaved and they wore formal suits which suit they good. I couldn’t take my eyes off them, mostly Paul McCartney who is my favorite member. He looks so smart ! I noticed that they had difficuties playing in the mad atmosphere althought it’s their job to work with a public, This must be their passion. There was a good mood, we sang along and at the moment of coming home we continued to sing their song running through our heads. I was sad when the concert ended, I hope theyivcome back soon !

Hello! I am April Field and I live in the USA. I was present at the Beatlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first American tour. From their first concert to the last, it was a show. Each of their concerts were different and exceptional ! Their passion for music makes it possible to unify their fans no matter their origins, where they from, their religions, the color of their skins. It is my favorite British band. Their voices are touching and impressive. Thanks to them, we have found peace of mind again, the time of their tour, as if segregation had a break. There were always a lot of fans like me: on that day, I met them. They were so friendly and nice! They were also funny! And, compared to others stars, they didn't get a big head. They were so modest! They had a good influence over some people who, thanks to this, have changed. But, obviously, there are people who don't like them: for example, Elvis Presley. They said The Beatles is a force for anti-American spirit and they promote an anti-American theme, when they returned to England. But, I didn't agree with him. It's thanks to them we are more unified. Anyway, I was and I am a fan forever. During their tour, I have met also many people who became my friends and today, they are still my friends. Their concerts were places of enjoyable meetings. I saw a star (but I forget her name) in a concert of them once! Some stars were fans or just liked them. I hoped their unforgettable tour would never stop. But sadly, every good things has an end. The Beatles were the best British band ever. I was, I am and I will a fan forever. Love you Beatles !.

At 4:30 pm 11/07/1966 I am so excited, because this month, The Beatles made their first American tour. The first time that I listened to the Beatles’ song, it was thanks to the radio with my dad, after school. The feeling was so cool. Last year, my parents offered me the album of my favorite group “The Beatles”. I am sincerely lucky to have parents like that. I’ve learnt all of the songs of the group by heart. My favorite member is George Harrison. Next week, they’ll organize a concert in Manhattan.So my parents will buy tickets: for them, me and my best friend (Claudia). I am so excited, I want to see them and listen to their voices, that will be the first time. I am so stressed...They are very influencial on teenagers. I am only fifteen but I love the atmosphere they create. They hate nobody, they are love and peace.My favorites songs are: Yesterday by Paul and We Can Work It Out They have a positive spirit. They give love and peace . I am sure that the group’ will become a legend and stay in the memories of the world. vi

Dear diary, Today I attended one of the Beatles concerts! It was amazing, I have always wanted to see them live. At first we were all pushing to get the best spot to watch the concert, but everyone was so excited, it was crazy! From the start of the concert, all the fans (including me of course) were super hysterical, everyone was screaming, you could barely hear the singers voices, but I couldn’t stay quiet, I was so happy to see my favorite band live!! I came with my sister, but I almost forgot about her and everyone around me during the performance. And like everyone else around me, I danced like a crazy person. I saw a girl, younger than me, crying! ...probably because she was so happy. There was even a woman right behind me that fainted on me and made me fall on the ground! Crazy right? I love how the Beatles were as crazy and happy as we were -- it’s like we shared this moment directly with the singers. The Beatles looked completely into the music and gave all they had. I like the fact that at their concert, no matter who you are or what skin color you have, you can be there, like anyone else. We were all equal and the same, which is true after all...but for once, everyone was just listening to the music, dancing and having fun.

Hi , my dear diary Today I want to talk to you about my favorite singer group : The Beatles!!!!! I have love them since their first American tour. I love them because they’ve got a good musical style. I don’t like Ringo Starr muchbecause when they are playing we don’t really hear thedrums and because he is not really beautiful. However I like John Lennon because he really knows how to play the guitar or the piano, I also like Paul McCartney because he was the first guitarist. But my favorite member of the group is Paul McCartney because he wrote Yesterday one of my favorite song by the group and because he is the most beautiful and cutest of them all. I also like their amazing style which it is not typical for a group of rock. I also love them because they come from a popular backgroung. So I feel close to them. Also because of them girls can wear what they want like mini skirts and boys now wear typical shirts and suit . My dream is to see them in reality not only on TV or listen to them on the radio. viii

August, 20th 1964 Dear Diary,  Yesterday was the first day of the Beatles’ tour in my lovely country, the United States of America. I can’t believe that Paul, John, George and Ringo are here. Goddam, yesterday in San Francisco, and today in Las Vegas!     September, 12th 1964  Dear Diary, The boys band did a great job… Maybe I’m just jealous, but I feel like they’re taking attention away from me…I don’t care, I am the King after all ! They will not take my crown. These junkies are a threat to my country’s youth, with using drugs, they’re not patriots! Anyway, I’m sure that I’m their idol.   September, 23rd 1964  Dear Diary,   Three days ago, it was the last day of Beatles’ tour in USA, they finished their tour

in New York. And I have a lot of things to say.  I like some songs of these boys but just like I said previously, they are a threat to my country. Seriously, they came here, made their money, and then returned to England to promote an anti-American theme! What a shame, they’re so egoists. In addition, they consume drugs! What type of image they give to the youth?! They unrespect and harm our country, and also soil the flag. Those who do that are not patriots.

