Wishing you all the best in 2019!

Well Beatle friends, we sure had another exciting Beatles year, didn't we?   The box sets for John Lennon Imagine, the White Album (and from what I hear) Paul McCartney early Wings were outstanding!     Ringo was knighted and is now and forevermore known as "Sir Ringo."    Some of you were able to see Paul in concert and many of us in the U.S. got to see Ringo (and I got to meet him!).    Yellow Submarine was on the big screen and sold out all over the place.  The Beatles were celebrated in Festivals, concert halls, and conventions around the globe.    Thanks to all of us, they remain on top without any decline. 

2019 has hopes to be another great Beatle year.   I know that I have tickets to see Paul twice in June!  Ringo has announced another tour as well.   Abbey Road will turn 50 this year and so while nothing official has been announced about it, you and I both know that important anniversary isn't going to pass by unnoticed. 

Speaking of important anniversaries:  Meet the Beatles...for Real turns 10 years old in March!   I want to do something special to celebrate this milestone.    I was thinking about having a "party" on Facebook live and giving away prizes and things.   Would any of you be interested in that? 

I am getting the notice that I need to renew this site.   Two friendly folks donated this year towards the renewal and a few of you clicked on the Amazon links that I post, but I still need about $12 to keep the site running.   Not that I mind paying the fee, but many, many of you have asked over the years how you can help.     There is a donation button on the "about me" page.    Any money that I make that goes past the amount needed to keep the site going ad-free will go towards buying contest prizes. 

I hope you all have a great New Year's Eve and stay safe tonight.

Peace and Love
Sara S.

The Top 10 posts of 2018

As another year comes to a close,  I will take some time to do my MTBFR tradition of looking at the yearly stats on the site and seeing what some of the most popular posts were from the past 365 days. 

One this that is for certain:  readership was WAY down in 2018 from previous years.   I don't know why.   And at first, it sort of bothered me.   Are Beatle fans no longer interested in the content I have on this site?    But then I realize that it really doesn't matter.   I am not getting paid for this site, so it isn't like my income went down.    And I do this mainly for fun.  I enjoy doing it.   That hasn't stopped, so what does it matter honestly if I used to get 2,500 hits a day and now I get 1,300?

So let's take a look at the most popular posts of 2018.   It gives us a chance to remember as well as gives you a chance to look at it in case you missed the posts. 

10.  John and Yoko with Tommy

       Posted February 20, 2018

       429 hits

This post is more than just a great 1980 photo of John and Yoko.  It is a search for Tommy, who is photographed with them.   As far as I know, Tommy's former penpal is still trying to find him.  Maybe you can help?

9.  Arrested in Japan

     Posted January 17, 2018

     431 hits

What can I say?   Paul's arrest in Japan in January 1980 is always a popular topic among us fans.  

8.   The Plaza

Posted February 12, 2018  

432 hits

There is nothing I like more than piecing together information to figure out when and where a certain photograph was taken.    Working together, we became certain that this photograph was taken outside the Plaza hotel.   But was it taken on the last day Ringo and John saw each other?    Go back and read through the comments and see what you think.   (Personally, I like to think that it was taken that day).

7.  Arm in Arm

Posted June 11, 2018

441 hits

It is always a special treat when a fan shares a photo with this blog.   Again much thanks have to go to Annette for sharing these special photos of Paul and Jane from 1968. 

6.  Visiting Dylan

Posted November 26, 2018

524 hits

Just a single photograph of George Harrison and Robbie Robertson.  However, it is a great photograph from 1968.  

5.  New Yellow Submarine Contest

Posted July 12, 2018

618 hits

I am not going to even post a link to this one.   Over the summer I ran a contest to win some great Yellow Submarine themed prizes in honor of the 50th anniversary of the film.    It actually was a very popular contest.    Which reminds me:   2019 will be this blog's 10th anniversary and I have some great contests planned, so keep visiting for the upcoming contests!

4.  John Lennon's many wives

Posted April 1, 2018

1120 hits

As you look at the date this was posted, it should be obvious that this was an April Fool's joke.  I sure had a lot of fun writing it and I hope you all got a chuckle.   

