Wall to wall memorabilia collector’s items and trinkets. “Help!” plays in the background on the all-mono record player. Was this place Liverpool? Nope. Welcome to Dr. Michael Jordan’s Beatles museum.
Jordan journalism professor at Pepperdine University uses a room in his home for his Beatles collection. His daughter Cari Viramontes said the room was a surprise from his wife children and grandchildren.
“My sisters and I were really into the TV show called ‘While You Were Out’ from TLC said Viramontes, one of Dr. Jordan’s five daughters. After my sister Melissa had moved out of her room we thought it would be a fabulous idea to have our own ‘While You Were Out’ surprise with a makeover of the room.”
Viramontes said there were a several reasons why they wanted to do this for their father.
“He had gone through two major surgeries back surgery and open-heart surgery she said. He had recovered and that was a big reason for the surprise. The other reason is completely selfish on the children’s parts. Before the Beatles room he had his entire collection of Beatles items in the stairway from the garage to the living room. Every time we walked up the staircase we dreaded bumping into everything.”
Viramontes commented that she cannot remember a time that the Beatles were not a part of her father’s life and that some of her favorite childhood memories were a result of her father’s love.
“I remember when he lived in Idyllwild she said referring to the mountain village in Riverside County. On the long drive up there we’d listen to Beatles music and pick out the singers names and sing along. One of the best experiences was when my Dad brought me to a Paul McCartney concert when I was in junior high. It was my first concert and a blast.”
Varimontes said Jordan’s family with also includes his wife Nancy one son and seven grandchildren loves and respects his collection. She said his love for the Beatles has been passed down to the rest of their family as he has helped them start collections of their own.
“Every year for Christmas he buys us a Beatles CD and now our collections are growing as well Varimontes said. It’s a lot of fun. I also always enjoy little e-mails from my dad to all of his kids with a comment or website for us to look at about the Beatles.”
Jordan began his collection at an early age as the Beatles not only played a huge role in his own life but the country’s history as well.
“It was 1963 and I was 13 years old Jordan said. President Kennedy was assassinated in November and when the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 they were a diversion from how sad we were.”
Jordan said that although the Beatles were a welcome diversion he nevertheless began to invest in the band’s future.
“From right then I just knew they were going to be big he said. I always bought two records: one was to keep and one to play. The 45s were only 49 cents each at that time.”
Jordan explained that the Beatles’ popularity grew as time went on but they weren’t always as appreciated in the U.S.
“No major U.S. record company would sign them at first he said. They all said that kind of music would never make it in the U.S. Swan Record Company a small label eventually signed them but even Swan gave their records away as part of a truancy program.”
Jordan has a prized first issue of the Swan record “She Loves You with Don’t Drop Out” stamped on it.
Just as these words on the record implied the band refused to just “drop out” on its original fans and lose sight of its Liverpool roots.
“The Beatles were really one of the first bands from the working class that made it big Jordan said. Some Brits thought that nothing good came from Liverpool. The Beatles really wanted to remain a band for the common people and so they started selling EPs or extended plays which sold four songs for less money. Fans who could not afford an LP could buy and EP.”
After receiving that first record “She Loves You as a present from his aunt in 1963, Jordan recognized the unique qualities of the Beatles, and continued to grow his collection over the years.
I have everything from vintage pencils marbles and stamps he said. I have the First Tour Coin from their 1964 tour. There’s my Beatles hair gel that has never been opened for 40 years. I have a fine collection of the Rolling Stone Magazine covers with the Beatles on them. Bubble gum wrappers and Sergeant Pepper’s figurines — I have just about everything really.”
Jordan said that all of his collectables have a personal importance and meaning to them.
“I can’t really pick favorites but I really love the 45 picture sleeves which I’ve been collecting from the start Jordan said, referring to the 45 RPM records. Often only the first few thousand records were sold with these sleeves. It’s kind of fun to see the changes in poses and artwork over the years.”
All 36 Beatles singles picture sleeves from U.S. and the U.K. are displayed on one of the room’s walls.
All of the items are not only important to Jordan on a personal level but prove very valuable in their rarity as some of the items would appraise for high amounts.
“I own the record and picture sleeve for ‘Love Me Do’ on Vee-Jay label before Capitol Records got the rights Jordan said. It’s so rare it could go for $400 on eBay just for that one picture sleeve. The most valuable item though would probably be the 1963 ‘Please Please Me’ Parlophone Label album first issue in the U.K. with yellow lettering.”
Jordan says he finds it ironic how much people pay for some of the collectables he has.
“Most of this stuff is original he said. I bought many of these 45s for 49 cents in the ‘60s.”
His collection continues to grow even today and it goes beyond the realm of the four musicians.
“My next addition is going to be something I’ve put together to honor the Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein Jordan said. I have a great picture in the Cavern Club in Liverpool that profiles him in the shadows and I’m working on a little write-up to go with it.”
As for his favorite of the four?
“That’s not a tough one at all he said. It’s definitely John Lennon. He was always such an inspiration with his revolutionary ideas and lyrics. He could write a great love some but he also linked his lyrics with messages. They weren’t only edgy but they showed he was a true believer in peace.”
Lennon prompted Jordan to join the peace movement himself in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“When I was 20 years old I organized a ‘Love-In’ which was called an ‘Anti-Hate Rally’ he said. There were thousands of people there and three or four rock bands. There were all kinds of speakers activists poets and ministers. John was my inspiration.”
Jordan finds his collection has become a huge part of who he is and plays a major role in his perspective on life.
“People are the happiest when they have a place to fall back and just clean out the cobwebs—a place they can call their own he said. My Beatles room represent that place for me. I am more than happy to share this with whoever wants to come up here and look around.”
Jordan said his Beatles “museum” is more than just a room with a bunch of stuff.
“Even if I didn’t have this room I would still have the music. The quality of the Beatles’ music is evergreen. It will live forever.”
Dr. Jordan’s Top 5 Beatle Songs1. Revolution — “The fast version of course. This is probably the most misunderstood Beatles song. Most people think they’re talking about political revolution but if you listen to the lyrics you hear the message that the revolution is love. John sings “You have to change your mind.”2. We Can Work It Out — “This song represents the mid-Beatles years and I love the message. It is also the first rock song in which a harmonium an obscure organ-like instrument was used. I love that harmonium chord at
the end.”3. Drive My Car — “This one represents humor which was a great part of the Beatles – they loved a good laugh and made their songs fun. At the end of this song you learn that the would-be movie star doesn’t actually have a car but has a driver ‘and that’s a start.'”4. A Day in the Life — “This song is probably the finest song writing by McCartney and Lennon. It was typically about an 80 to 20 ratio a ‘John’ song or a ‘Paul’ song would be 80 percent the main writer and 20 percent the collaborator but this song was 50-50 right from the start.”5. I Am the Walrus — “The first time I heard this song I was 18 years old and driving in my dad’s truck. I made him pull over right then at the record store so I could buy it. Every time I listen to it there’s always something new to find in there.”