2/10/14 - They were five words that changed everything; "Ladies & Gentleman, The Beatles." When television host Ed Sullivan uttered that phrase 50 years ago last night, it ushered in a new era not only in music, but in the culture itself. The celebrations surrounding the milestone have stirred the memories of many of our listeners, including a young Renee Chodkowski, known to most in Howell as The Great Foodini. She says it riled the emotions of more than just the kids of her generation. "My mom worked night so my grandpa would watch us and I would always watch TV with him and watch Ed Sullivan. I remember so distinctly when The Beatles came on, and grandpa didn't get around too well, but the next thing I know he's getting up, walking over to the TV and kind of growling, he turns on Lawrence Welk and says, 'Hoodlums! Now this is real music.'" Bonnie Slanker lived in Pinckney on February 9th, 1964 and says that moment was like no other. "I could hardly catch my breath, my heart was beating so fast. He said 'The Beatles' and you just couldn't breath...It changed the world. It changed me forever, made me a little more rebellious." Madonna Waltz of Brighton recalls her parents reaction. "I begged my parents to let me stay up late and watch them. They did and I remember watching them on our black and white TV and saying 'Mom, that Paul McCartney is dreamy.' and my parents laughed and laughed." And while her parents may have laughed that night, it was The Beatles who had the last laugh as they went on to change not only the music industry, but fashion, politics and culture as well. (AP Photo)
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