Report from Beatlefest -- top 5 highlights of the weekend.

I am here for my annual report back from the Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago.    2018's Fest was a great time.   I was on four panels and gave a presentation -- so I was pretty busy.    I did not have a table set up to sell anything, so I was still able to see a lot of great things.    It was AWESOME talking to so many of you at the Fest!     A special hello to Kristine, Lola, and Kaeli who I met for the first time at this year's Fest and to all the people that stopped me and said "hi."   It really made me happy to see so many blog visitors in person.   You guys are really out there! 

Here are my personal top 5 best things about the Fest this year....


5.    Jude Southerland Kessler's Book Release Party

Before the Fest got going on Saturday morning, there was a special party to celebrate the release for Jude Southerland Kessler's 4th book in the John Lennon series called Should have Known Better.     What a great party that was!   Scott Erickson played John Lennon songs on the guitar,  there were donuts, door prizes, and lots of mingling and chatting about the Beatles and John Lennon.     

4.  Little Nicola

Remember the adorable Little Nicola from the Magical Mystery Tour film?   Well, she is now all grown up and was a delight to hear speak at the Fest.    Her memories were so cute!  It was a treat listening to her and meeting her after her talk.

3.  Seeing the next generation of fans

No need for more cowbell on this great rendition of "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and Monkey" by the Chicago School of Rock 

I can't tell you how much I love 3rd generation Beatles fans.   You guys are amazing!    Let's just stop and think about the fact that The Beatles have three generations of die-hard major fans.    I love the fact that places like The Fest for Beatle fans, all three generations can gather together and express the same passion for the guys.     The third generation fans made a big impression on me at the Fest this year.   The Chicago School of Rock did an amazing job on songs from the White Album and Hey Bulldog on Sunday morning.    If this is how we are going to hear Beatles music performed live in the future, then we have nothing to be concerned about because they play music that rocks!     I also enjoyed talking to several third gen fans.       These are the ones that will keep the Beatles legacy going, so more power to them!

2.  Tea and memories

On Friday night there was a nice session called "Tea and Memories" where those of us who regularly attend these conventions came together and shared our favorite Fest memories, photographs, programs along with a lot of laughs.    The Fest has become a sort of family reunion among all of us that go and it is a great time to spend with each other.   We have made so many wonderful memories and so many unforgettable things have happened over the years that it was so great to share those memories and be reminded of things forgotten.    Wally was a wonderful host. 

1.  Jack Douglas

John Lennon's producer, Jack Douglas was one of the best guests the Fest has ever had.    He really was the star of the weekend.    He told so many stories about John while making Imagine and during Double Fantasy.    His stories really brought out John's humor and personality.    Jack showed some photos and then he played the songs "Watching the Wheels" and "Woman" starting with the demo, then the rough mix and the final mix.    Hearing those songs like that was really emotional for everyone, but it was so appreciated that Jack brought them for us.     He was such a nice man.  He met with every one after his talks and his line was really long because he spent time telling more stories at the table.    He signed the book "Starting over" for me underneath a photo of him in the book and he told me all about when the photo was taken.    Such an unforgettable moment, especially since I am such a John lover.   

Honorable mentions go to All of the panel discussions, Geoff Emerick, late-night sing-alongs, singing "Hey Jude" on the stage, the artwork in memory of Nicole,  Ringo's drum kits,  and the brownies at the staff party.         It was great and I hope to do it again next year.     Attendance was noticably low, but it was pretty crowded on Saturday and everyone I spoke with was having a great time.   

Penny Lane Flower shop

I hope you all got to see the one hour Carpool Karaoke with Paul on television tonight.   It was so good and fun to watch.   The only thing better would have been to live it -- like these ladies in the Penny Lane Flower Shop did when they got to sing "Penny Lane" with Paul for the camera.   

Lennon and McCartney (the second generation)

I know this photo has been popping up all over the place lately.    It is a  nice photo.    You can see in both of these musicians the physical likeness to each of their fathers, which is why it makes everyone so excited to see.


However -- I love the fact that Sean and James get together and hang out.   James has a guitar.  Maybe they sat around and played together.   Maybe Sean will be on James' next album (Dhani was on his last one).    It warms my heart that the Beatles kids are like cousins to one another.    James and Sean don't even need to know one another.    The Beatles were long broken up by the time they were born.   Paul and John weren't spending time together.    Yet, here they are and it really warms my heart. 

