The BEATLES Class

Spring 2009

 
 
 
The Beatles...Four Lads Who Shook the World  The Spring 2009 class consists of 20 students.  Andy Babiuk, author of Beatles Gear, and Russ Lease usually are in attendance each Spring to talk with the students. They will return in 2010. Their presentation is fascinating as they inform the class about the music, instrumentation, and clothing. Andy’s book is one of the five most important books to ever be written about the group. You can access information about his band, the Chesterfield Kings, and order his book at: www.beatlesfabgear.com/  Russ Lease is the owner of R.W. Lease, Ltd., maker of replica Beatles’ suits and other items of value, such as the drumhead seen on the Feb. 9th, 1964 Ed Sullivan Show! This head and many more historical items have been available on display for students in the class. Russ’ and Andy’s contributions to the 1964 shows and The Beatles class have been invaluable and I appreciate their support and friendship. Steve Loflin shares his Beatles and Rock-and-Roll memorabilia collection each year with the class. I met Steve in 1995, the first year of the class. His daughter, Stacy, still holds the record for top test grade.!  Cathy Sarver , one of the original Apple Scruffs for whom George wrote the song “Apple Scruffs” (All Things Must Pass, 1971), made her first appearance at the class in 2006. She showed the class some of the most incredible private pictures of The Beatles from the late 60s, many of them autographed, and told great stories of what it was like to be an Apple Scruff. Cathy’s entertaining persona and willingness to share her stories has made her a permanent invite to the class each year, along with Russ, Andy, Steve, and Paul Saltzman.  Paul Saltzman met The Beatles in 1968 at the Maharishi’s retreat in India. The pictures Paul took of the lads are considered to be some of the best natural photos ever taken of The Beatles. Paul has been telling his story and sharing his pictures to the class for three years. You can see more of his pictures and learn about his story on his website: The Beatles in India. Here he is pictured presenting one of his photos from the collection to Ringo in New York City in summer, 2005. Carl works with Paul to bring the story to the public through The Beatles in India Outreach Program. Click on it for more information. As Leslie Healy says in her presentations to the class, “I was in the right place at the right time.” Stories and pics of her 10+ years association with The Beatles starts with her attendance at the Feb. 9th Ed Sullivan Show, to her Datebook (1965) articles “At Home With Paul” and “At Home With George”, in attendance when John and Paul announced the formation of APPLE Corps., and working with the London Beatles Fan Club, delivering items to the boys! HOMEhttp://www.beatlesfabgear.com/http://www.beatlesuits.comhttp://www.thebeatlesinindia.com/Beatles_India.htmlBeatles_India.htmlHome.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5

Now in its 14th year, The Beatles...Four Lads Who Shook the World, is one of the more popular courses offered through the Honors College at the University of Oklahoma. Carl Rath designed the course in Fall, 1994, at the suggestion of students in his class, Development of Popular Music, 1954-79.


Spring 2006 class with Cathy Sarver, Apple Scruff. (standing to the left of the girl in green in the front row)