Have a Rockin' New Year!

I want to wish all of you that read Meet the Beatles... For Real a very happy New Year.  I want to send my deepest condolences to all of you that lost a loved one in 2019 and once again thank each of you that reached out to me after the death of my beloved boyfriend, Shawn.    It has been a rough year in many ways for me personally and I am thankful that the Beatles music has remained the one constant in a time of difficulties. 


We enter into a new year / new decade with uncertainty.    However, one thing I knew for sure:  the future will bring continued Beatles music and events for all of us to enjoy.     I am especially looking forward to seeing Let It Be released officially  (because my bootleg copy looks terrible!).  I hope for the opportunity to see Paul or Ringo in concert again and who knows -- maybe a trip back to jolly England is in order. 

I send each and every one of you my best wishes into the New Year.    Take time to spread the Beatles' message of peace and love to those around you.

Sara S.

Paul and the Little Peppers

How cute are these kids?   I have a strong dislike for dressing up in a Sgt Pepper suit, but even I have to admit that these kids are adorable!   

Paul Surprises Fans in video

This is one of my favorite stories from 2019.  Over in Columbus, Ohio ever December,  for the past 10 years, they have a "Beatles Marathon."    A group of musicians performs every single Beatles song in chronological order.    I personally have never been to this event, but as with all Beatle events, I am sure it is a great time of celebrating the Beatles and their music with like-minded fans. 

Last year one such fan, Amy, attended the event and thought it would be great if Paul or Ringo joined the festivities in 2019.    (Yeah right -- we ALL think that about our Beatles events...Paul and/or Ringo should be there).   Unlike you or me, Amy knew someone that knew someone and so she wrote a letter to Paul and invited him to come.    Amazingly, that letter fell into the hands of Sir Paul himself and while he did not appear in person, he made a special video clip for everyone there and he started the marathon off by beginning to sing "Love Me Do!"   


I think this is amazing because it proves that Paul knows that we have these fun Beatles events throughout the world where fans come together and celebrate the band's music.   He understands how important the songs are to us and how much fun we have when we get together. 

One of the great meetings with Ringo in 2019

Photo copyright to Olivia Anne Morris Fuchs (used with permission)

On September 3, 1964 a teenage Beatle fan named Olivia was able to quickly give Ringo Starr a hug while The Beatles in Indianapolis during their American Tour.


I love this story from this year because it is so out of character for Ringo and yet he made one fan very happy.   I think this is the best meet a Beatle for Real story of 2019  (or at least in the top 5)

Ringo Starr at the Ryman Auditorium on August 7, 2019, at the end of his show reads  my, sign "You hugged me in 1964 in Indy, Again, Please" which I had unfurled onto the seat backs in the 1st row in front of me. He looked, said he couldn't see it well so I held it up, and to my utter astonishment said, "Okay, then, c'mon." And, with that, he gave me another hug, and I stole a kiss. Can you blame me! Love you and many thanks, Ringo Starr 

Take 5

Stupid press conference

Baby Love

Getting a photo with the Beatles

What a great way to get a photograph taken with all four Beatles, right?   

Besides the fact that this is a great photograph, my reason for posting this photo is to ask if any of you out there recognize this young fan?   Scott Belmer, the expert on the Beatles in Cincinnati is trying to figure out this mystery and I offered to post it here and see if any of you know.

The best guess is that it is the son of a newspaper photographer/reporter.  But who??    Leave a comment if you know his identity.

Remembering Funny Man, Neil Innes

Neil Innes at the Chicago Fest for Beatle Fans in 2008
The photo was taken by Sara Schmidt
Do not copy without permission

I am sure that many of you were as surprised as I was this morning when I read that Neil Innes passed away on December 29, 2019.    Neil was a friend to Beatle fans around the world and his personality and humor, as well as his music, left an impact on all of us. 

Neil's biggest Beatles connection would be his performance with the Bonzo Doo Dah Band of "Death Cab for Cutie" in the Magical Mystery Tour film.    Neil's association with the Fab 4 did not end there.    For many of us, Neil is best known as "Ron Nasty" the John Lennon figure in the Rutles movie.   I for one LOVE the Rutles.   The movie is hilarious and Neil's portrayal of Ron Nasty is spot on and amazing.   Plus the songs in the Rutles films that Neil mostly wrote are the best.  Some of my favorites are Ouch, Hold my Hand, Cheese and Onions and Get Up and Go.  

