LMS Students Get A Lesson On The Beatles

students got a lesson in the history of rock 'n roll this week courtesy of a prominent Boston radio personality.

Cha-Chi Loprete, host of the Sunday morning "Breakfast With The Beatles" show on WZLX appeared as a guest of music director Stephen Bloom Wednesday morning, and he brought a substantial collection of rare Beatles memorabilia as well.

Following A Lifelong Passion

"When I was your age, I was passionate about music, and I'm sure many of you are now," Loprete told the middle schoolers.

Earlier in the week in a news release announcing Loprete's visit, Bloom reported that he first met the DJ at the Boston premier of the film Nowhere Boy, which featured a performance by members of John Lennon's original band, The Quarrymen.

Bloom also noted that Loprete had worked at WBCN in Boston with Peter Wolf, who went on to become lead singer of the J. Geils Band.

Beatles Took America By Storm In 1964

For his part, Loprete looked back to the Beatles' appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 as one of the defining moments of his early years.

"That was the night I knew what I wanted to do with my life," said Loprete, calling the televised Beatles performance "the  most exciting, most transforming moment in my life at the time." Loprete was motivated to learn to play the drums after watching Ringo Starr perform, with the added goal of becoming a DJ if he was unable to become a professional musician.

Students Get A Message On Sticking With Their Goals

One consistent theme that Loprete shared with the students was to follow their goals and to not be deterred by the critics - which is precisely what the Beatles did in their earliest days.

"That's part of life's journey and life's message for you, to do what you want to do in life,"  he told the students."Before 1964, they were just kids like you."

Loprete added that he had stayed in school and also spent considerable time in the library studying up on the field he wanted to work in as well. He added that he recently marked his 29th year in the radio industry.

Some students went home with Beatles CDs and other items courtesy of Loprete, who, along with Bloom, demonstrated a wide-ranging knowledge of the Beatles and their history.

Rare Memorabilia On Display

Along with being pioneers in music, the Beatles also happened to be pioneers in merchandising, explained Loprete, which accounted for the many unique memorabilia items he was able to show Wednesday morning.

For example, students were able to check out everything from a pillow bearing the band's likeness to a doll, a Lionel train car, napkins, and even a box that once held Beatles ice cream bars.

Other memorabilia items included an autographed issue of Newsweek featuring the band, and a commemorative gold record that a handful of prominent DJs around the country received a while back. There was even a square inch cut from a bed sheet used by John Lennon that was once sold to fans for a few dollars - and which is now worth much, much more.

Loprete also took the opportunity to discuss the positive messages of peace and love featured in most Beatles songs, while also looking back on the assassination of John Lennon in 1980.

Message In The Music Lives On

"He loved America, he loved what we stood for," Loprete said of the slain Beatles singer, adding that "he is still with us" in his music. 

Other anecdotes included how Paul McCartney had composed "Hey Jude" for young Julian Lennon, and how John Lennon had met his future wife Yoko at an avant garde art exhibit she was holding. At the exhibit, there was a ladder with a magnifying glass attached to the ceiling. Those who climbed up would see a tiny "yes" with the magnifying glass, which is what was said to have drawn Lennon to Yoko Ono.

"You find in life that yes has more power than no," Loprete told the students.