Who says that “Love” can’t last forever? Or that May/December romances peter out? Just ask Tallahassee’s Jan DeCosmo, who at 73 continues a lifelong commitment of the heart that began when she was only 12.
DeCosmo is known by some as the frottoir-playing rhythm section of the band Funky Taters, and by others as a retired Professor of Humanities at FAMU, and still others as a travel guru who takes small groups to stay in Cuban homes four or five times a year.
But when she’s not strumming the washboard or playing in local bands — or strolling the Malecon in Havana, DeCosmo may be at home paying homage to the four British “loves of her life” by setting up “Beatles Nights” at venues like the American Legion and the Moon.
The next Beatles Night (there have been three) takes place from 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at The Moon.
Three bands: RockitZ, the Funky Taters, and Revival featuring singers ― Lili Forbes, Rachel Hillman, and Avis Berry ― will interpret the Beatles’ song book in their own voices, but throughout, says DeCosmo, those beautiful lyrics and unforgettable melodies will forever touch hearts.
Hers certainly has been.
“It’s actually documented when my obsession with the Beatles began,” she says. “I was 12 years old, writing letters to my grandmother, my Mema, about this new group that had just appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show. The letters show I was desperate for money to buy the latest Beatles album!” she laughs.
DeCosmo, who still has all the letters, as well as diaries, shared a few of the charming, 60-year-old entries with the Democrat.
Feb. 26, 1964: Dear Mema, Thank you very much for the dollar. I needed it very much. Have you seen the Beatles on Ed Sullivan? How do you like them? Mama thinks they are shaggy haired and nasty looking. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you. If you see any pictures of the Beatles in the newspapers, please send them to me.
March 8, 1964: Dear Mema, I’ve been saving my money for a Beatles album, but I’ll never make it. I’ve got scarcely $2.00 and they cost 4.00 or something. And we don’t even get an allowance.
Sometime after April 3, 1964: Dear Mema, Thank you for all the things you got me for my birthday. I wanted to get the third Beatle album. Mama and Daddy wouldn’t let me. Daddy said that I only wanted one album and I got two and I was a pig to want the other one. Huh, I want every album they ever put out in their lives! That money in my bank is just going to rot, because I’m not getting anything besides that album. And I don’t want anything but that album. It’s my money so I don’t see why I can’t spend it on what I want to!
Little Jan was just becoming a teenager and turning into the committed fan she has been ever since. If only her parents had known that today a 1964 monophonic Beatles Album would sell for $340 or a 1963 “Please Please Me” vinyl would go for $799, they might have stocked up — or at least let little Jan tap the money in her piggy bank!
For now, she invites all of Tallahassee to join her in her love affair with the music and words that like the poetry it is, just gets better with time.
If you go
What: Beatles’ Night – featuring three bands and guest vocalists
Where: The Moon, 1105 E. Lafayette St.
When: 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Tickets: Advanced reserved tickets are $30; day of show, $35; general admission is $20 advanced and $25 day of show. Visit moonevents.com
