50 years ago this week, The Beatles made history with this song (hear it here). They became the first and only act in history to hold all 5 of the top slots in the Billboard Hot 100.
1) In this song, Beatle Paul offers to buy his girl a diamond ring. Do you wear rings?
I have to, because the ring helps me tell my left from my right. (Yes, I
am that pathetic. You
never want me as your navigator.) My current
favorite is lotus blossoms etched on a
silver band.
2)
This song was written by boyhood friends John Lennon and Paul
McCartney, who went on to become the most successful songwriters of the
20th century. Tell us about your best friend from "the old
neighborhood." Do you know where he or she is today? Yes.
The woman I imaginatively refer to on this blog as "my oldest friend"
has been in my life since Kindergarten. We communicate
(email/phone) several times a week and are spending my birthday together
in Vegas this November. I have lots of decades-long friendships. They
come easily to me. I'm lucky that way.
3) The Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Beatles first performed to a mass American audience, is now the home of The Late Show with David Letterman. Do you have a favorite late night talk show? I love those Comedy Central boys.
4) In 1964, when this song became #1, one of top TV shows was My Favorite Martian. Do you believe in life on other planets? Intellectually, yes. It just makes sense. But I don't spend much time thinking about it or imagining what they might look like.
5)
In those days, homes had rotary dial phones, often affixed to the wall,
with the receiver always tethered by a curly cord. Does your home still
have a landline phone? Yes.
6) 1964 was the year GI Joe first appeared on toy shelves. Tell us about one of your favorite childhood toys. My
Lassie dog, who looked much like this before I lavished her with so much
attention and affection. She's up in my closet somewhere. I can't part
with her.
7)
Ringo was the first Beatle to become a grandfather. His granddaughter,
Tatia, is now a rock musician. If you were to follow your grandfather
into his chosen profession, what would you be doing now? I
don't know what his job title was, but my grandpa worked at
ElectroMotive Diesel for decades. He serviced engine parts, and was very
proud of his prowess. When he finally retired, he spent hours on end at
his tool bench or repairing things at his house and at ours. He loved
to tinker!
8) Paul McCartney admits he enjoys watching MasterChef. What show do you go out of your way to catch? Thinking of talkshow hosts, I really enjoy seeing the old master again on
Carson on TCM, hosted by Conan O'Brien. The current run ended on March 31, but I suspect TCM will show more again this summer.
9) The paparazzi has often caught Paul pedaling a bike around Martha's Vineyard. What's your favorite form of exercise? I
enjoy pedaling my little heart out on the stationery bike. My ankle has
been giving me trouble lately -- I think perhaps the boots I wore way,
way too often this snowy winter didn't provide the right support -- so
I've been shying away from the treadmill.
