This was the stage design by Bill Bohnert for The Beatles’ debut performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Twenty-five years later, a Washington Post article titled, “The Birth of Beatlemania” stated, “25 years ago today — their first live appearance on American television — it was a communal moment that made the country absolutely giddy.”

Bohnert later said he designed the stage to show a dozen arrows (unmistakenly masculine), pointing to The Beatles to show the group was “Here.” The Post continued, “and they stood there with no visible signs of nervousness as if they had no idea of the size of their audience. Which no one did, of course.”

The Post writer, Richard Harrington, found the word “communal” to express the sentiment that was exuded from that performance as the group gave a polished, professional show. There was no pretense to their attitude. There was non-verbal communication among them as well as with the theater audience and the television cameras focused on them.

The combination of both communal and passionate traits and behaviors that The Beatles exhibited startled everyone with its raw, honest delivery. Boys, in particular, would think, “I can do that.”

This was a disruptive event in new masculinity that demonstrated how a strong communal basis can allow personal expressions to pursue success and well-being – a self-aligned result that ultimately benefits all. Further, their self-aligned perspective promoted their longevity through some male fans who, because of their admiration of the group, created their own successful career in music and as such, were able to promote their own self-expressions to include other fans as well.

The mystery behind the allure in The Beatles’ story is a long one, but very much worth telling.

This blog will write about some of The Beatles’ experiences that highlighted their freedom of personal expression that changed the world. In the pursuit of their success and well-being, their actions and beliefs underscored a perspective of how they saw themselves as men – an allowance of freedom to choose their way as it reflected their masculine identities – leaders of popular music standards for that time. The men who were in close proximity joined them in their effort. It became a gainful event for all, seen as the ramifications of a self-aligned focus. In all instances, The Beatles revealed how their tight communal bond was the foundation for their belief in their future success. They felt free to choose creative pathways that reflected who they saw themselves to be in their next creative endeavor.

To be clear, The Beatles were men which is why this is a masculine gender interpretation. There is no set standard for self-alignment that is implied for men alone. All personal expressions that are self-aligned have no specific basis in gender whatsoever.

Perhaps The Beatles’ self-aligned idea is one whose time has come.

Success and well-being to all!