Yes 31 years ago it was a day more than the music died.
I prefer to remember him the first time I saw the Beatles up close 47 years ago when John, Paul & George arrived at Sydney airport on a BOAC 707 (Ringo arrived later).
Such was the security concerns of the 60s, over a 1000 kids camped in the cold and then rain out on the tarmac.
I "was just 17" just as their song goes and was working at the International Terminal (Now Qantas Domestic gates 1 - 5) and just "accidentally happened" to be under the left wing of their 707 as they walked down the steps and onto the truck.
I found this news clip a few years ago:
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=63584
I could not afford the tickets but my brother went to their concert in Sydney which was literally a riot although he heard very little of their voices.
Sadly missed, but we still have his music and those interviews.