On the street

Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles at the Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids

As I was driving to the Paramount Theatre Sunday afternoon to talk to people for this week's On The Street, I tried to think of my favorite Beatles song. I drew a blank. I quickly realized I should have done my homework. There would be no way I'd be able to jog people's memories if they too couldn't think of their favorite song at the drop of a hat.

As it turned out, though, I didn't have to do much prompting. Most of the people to turned out to the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra's "Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles" knew exactly which song was their favorite. They named a few I hadn't heard of and other's I hadn't thought of in years.

Not being able to recall my own favorite song says nothing about how I feel about the Beatles. I had several CDs growing up, particularly when I went through my 60s phase. I couldn't get enough of Simon and Garfunkel, Jim Croce, The Bee Gees, Cat Stevens, Carol King or my name sake, Carly Simon. I wouldn't say I was a die hard fan. But, I do like their music.

I'm sure if I had been a teenager in the 1960s instead of the 1990s I would have swooned with all the other teenage girls. Or maybe not. I did, after all, manage to escape the 1980s without a single New Kids on the Block tee shirt or tape. That being said, I could name the members of the Beatles in no time flat. Given all the time in the world, I'd be hard pressed to name more than one member of the New Kids.

But, that's a good thing in my book. The Beatles may have been a pop sensation in their own right, just like groups in the following decades. But, their music defined a generation. And, it says something about their music that it continues to have an impact and draw a crowd in 2007.

Next week we're off to see what you want to be when you grow up. Molly will be at the Corridor Career Fair asking "If you could do any job what would it be?"

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