by Stefanie Connell, Princeton, NJ

A few years back Paul McCartney came to the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. My husband and I were lucky enough to be able to get seats to the sold-out show. When we made our way to our seats we immediately noticed the diversity of the crowd. Young people, old people, and just about everyone in between. We had anticipated that, but we were sort of surprised to see that sitting diagonally in front of us were two burley bikers, fully equipped with skull-print leather jackets, pony tails and multiple snake-inspired tattoos. They just did not seem to fit the Beatles demographic. However, throughout the show they were found repeatedly jumping up out of their seats or giving each other high fives when a song they had been hoping to hear was played. And by the end of the night, they were arm in arm swaying, crying, and singing “Let It Be” at the top of their lungs.

Having been too young to fully appreciate the universal appeal and effect the Beatles had on the population, I felt by witnessing these two devout fans express themselves, despite their outward appearance, that for the first time I understood what it would have been like to have seen the Beatles at Shea Stadium, or on the Ed Sullivan Show. I have never forgotten those two fans — they inspire me even to this day to keep an open mind to all kinds of music — because you never know what will move you the way Paul McCartney and the Beatles moved them.