3.  Penny Lane Pub

Posted March 4, 2018

1568 hits

One of my all-time favorite photo of all four Beatles with fans.   When I posted this, it had just been unveiled by Mark Lewishon.   Some people on Facebook were saying it was a fake, but come on--- look at it and you will know it is the real deal. 

2.  I met a Beatle...for Real!!!

Posted September 9, 2018

2565 hits

photo copyright by Sara and Coral Schmidt 

Well on September 7, 2018 backstage at the Fox Theater it happened.   I finally met one of the Beatles!  I met Ringo and lived to tell the tale on this blog.   It was a real dream come true.  I gave Ringo a copy of my book and stood there as he flipped through it and made comments.     It truly was the highlight of 2018 for me and maybe even one of the biggest highlights of my life.  

1.  Remembering Paul Goresh

Posted January 15, 2018

4223 hits

It is always sad when the most popular post on this site is because someone passed away.   But I think it really speaks volumes about Paul Goresh that so many people came here after his death in January to pay their respects and share their memories.   And it is an honor for me that my site about fans that met the Beatles is where people come to look for information about Paul and his special relationship with John.  

Row Row Row your boat

Ringo joins the laugh in

Happy Birthday Heather

Photo copyright belongs to Sara Schmidt. Do not use without permission 

Wishing Heather  McCartney a very happy birthday today.   Heather is always the one "Beatle kid" that has my sympathy.    She was thrown into the spotlight at a young age because her mom married one of the Beatles.   Suddenly, every Beatle fan wanted to talk to the cute little girl.   She was often bratty towards the fans, and then she retreated into herself and was into punk music and her own thing.    While her little sisters have been extremely successful in their careers, Heather has stayed way out of the spotlight.     Really the last I have heard from her was in the early 2000s when she launched her own pottery line. 

Rumors say that she lives a quiet life in Arizona.  Rumors also claim that she struggles with mental illness.   I hope that wherever Heather is today,  that she is happy and has found peace away from her family's fame.    I hope she gets to celebrate her birthday today with cake, friends, and laughter. 

Get down tonight

Ringo sells camera bags to Paul

Inside Cavendish

Photos taken by Stuart Kendell (for sale by Tracks UK)

Paper airplanes

December 30, 1968

Dinner photo

Scanned from the original photograph from the collection of Sara Schmidt 

In this circa 1976 photo, Ringo is out dining with friends.   Next to him is his girlfriend, Nancy Andrews and next to her is Peter Lawford.    Peter was a British actor that was living in L.A. and was known as a socialite.    He has quite the Beatles connection because he was with John the night of the infamous Smother Brother's concert at the Trubador  (you can spot him in the photographs because he has a huge smile).     He also owned the house where Ringo and John lived along with Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson and the rest of the "uh-oh" files folks. 

Linda makes herself comfortable

Just some light reading

Abbey Road Work

Dutch fan now in color

Corresponding Report from L.A. (1968)

This report comes from the "FLMC newsletter" September 1968 edition.   I really don't agree with all of the opinions of the writers, but it is an interesting piece to see what the mindset of what fans were during this time in The Beatles career.   This was written by Mar Y. and Fern B.

I want to start this report by confirming the following rumor.  Yes, it's true that John Lennon flew to L.A. to announce his engagement to our roving reporter, Fern.  Now let's get down to business.

As all of you know, John and Cyn are getting a divorce and most everyone is still blaming John.  Well, let it be known that a man that's truly happy and satisfied at home doesn't have to go out looking.   Kind of puts the shoe on the other foot, huh?  We feel that both John and Cyn are to blame, but both deserve happiness.  Let's hope they can find it now.

How's this for timing:  Ringo and Maureen dined at one of Beverly Hills best-known restaurants -- The Luau, a restaurant we pass quite a few times a week and talk about going into, but never do.  Also while in town, Ringo and George visited The Factor -  George on Wednesday and Ringo on Friday.  Both were minus wives.  They also went to the Whiskey -a Go-Go.  Rumor has it that Ringo went to a Tiny Tim concert in Santa Monica (where we live), but the rumor has yet to be confirmed. 

I'm not going to mention that I heard that John and Yoko's latest film shows them making love and also a five-minute kiss.

