The Beatles In Cleveland

Beatles book captures Cleveland concerts

THE BEATLES IN CLEVELAND by Dave Schwensen

Review by JEFF ROBINSON, Gazette Editor

Long before a majestic hall of fame was built along the Cleveland coastline, rock and roll left its stamp on the city in the form of two 1960s concerts by the Fab Four. The Beatles played Public Hall in 1964 and Municipal Stadium in 1966. When the lads from Liverpool invaded the states, they created a “you had to be there” vibe from coast to coast that hasn’t been duplicated. For those who were there, the vibe still resonates today. For everyone else, Cleveland author Dave Schwensen brings you about as close as you can get in his new book, The Beatles in Cleveland: Memories, Facts & Photos about the Notorious 1964 & 1966 Concerts.

Schwensen is a full-fledged Beatles fan, and it’s clear from his prose that the book was a true labor of love. But he’s also intimately acquainted with the era and knowledgeable about the subject, having been a teenager in Cleveland when Beatlemania hit and having attended the ’66 concert (he dedicates the book to his parents for taking him to the Aug. 14, 1966 performance and buying “the expensive seats”).

The meat of the book comes from Schwensen’s research. He spent three years interviewing those who interacted with the group during its trips to the north coast, and his sleuthing helped him dig up vivid details of not only the scene (“At one point, the Police Commissioner walked on stage and said, ‘Unless everybody sits down, we’re going to stop the concert.’”), but also the era (“In Cleveland, the Rev. Thurman H. Babbs had threatened to excommunicate any member of his congregation who not only attended, but also listened to the Beatles.”).

The book includes detailed recollections from a variety of personalities, including Cleveland deejays (Jerry G. Bishop, Jack Armstrong), longtime Plain Dealer music critic Jane Scott, musicians who toured with the group (Barry Tashian, leader of The Remains; and Bobby Hebb) and, of course, fans. Schwensen even works some of his own personal memories into the narrative, cleverly separating them with the title “I Me Mine.”

Filling out the pages are some vintage photos and newspaper clippings from the tours, along with images of posters and tickets to the shows (All seats $3, $4, $5 and $5.50!). And kudos to Schwensen for adding a few more cool tidbits to the book (a set list from the 1966 tour and newspaper reviews of the shows).

Schwensen’s book likely will impress even die-hard Beatles fans, who are sure to learn a few more details about what the author calls “the most influential group in the history of popular music.” But it’s a fun read for Beatle novices too. The “oral history” format might take a little getting used to at first, but it’s one of the better ways to recapture some truly magical musical moments. 

jrobinson@delgazette.com

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