December 21,1970 Dear Diary, This morning at 12:30pm, I was welcomed into the Oval Office of the White House to speak about the danger represented by the Beatles with president Nixon . But he doesn’t seem to worry about Beatlemania . First of all, when we see one of their concerts or when they get out of their plane there are hundred of fan shouting, crying, fainting, etc…They are so hysterical that their violence scares me. Secondly the authority don’t accepted and don’t respect American laws.For example « How they can demand that black people assit at their concerts and sit next to white spectators who must be afraid for their safety. Moreover I am sure that the Beatles use drugs because they look like hippies with their long hair and their flared trousers. Everybody knows that Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds speak about drugs and look at John Lennon : he militates for peace and he protests with his bed-ins but what does he know about American involvement in the Vietnam war ? Finally for me, the Beatles have a bad influence on American youth because they represent a threat for the country because they don’t realize they are being manipulated ! If only the President could listen to mex !

Dear Diary,   Three days ago, it was the last day of Beatles’ tour in USA, they finished their tour in New York. And I have a lot of things to say.  I like some songs of these boys but just like I said previously, they are a threat to my country. Seriously, they came here, made their money, and then returned to England to promote an anti-American theme! What a shame, they’re so egoistic. In addition, they consume drugs! What type of image do they give to the youth?! They are disrespectful and harm our country, and also soil the flag. Those who do that are not patriots !

Dear diary,

Sunday,November 6th

As you know, I am the biggest fan of the Beatles and as you know too, on Monday, my mom made me a surprise and gave me two tickets for me and my best friend Taylor, to the concert that the Beatles did yesterday. I was so excited during all the week that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sleep. My mom is the best mom ever because she realised on of my biggest dream and the dream of my friend too. So yesterday, me and Taylor were at the concert. We were so impatient. It was in the centre of London in Brixton Academy. It is a very pretty hall with two floors and obviously the stage where the Beatles first passed on a message for all the fans hear. They said that they were very thankful for all the support that we have beeen giving them everyday for years now. Then the Beatles started their concert. It really impressed us too see them in front of us because we had never seen them in real and I wished I could touch one of them but they were too far. I just loved this concert; it was the best of my life. I knew that they sing very well but it is better in real life. At the end, we were very sad because it was finished and we wished it would last for ever. I came home and slept as the happiest person in the word. xii

7th May 1964 I went to the Beatles tour to see my idols. I was so inpatient to see them. When I arrived at the place of the show, I saw a big line of people who were waiting to enter the concert hall and I joined the line. I understood that they were fans of the Beatles. There were lots of people in the concert hall and all the people pushed everyone because everyone wanted the best spot to watch the show. When the Beatles were singing on the stage, all the fans were screaming and jumping out of joy. The Beatle sweated a lot because they were very serious when they sang and danced in order to make the fans happy. The public was on fire when then sung, the show was crazy and it is the best concert that Ihave ever seen. The Beatles were very nice on stage because they shared their passion with the public. The hair of the Beatles flied with the wind they were amazing. There were security agents who were watching if there was a problem or a fight because the people were so excited that they could have fought during the concert. When the show was finished, I was so happy to attend this concert and I brought a poster of the group to hang in my bedroom. It was an unforgettable day for me.

Dear diary, Today was the first day of our first American’s tour, I was so excited and I also stressed. That’s not everyday that we do our first concert in the United states. We performed at Cow Palace in San Francisco, it was amazing. That was pretty much surprising and we didn’t expect so many Americans fans to come and see us. Our manager, Epstein, was so insure about our popularity there. Fans were enjoying the show, even with the strong segregation present there we managed to let black fans attend the show !!! All of them were singing out loud, so we couldn’t even hear us singing ! This show only let us presume good things for the rest of the tour, we cann’t wait and see others fans and perform in other cities like New York… We also plan to perform Washington D.C. and Miami beach. The days go by and our days were getting more and more weird. We had the opportunity to be pictured with the President of the United States, this was a good experience for our group. We also had the honor to meet Bob Dylan before we got back to the UK. This first tour in the United States was a wonderful trip that I hope I could do it once again. xiv

