The Beatles Nightmare in the Phillipines essays

The Beatles Nightmare in the Phillipines essays The summer of 1966 was a high point in the world of pop music. Here in the Bay Area, flower power was in full swing in San Franciscos Haight-Ashbury. The Beatles had just released Revolver, their most musically innovative album to date (and arguably the most innovative rock album of all time up to that point). The Beatles had been touring practically nonstop for four years and were considering becoming a studio only (non-touring) band. Their experience in the Philippines was perhaps the pivotal catalyst ultimately leading to their decision to play their last concert in Candlestick Park, San Francisco, in August of 1966. The Beatles had left Tokyo amid a controversy over their performing at the legendary Budokan Sumo Wrestling Hall and were in no mood for more trouble. They were exhausted from their constant touring schedule and were savoring a rare day off. When Madame Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines, invited them to dinner, they all decided that they were too tired to go and politely declined. Relieved that they could finally relax, they decided to lounge by the pool. After about an hour, they were alerted to a televised image of an outraged Madame Marcos publicly denouncing them on television.The Beatles have let me down! she cried. The camera panned over the faces of hundreds of forlorn children who had been promised a meal with the Beatles. The Beatles were told that in the interest of their personal safety, they should leave the Philippines immediately. They began to pack their belongings as their road managers attempted to locate cars to transport them to the airport. But mysteriously, no cars were available. Were the Beatles being trapped in the Philippines in order to be punished for their affront to the presidential family? Finally, two cars were located and they piled in and sped off to the Manila Airport. On the way to the airport, they became ens...