Let it Be 

Have You Heard of the Beatles or Do You Lead an Insular Life?

By Mitchell Slepian

Everyone reading this knows John Lennon was murdered. You might wonder why I would say this. Sadly, some people are unaware of this. Many of those people do not even know who he was. I was with a few yesterday. It was not the first time. I have an eclectic group of friends. Some join me at the Garden, Beacon, and other venues to see The Cure, Depeche Mode, Modest Mouse, Bruce Springsteen, and Ringo and the All-Starr Band. We’ve been to the Guggenheim together or independently. They know it is one of the world’s premier art museums. I’m a member. If things work out, I will visit its Venice venue soon. I asked a friend to join me there (Museum Mile. Not Venice). He said, “What is that? Is that one of the bands you go to?” I asked someone to join me at the Brooklyn Museum. I received a similar response when I asked to visit the Guggenheim.

Everyone knows my life revolves around the Bronx Bombers. I hope we win this year’s World Series. I am concerned. Someone asked me if I had ever been to Citi Field. I said, of course. I was there the night Paul McCartney was its musical opener in 2009. He opened by playing the same set the Beatles played at Shea Stadium in ’65. The guy said, “Who is Paul McCartney?”

One day, I was sitting with a group of people who were discussing submarines. I said, “Was it yellow?” They looked at me like I had two heads. I might. But I said, “Ya know we all live in Yellow Submarine. Ringo’s song.” I got blank looks and said, ‘The Beatles.” They said they did not think a beetle could survive on a submarine. I said, “Forget it.”

Once I was with a group of people, and someone said “That sounds like a Seinfeld episode. “The following comment was now you are sounding like Darth Vader. Someone was with us who did not know whom we were talking about. The list goes on and on. Some have never heard of Snoopy, Elvis (Presley), Mick Jagger, U2, the Flintstones and so many others.

On my last day of my Milan tour, I had to jet out of the farewell dinner to see Paquita at Teatro alla Scalla. The tour guide asked me to let her know how it was. I sent her a WhatsApp. I thought it was wonderful. She said, “You have a fine appreciation of the Italian arts.” During the tour, we had many discussions about art and opera. 

Now I have friends who will not see The Who with me. But would see Erasure. Or would not see Jackson Browne. I think they are running on empty or don’t want to stay a little longer. But these people would be happy to hear ‘Rio’ (Duran Duran).  

I am either too active or never slow down. Or like to explore.