Dear diary, Yesterday, we had a new concert in a prestigious and big concert hall in New York. When we came here, we didn’t know that as many people loved us. The concert hall was full (mostly with girls and white people) and all of them were criying, jumping.. I’m sure that they couldn’t hear anything because of the noise. They were not there for the music but for « the incredible Beatles concert ». It’s sad to know that people like us for our celebrity and not for our talent. They came to our concert but didn't enjoy it. When we were less famous, it was cooler to play our music, to write song.. Now it’s because we had to, for our fans. It was a time when I loved to be a sta, to be someone very important but now I’m tired of this, of this band. We are four so we don’t have the same ideas and it’s hard sometimes to agree with everyone. Sometimes I think about a solo career. I would do what I want to do and love it. They are my friends, but I can’t continue like that. I have a lot of idea for new songs but they are different from the Beatles output. I hope that it will be easier, but I have to choose.. See you soon.

My dear diary, Today I will tell you about my love for the Beatles. They are very famous around the world because they sing very well. I love them since they are very tolerant; they allow everyone to go to their concert, and they are not racist. I remember when I went to their concert, last month, I was screaming and I almost fainted as it was so crazy. I even touched them. It was so nice. My favourite song is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yesterday". In my bedroom I have one poster of each member of the Beatles and all their albums. And I know all of their songs by . Last week I even sent them a letter and this morning, guess what I saw ? a reply to my letter ! They were thanking me for my letter and asking me to come to their concert next Tuesday in London. On TV I heard that the Beatles were womanisers and they thought about money. I was so shocked because it's wrong!! The Beatles contribute the general good mood and they just take advantage to their status in the world without abuse. It's normal. When I listen to their songs it gives me the hope to realize my dream of becoming an artist and fighting against discrimination between men and women. Everything they say gives us the wish to support them. Their songs are addressed to everyone and it's so cool, as well as their songs talk about everything as â&#x20AC;&#x153; Happiness is a warm gunâ&#x20AC;? which talk about politics. I love them ! See you tomorrow ! xvi

Dear diary,

August, 29th, 1964

Today was a terrible though great day. It was the Beatles last concert in their first, and hopefully not last, American tour. And I was there. I went to the Plaza Hotel with my best mate Will. It started at 8 o’clock with in first part Michael Josh and his band, and after an hour of waiting impatiently with this guy killing our ears on the stage, THEY FINALLY ARRIVED ON STAGE !!!!!!!!!!! Oh if you’d seen them and seen the crowd of fans jumping and screaming and pushing in front to get closer to them. Will and I were on the front left of the stage, where they did their entry, and I was so amazed, happy, and submerged with excitement that I won’t even be able to tell you what I did. I probably jumped and screamed like the other fans, and was drinking. As a matter of fact, I should remember NOT to drink at these kinds of events, as I completely forgot what I did after the concert and how I came back… Though the concert was great, and the crowd sang along on Yesterday. But to come back on the tour of the Beatles, I definitely don’t understand why people got angry with it. Indeed they broke the US law by not bending on the Segregation law, but the law itself is completely absurd. It is unimaginable for people like the Beatles who make music for the people and to unit them, to go on a tour and not accept to play for a person because of his colour. So yes, people might by shocked by what they did, but it would have been perfectly normal in any other country where they would do a tour. Secondly, when I hear that they are starting to develop an anti-American spirit, I can't get their point of view. People like Lennon singing for the peace in the world should never be brought down to this for wishing a united world. And if you think that THAT is anti-American, well it means that you just accept the fact of America going on war in another country just to try and influence them so gain more political and diplomatic influence in the world. As we are already hearing rumors about a war in Vietnam, people like Lennon are fighting peacefully to make a world without any wars.

Yet the Beatles use drugs, and I will agree with the people who disapprove of that, I still am an immense fan of them and will continue to listen to their music. Plus it's not as if they were the first celebrities to do that ! ( take that Elvis !! ). And finally, people saying that all that they did during this tour was to come into the USA, sing songs, make their money and then go back to the UK are totally and utterly bonkers and stupid. They came here, tried to unify the country with music by letting in anybody, made people cry and spend a great time, and of course made money out of it. I don't see where the problem is, especially when we do the same to other countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. So globally, people who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happy with the Beatles should just look and think deeper into what really is the USA, to actually realize that the Beatles aren't as bad as Nixon or Elvis say. Plus, yesterday I saw a kind of voodoo in the streets saying that Nixon would provoke one of the biggest crises in the USA politics in a few years time, so we'll see what happens :). To finish today's diary, I will just wish a thousand times that the Beatles will one day come back to the USA, and wish them the best in the world. ( though the same voodoo that I saw in the street yesterday told me that they would separate in a few years timeâ&#x20AC;Ś I hope he's wrong about that one..