Meet the Beatles ... again

Beatlemania is back.

In 1964, four mop-topped kids from working-class Liverpool, England, conquered the pop culture world.

Even today's youngsters have probably seen the grainy “Ed Sullivan Show” video. They've probably heard the screaming at Shea Stadium. They've probably seen footage of American fans swamping the Brits at airports.

Well, folks, we've got a mini-Beatlemania coming up this week. A video game and a digitally remastered version of the band's music catalog are coming out on Wednesday. In short, the Beatles are everywhere this week.

But how does this Beatlemania compare with the original? Let's take a peek.

Best sellers

Then: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” single

Now: “The Beatles: Rock Band” video game

Omahan Kate Heller-Thomas — a big Beatles fan and “Rock Band” player — had her first dance with groom Brett Thomas to the Beatles' “In My Life” on Aug. 1. “With the wedding out of the way, we're counting down to the ‘Rock Band' release.”

Ringo's look

Then: Mop top

Now: Goatee and sparkly earring

“He's just Ringo,” Heller-Thomas said. “He'll never be taken as seriously as the rest of them.”

McCartney's look

Then: Mop top

Now: Wrinkly. And, um, still a mop top

It's not surprising that Paul still has the look. In terms of Beatlemania, “Paul is immersed in it,” said Scott Anderson, who teaches a course on the history of rock 'n' roll at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

McCartney's money

Then: Comfortable

Now: Filthy rich (reportedly worth more than $800 million)

“As if Paul didn't have enough money already, I think the release of the ‘Rock Band' video game has catapulted all of this to a whole different level,” Anderson said.

TV presence

Then: Huge ratings on “The Ed Sullivan Show”

Now: Much smaller ratings with “The Beatles: Anthology” reruns on VH1

Heller-Thomas hasn't seen the “Anthology,” but even at age 36, she's familiar with the “Ed Sullivan” performances. “They looked like such clean-cut babies.”

Audience

Then: Everyone with ears

Now: Gamers

“Who's not a Beatles fan?” asked Mike Fratt, general manager of Homer's Music stores. “I think their audience is 16 to 60 — or maybe even older.”

Anticipating

Then: “A Hard Day's Night” single

Now: iTunes selling their tunes

Fratt doesn't care about the Beatles coming to iTunes because of the low sound quality. “Why would you download an MP3 of something that's been remastered?” he asked. “If you're interested in these at all, you're interested because of the increased fidelity.”

Sound

Then: Couldn't really hear it over the screaming

Now: Digitally remastered for maximum clarity

Fratt is excited to hear the remasters. “‘Revolver' and ‘Rubber Soul' are two of my favorite albums of all time,” he said. “I'll be listening for a solid week after they come out.”

Image

Then: Wholesome

Now: Scruffy

“They grew up so fast,” said Heller-Thomas. “It's like they became scruffy men over night.” And Paul and Ringo still have elements of that today.

Regrets

Then: Ringo's drumming

Now: Yoko Ono

Don't ask Heller-Thomas about Yoko. “I hate to say hate, but ...” She once took a ball-point pen to a Yoko Ono album, so it could never be played again.

Competition

Then: Roy Orbison, the Animals

Now: “Guitar Hero: Metallica”

The Beatles are clear winners here all around. “Every year, I poll my rock 'n' roll class, and they're still listening to the Beatles,” Anderson said. The same can't or won't be said for Roy Orbison, the Animals and Metallica.

Guitar

Then: Gretsch hollow body

Now: Cheap plastic replica (for video game)

A plastic guitar? As a professional musician, Anderson finds that weird. “But if that's the way (youngsters) get turned on to good rock 'n' roll, that's fine with me,” Anderson said. “I'm just a little shocked by it.”

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