It was a different time and place. We had no computers or internet friends to anticipate the upcoming concert, but one of my fondest memories goes back to August 1966. I had just had my 16th birthday and since I wasn't allowed to date, much less go downtown without a grown-up (I told you it was a different time), I really doubted that I would get to join my friends in their plans to try to meet our beloveds when they came to Cincinnati for a concert at Crosley Field. Our plan was to meet their plane at the airport, hoping for a touch or a glance in our direction, and then go to the concert that night. Our seats were purchased and they were okay, somewhere in what would approximate the third base side about midway up, but it didn't matter. Little did I know we were going to be part of history.

August 20, 1966 dawned a rainy day. We were so worried that the concert would be canceled when we got word that it had been postponed. I remember how my emotions went up and down that day. Would we be "robbed" of this opportunity to see John, Paul, George and Ringo? I must have been lamenting our bad luck a little too loudly on the phone because I remember my dad coming to my bedroom door to tell me he and Mom would "like to have a word with me" in the kitchen. Now, the kitchen was the place where all important family discussions were held. I just KNEW they were going to tell me there was no way in hell I was gonna go to see "those long-haired" singers. I had my arguments prepared and was set to stand my ground (different time; same Cincy). I pulled myself up from the bed and stomped into the kitchen ready to plead my case. (Little did my folks know that there was little they could have done to stop me in any event. Just as teens today push their parents' limits, mine would have been surprised to know how their little girl had particpated in peace marches, spent some time in that then "depraved" area of town known as Mt. Adams and had even snuck away for a "date" at Coney Island with my first real boyfriend that same summer). When I got there, my dad asked me if I realized it was raining hard and there was a bad storm with lots of lightening forecast for that day. I nodded. He then smiled and said, "I hope you and Alice don't get wet." Hugging him so hard, I knew my arguments were unnecesary. Now all I had to do was pray the rain would end. It didn't.

I remember getting a call from one of my friends that due to lightening and rain, the concert would not go forward that night. But due to scheduling, the Fab 4 were able to merely postpone the concert to the following day. August 21, 1966. A day that I will never forget. The music systems were so bad back then and the venue so large that many of the songs were unrecognizable, especially with the screaming and yelling and crying of the fans. It didn't matter. We were there. They were there and we were somehow changed from that moment on. We knew we were in the presence of people whose words and music would change the world.

So here I am now. One day away from a concert where I have the wherewithal to purchase much better seats, have been guaranteed a chance to meet Clay and have my picture taken with him. Don't have to ask anyone's permission to go. And the weather forecasts rain. I am still feeling that same feeling of dread and excitement. Praying to God that it won't rain tomorrow night. Looking forward to sharing the experience with new and old friends and unable to get much sleep because of my excitement.

A different time and a different place. But somehow so much the same. But once again, I have the feeling I am experiencing musical history in the making. Sure, I am a lot more mature than then, probably almost twice the size I was then with a lot of dreams and causes fought, lost and won along the way. But I am going to dance the night away with Mary, Heather and so many wonderful friends. I am still that same giddy teenager at heart and tomorrow night, for a few hours of time I will be her in spirit, too.

So in the words of my first idol, Paul McCartney: Rain, I don't mind. Shine, shine shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine, the weather's fine. I can show you that when it rains and shines, it's just a state of mind. Can you hear me?