Why did the Beatle cross the road?

July 23, 2018 -  Paul McCartney crosses the road, but not just any road.  It is the newly repaved Abbey Road zebra crossing.  He is looking pretty cool in his Birkenstock sandals. 

Peace and Love!

I hope you all said peace and love in celebration of Ringo's 78th birthday yesterday.    Isn't his cake amazing!!

Running into Ringo

Meeting Paul in Greece

I found this on facebook, and it was not credited to the fan that took the photograph or wrote the story.  If you know who this lucky fan happens to be, please let us know. 

June 29, 2018



"Still buzzing like crazy !!!!
I met Sir Paul McCartney on Tuesday night !!!!
He had a real conversation with him that lasted several minutes, was very original in how it unfolded, and especially, how it ended, amazing experience !!!

And what's more, I did not bother one bit - it came to me :)))
Will give details soon.

Update # 1: He's on the Greek islands, I will not tell you where until I know he's gone. Why? It's just that he did not mention where he is on any website, no British tabloid (who often takes photos and makes a report on his whereabouts) said something, no mention of it anywhere. I think that's what he wants and just because I came across it, it's not right to publish it, is it? He took pictures of the kind of advertising on the Acropolis, but ever since ... silence.

Update # 2: My daughter wanted to go shopping at a private store as we were strolling around the village, and my wife went with her. I went looking for a friend, I could not find it, so I went back to the store. I saw that my wife and daughter were almost done, so I waited outside for them. Suddenly, right in front of the store, I see Paul !!!

Update # 3: (I knew he had been on the island the night before, the whole place was buzzing about it.We had arrived that day for a pre-planned vacation.I did not know if he had stayed or moved, but we three argued and we decided that if we happened to see him, we would not bother him because he was on vacation.A smile and that's it ...)

Update 4: Quickly took the picture you saw and then hid my phone immediately. He had no idea that I had taken the photo while he was posing for someone in his group, who in turn was also being photographed by someone else in the group. (those who were kneeling) They seemed to be relatives of Nancy, although I paid little attention to them when I was stunned.

Update # 5: After about 10-15 seconds of taking pictures, they were done. Paul turned to leave, but our eyes met and he looked at me with intensity! He was 6 or 7 meters away, as in the photo. frozen in my place, stunned, just looking at him.

Update 6: He started walking toward me while still looking straight into my eyes. I could not move ...

Update # 7: When he approached me, I actually tried to wave him (still unable to move) saying "I do not want to bother you on your vacation"! He kept on approaching, put his hand on my right arm and said, "It's cool dude!" Suddenly I felt at ease, relaxed!

Update # 8: Then he comes very close to me, inches from my face, gives me his handHyde and says "Kalispera!", Which is Greek for Good Night. I shake his hand, saying, "Kalispera, my name is Vassilis." He replied "I do not speak Greek besides Kalispera", I laughed and said "do not worry, my English is very good!"

Update # 9: I tell him, "You can not imagine what your music means to me," he says "Thank you" as I take my hand with his, putting it (!!!) in a very warm, your face only an inch from mine, no more !!!
Update #10: Suddenly a scream of GOAL overwhelmed the area!Argentina had scored its first goal in the World Cup game against Nigeria (so I know the precise moment all this happened!!!) Paul turns around to look at the TV in the distance and says to me “was that Messi that scored???”.

Update #11: I said to him “Yes, I believe it was Messi!”.Seeing the replay from a distance Paul said “Nah, I don’t think it was Messi”.I said “Yes, it was Messi!”.Of course it WAS Messi who had scored, but even though the TV was too far to make out the details, I could hear what the sportscaster was saying in Greek as the TV was blaring loud!

Update #12: After that was settled, Paul turned around and looked at me with a look that said...’so, you were saying...’

Update #13: I took a deep breath, and said what I’ve always wanted to say to him, without ever having prepped the specific words, but I knew what I wanted to say and it just somehow came out right:

Update #14: (background for context, I was 14, almost 15, studying classical piano at a very strict school, the same one Maria Callas attended in Athens. I did not know the Beatles at that time, heard about them of course,but no details or specific knowledge of songs, etc, and my teacher said to me one day after an incident, “if you're going to play rock music ever, stick with the Beatles, I personally think they are as creative as Bach.” That blew my mind, I had to discover who these Beatles were! boy, did I ever! Turns out I knew many of their songs already, I just did not know about them specifically until after that moment).