Neil knew all four of The Beatles.  I have heard that John Lennon really thought the Rutles was funny and especially enjoyed Cheese and Onions.   However, he was friends with George Harrison.   Neil spent time with George at Friar Park and he appeared in the Crackerbox Palace video as the lady that pushes the pram.   Both Neil and George were avid ukelele players. 

Neil was part of the Monty Python's and as one of the members, he sang at the Concert for George in the much-needed comedy portion of the show. 

In recent years, Neil Innes had been hitting the Beatle fan conventions.   He amused everyone with his songs and stories.   He was a crowd favorite guest for certain.   One of the most moving performances he would do was the George song "Isn't it a Pity," which he would sing in dedication to the memory of his friend. 

Personally, I saw him at least four times at various Beatlefests over the year.   One of my favorite memories was when I saw him and three of the other Rutles in 1997.  They gave a great concert as well as a press conference in character.   It was great!   That is when I got their autograph.  I was so nervous because I just love the Rutles.   Neil asked me my name and I looked over at my mom and said, something like "She named me."  LOL!   What was that about?    When I dug through my past Fest photos, I didn't see a photo of me and Neil, so I guess I never stood in line to get one.   I did, however, take several photographs of him performing.    All I can say is, "Isn't it a Pity."

My autographs of the three Rutles 

Neil Innes performing at the 2008 Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago
Photo taken by Sara Schmidt
Do not use without permission 

Good Night Vienna goes gold

George at EMI

A Winter Day in New York

December 29, 1974 - Stanshope Hotel in NYC

McCartney on stage

Fancy a smoke?

Strolling onto the plane

Christmas Skit

Beatles Christmas skit  December 26, 1964

The Award winning Beatles!

April 17, 1967

His parents' scrapbook of madness

Classic McCartney

Happy Christmas (War is over)

Ringo in (Christmas) Lights

Happy Christmas to you all!

Here is wishing all of you a very Happy Christmas.    Thank you for sticking with me through my difficult year.     I hope to get the site back to the way I want it to be in 2020.    Best holiday wishes to all commenters, contributors, and lurkers of Meet the Beatles ... For Real. 

and an Apple in a tree.....

Meet the Beatles for Christmas

December 25, 1964 and you finally get the record you've been waiting for -- Meet the Beatles!   Unfortunately, your parents are using the one record player in the house to play Christmas records.  So you lay on the couch and re and re-read the back of the album while your stupid siblings pose for photos with their crap.

Christmas pajamas

Truthfully I don't know if this photo of the McCartney girls was taken at Christmas or not, but it reminds me of Christmas, so I am posting it tonight. 

Train Ride for Peace

December 23, 1969

The Beatles play on Christmas Eve

Wonderful Christmastime

Interview around the Christmas tree

Moving day

Photo taken by one of the girls in this story on July 18, 1970

This story was written by Kris M. and was first published in the Beatles fan newsletter, "Beatles Rule" in the September 1970 issue. 


July 18 (1970) -  Linda, Glenna, Joann and myself decided to go to see George's bungalow just for the heck of it.  We went up Clairmont Lane and got lost two hours looking for Claremont Drive.  We were walking along the road when we spotted George's car (the white mini).  Glenna spotted a sitar and his jacket but we spotted no bungalow.  We turned a corner and found George and Terri coming towards us!  We tried to be calm and got to speak with him for a while.  He was so nice!  He looked good, thinner and his hair is very long now and it was tied back in a ponytail.  He said he'd be starting to record in about two weeks.  He stopped for lots of pictures and movies.  Then he waved goodbye in his car as he drove away.  Then, we went back to his house and saw Mal moving out stuff from his house. We asked him if we could walk around and he said OK adn we walked into some of his rooms -- the bathroom, sitting room and kitchen.  Then Glenna asked Mal if she could have a big black and white poster of George that was in his garage.  Mal said "No."  Then Glenna said, "Why not?"  and Mal said he wanted it and Glenna said, "I'll give you anything for it!"  Mal smiled and said, "Anything?  I've been on the road too long for that sort of thing!"  (he has a dirty mind).  Then we spoke to him about Paul, John and Yoko.  That was a day we'll never forget!

Marching with Macca