The two of us and Lucille were lucky enough to meet and talk to that beautiful green-eyed sexy hunk of a man -- The Paul McCartney M.B.E. at the Beverly Hills Hotel bungalow.  He was like everyone says.  He is charming, witty and very understanding.  Paul was leaving for a boat cruise up and down the California coast.  and for those who are interested, Paul is the proud owner of a very hairy belly button!

We hear from Cindi that John has an apartment near Hyde Park.  We wonder how long before fans find out where it is?

Ringo has joined his fellow Beatles and finally signed on as a composer for Apple Corps Ltd. can't wait to hear his first song. 

Magical Mystery Tour showed in New York on August 11.  We wonder how it went off.  When it was shown here, the turn out was fantastic and the response was even better.  (Your mother should know received five standing ovations!)

 John Lennon has sexy teeth.  He also claims to be the world's worst speller.

For all you with curious minds:  Yoko has been married twice before and has a four-year-old daughter.  She claims to have given birth to a grapefruit when she was a teenager and gets kicks out of hurling paint at her critics and ripping her clothes off when she's mad ...usually in public.  Ho Hum.

Well, John and Ringo are getting impatient so this 007 and 007 1/2 singing off for now.  Happy Birthday to our good friend Cindi.  Cheerio -- till next time!

We love you Beatles!

Ringo wonders if he needs to update his resume

Skiing practice

George on the streets of london

Love & Peace to all of you

I want to take a moment to wish all of you readers of Meet The Beatles...For Real a very Happy Christmas.   I hope Santa has been kind to you this year and you were gifted with many Beatles goodies in your stockings. 

Many thanks to all of you for taking time out of your lives to spend a little time at this site.  In spite of my backward photos, incorrect spellings and misinformation, I hope that you have found things here that made you smile.


Please take time today to spread a little peace and love to those less fortunate in your area.   

Have a great and happy Crimble everyone!

Fan club Christmas card

From Sara Schmidt's collection 

Here is a fan club item I obtained this year.....a Christmas card sent to British fan club secretaries.   It was "signed" by the Beatles (most likely signed by someone at the Fan Club Office in London).     I love having items like this in my collection and wanted to share this with all of you.

The Beatles meet the abominable snowman

Happy Christmas from John and Yoko

Brian Epstein presents.....

A Christmas Concert

50 years since the wildest Christmas Party ever

I am sure that many of you went to various Christmas Parties this weekend.  And while some of them might have been a little crazy, I sure hope none of you experienced the craziness of the Christmas Party held at 3 Savile Row 50 years ago today. 

Apple decided to have a Christmas Party on December 23, 1968.   The party was to have two parts.  At 2:30pm there was to be a children's party.   I am not sure what children exactly were invited, but I do know that Zak and Jason Starkey were there as well as Apple employee's kids and relatives.     Somehow John Lennon was talked into playing the part of Father Christmas and Yoko joined in as Mother Christmas.    The children's party went alright, I suppose.    The kids were bouncing off the walls, as would be expected for young kids, especially given the fact that they were fed cookies and candy.    They were entertained by some typical child party entertainers (I recall a ventriloquist).   Then John and Yoko (along with Mary Hopkin) came out and delivered the wrapped gifts to the kids.  John was heard saying a very deadpan, "Ho Ho Ho" and Yoko was heard saying a bizarre "He He He."  Mary was there to help hand out the gifts.

Don't you think John could have worn better shoes when he was Father Christmas?

By 6:00 the adult party was to get started (although some of the kids were still there).   There was a cast of pretty wild characters at the party.   We had the homeless family that was there as well as the Hell's Angles that came by George Harrison's invite.    George wasn't at the party and neither was Paul.    For the second part of the party, John and Yoko changed back to their regular clothing.  Derek Taylor got a turkey that was over 40 pounds and was supposedly the biggest Christmas turkey in England that year.    The turkey was taking a long, long time to cook and the Hell's Angels guys were really hungry and impatient and started a fight.  Someone got punched and John almost got hit as well and then Peter Brown stepped in and tried to get the situation calmed down.    Eventually, the turkey was ready and the main Angel guy, Pete grabbed the turkey leg and ripped it off the bird and gnawed on it while the rest of the crew tore the bird to pieces. 


Crazy but true times at Apple!

Make Way for The Beatles

Summer, George and Pepsi-cola

John leave a tip

High Kicks with Macca