Update #15: So, here's Sir Paul McCartney, his eyes literally an inch or two away from mine, like the Close Talker Seinfeld episode...and I said, “Ever since I discovered you at the age of 15, you have beena constant, daily, non-stop source of inspiration, creativity and happiness for me - and I thank you!”
.
Update #16: I saw his face change, it touched him.He grabbed both my arms and slowly said “Wow!Beautiful!Fantastic, fantastic!”

Update #17: Wanting to say goodbye, he lifts both hands up in the air, I lift mine, our 10 fingers interlocking, he says “be well, be good .... fantastic”.In the mean time, my 13 year-old daughter, who is a musician herself, has exited the store and is in utter disbelief seeing daddy, interlocking hands in the air with Sir Paul McCartney!!!

Experience of a lifetime!!!and for me specifically, even saying that is an understatement:))))))".

Ringo meets contest winners in Israel

This past weekend some Ringo fans had the chance of a lifetime when they won a local contest to meet Sir Ringo himself backstage before the first Tel Aviv concert.      One of the lucky winners was Daniel, who was able to get a photograph taken with Ringo along with his lovely lady and two other contest winners (The little boy giving a peace sign in a Beatles t-shirt is adorable!).


There was a little disappointment that Ringo would not sign any autographs or make himself available to fans while staying in the country.    While Ringo did flash a quick peace sign to a small group of fans that were calling his name outside of the venue, he was not seen anywhere else before or after the concerts. 


I asked Daniel if he enjoyed the concerts (he went to both of them) and he said, "Yes, very much. On stage he is the most sweet guy and sweet to the fans."


As Ringo continues to tour around the world this summer and into the fall, let me know if you have any stories or photos to share!

We went into a dream

I am sure many of you are like me and have been to Liverpool and went on a Beatles tour.   If you haven't had the good fortune of doing that, it is something that is on your bucket list.    And if you have gone or will be going, you MUST book a tour with the best tour guide in Liverpool, Jackie Spencer.    I have told you all about Jackie before.    She is the greatest because she is a real, true Beatles fan.   George is her favorite.   There is nothing better than going a Beatles tour with someone that loves the band as much as you do.

Part of the tour includes going down to the dock and seeing the extra large Beatles statue.    No one ever thinks they will meet a Beatle on a Beatles tour in Liverpool.    But it never hurts to daydream about it    That dream came true to the wonderful fans that were on Jackie's tour the day Paul and James Corden came into town.    They just happened to have been at the Beatles statues at the right time.     I asked them to share a little bit about what they saw and thought while it all went down.

Hi Sara, it was an incredible moment of good luck for us all! Jackie was just finishing a tour with myself, my husband John (we are from Washington state), my sister in law and her husband (Susie and Nacho Ramirez from California). Since we were all there, here are all of our thoughts, if you don’t mind:

Myself:
I was thing about the statues and how they must’ve felt leaving their home town. We were leaving Liverpool the next day so Jackie really had us thinking about it. Paul came walking up, I saw all of the cameras and ran across the front of him to get some pictures! I just kept thinking I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it! And I’m pretty sure I squealed a little

John:
My initial thought when he hopped out of the car was that I couldn’t believe it and it took my breath away. This can’t be happening I said to myself several times.

Susie:
Our hearts and minds were completely immersed in Beatlemania having just done Jackie’s tour. Then to be standing at the statue of them leaving, and we were leaving, up walks Sir Paul larger than life! I thought wow! What a fulfilling moment.

Nacho:
It was unbelievable that he was there in his home town and so cool to be seeing him there in his home town!

We also felt like “somebody spoke and” we “went into a dream”!!

Visiting old haunts

Peter Asher and Albert Lee Concert: A review

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

Last week I was in Ohio, doing research for my book and I not only got to meet up with the girls that once ran the "With a Little Help from my Friends" fan club, but I was also invited to join them in Kent, Ohio to see Peter Asher and Albert Lee in concert. 

I wasn't quite sure if I knew who Albert Lee was, but as soon as I saw him, I recognized him.   He is the white-haired guitarist that plays in the Concert for George!    Come to find out, I have heard him many times and just never realized who he is.

Photo by Sara Schmidt 

Peter and Albert have a very laid-back set where Peter (and sometimes Albert) share the stories that go along with the songs they performed.    A lot of the show was a time-travel back to when they were teenagers and they played songs by the Everly Brothers, Elvis, etc.      Albert is an outstanding guitarist as well as keyboard player and Peter plays rhythm guitar and sings harmony.     The setlist was heavy on these songs from the 1950's but Peter did include three songs from Peter and Gordon and Albert performed an amazing version of Greenday's "Time of your Life."

Peter Asher by Sara Schmidt 

The best part of the night was hearing Peter Asher talk about being in Peter and Gordon and his experiences in the U.S and the U.K.    The stories about managing James Taylor was also interesting.   Unfortunately, Peter's voice isn't very strong.   He needed to talk-sing through "I go to Pieces" because he voice just isn't able to sing it.      Peter sounded good when he was singing harmony on a song, but his voice just didn't seem like it could handle taking the lead.

Peter Asher playing banjolele on "Lady Godiva"  by Sara Schmidt 

The concert was quite enjoyable and a calm evening out.     As I listened to the performance, I couldn't help but think how blessed we are right now that so many of the Beatle people are still alive and able to share their stories and music with us.    The group that falls into that category is getting smaller and smaller every year and so that is why you should not miss a chance to see Peter Asher and Albert Lee if you get the chance to see him.

Albert, Peter, mom and me 

Klaus and Ringo in Hamburg

Ringo and Klaus were  seen at the Kaiserkeller in Hamburg
photo by Stefanie Hempel

Klaus joined in on singing "With a little help from my friends"

Nothing warms the heart as much as seeing one of the Beatles spending time with an old pal from the Beatles circle.   I love that when Ringo was in Hamburg, Germany yesterday and today, he hung out with Klaus Voormann!   

Paul's homecoming

June 9, 2018 was an exciting day for Beatles fans in Liverpool.   Paul McCartney along with James Corden arrived in town much to the surprise of everyone!    Paul was seen down at the dock at the Beatles statues,  the Penny Lane area, his childhood home on Forthlin and ended up playing a surprise gig at the Phil (where I hope he used the fancy men's loo).

I am hoping to gather several stories of fans that were able to have a close encounter of a Paul kind yesterday, so expect to see and hear more about this soon.

But I thought I would start with these great photos of Paul at Forthlin take by a friend of this blog, Mark Ashworth (who has a great Liverpool focused Beatles blog called Places I remember) 

Pretty surreal to see Paul at a place that is now a tourist attraction, but to him was where he called home. 

Just a reminder that you never know where you might see Paul McCartney! 

Ringo and Paul

Ringo and Paul Simon backstage at the Hollywood Bowl on May 23, 2018

Beatle cousins

Anytime I see members of the Beatles family hanging out without being part of a "Beatles event," it warms my heart.    They really are their own little family -- now why Sean decided to go out on a boat in a suit and tie and look so serious, I don't know. 

Serious

A  nice serious photograph from May 4, 2018, when Paul was honored by the Queen.   But wait---who else is in this lovely photograph?    It looks to be a Paul fan sneaking a peek of the man himself and photobombing. 

LIPA visit

May 1, 2018, Paul goes to LIPA to talk to some of the students there.   I love how committed he has remained to the school.    He could have started it up and then backed away and never returned and people would still praise him for starting up the school.   But Paul has always been involved and meets with students and attends graduation ceremonies every year.     I am sure these students know just how fortunate they really are.

One lucky baby

March for our lives

Most of you know that I am not a politically minded person.      I usually keep my thoughts on controversial matters to myself.     I wanted to post these photos of Paul and Nancy at the March for our lives gathering in New York for a few reasons.    First of all, they are photos of Paul meeting fans and that is the main focus of the blog.  The second reason is that I personally was touched by the fact that he was marching for his "best friend that was a victim of gun violence."     He was there near the Dakota building for John.    That brought tears to my eyes.   

I don't' want this post to be about guns.   Each of us has our own views on this matter and spatting things off on a Beatles blog isn't going to change anything.

I want to focus on the fact that Paul and Nancy were there for John.

With Billy Jean King