Bring Paul his Scotch and Coke

 

Talk to an old friend

 August 9, 1989 - Philadelphia talking with Larry Kane.

Tie for auction

 Over the years we have learned that while raising money in Philadelphia for the Helping Hands Charity, John Lennon auctioned off his sock and his hat.   Now, thanks to a current eBay listing, we learn that he also auctioned off his tie.  If you look closely, you can see in the photograph that John is holding the tie.  I personally could not find a photo from that day of John wearing this particular tie.  

Here is what,  Ted Vollmer,  the person that originally bought the tie directly from John says about that experience:

John Lennon spent a weekend in Philadelphia in May 1975 to assist local news anchor, Larry Kane with the Helping Hands Charity marathon.  He made appearances at WFIL studios to greet fans. 

I attended one of these events. Mr. Lennon, to garner money for charity, removed his own necktie from around his neck.  He held it up asking who would want to buy it. In spite of trying to act cool and calm, I was star-struck and rushed to the barricade offering my last $20 for the tie.  Mr. Lennon accepted the money for the charity and signed the tie. 

I have had this tie in a plastic bag for the past 46 years. I am now ready to release it. I will no longer have the tie, but I will always have a good story.  

The tie can now be yours for just under $10,000 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294805012602?hash=item44a3bf807a:g:LpEAAOSweFxiA~6n

Busy with Interviews

Thank you note

The Beatles, being the well-mannered fellows that they were, would send thank you notes to the people who helped them out on the tour, often with a small gift. I wonder if bands nowadays still do this sort of thing?  The letter here was sent to Larry Kane, and while it could have been a form letter, it was obviously signed by the Beatles, and I love how George sends a note to say hi to Sgt. Buddy (he really must have made an impression of the Beatles!)

The problem in America

Larry Kane interviewed the Beatles individually backstage before the concerts in Chicago in 1965.   Interestingly enough, they were looking at a magazine (was it Newsweek?) with the title "the White problem in America."   Their was a lot of racial tension in the United States in 1965.   The Watts riots were going on when the Beatles came to the U.S. and this was a topic the Beatles discussed backstage.    Things haven't changed very much in 50 years, sadly.

A busy time backstage in Atlanta

Ringo is interviewed by Larry Kane

A smoke and a chat

Report back from the Fest for Beatlefans Chicago 2013

Sara's report on the Fest for Beatlefans (aka Beatlefest) Chicago 2013

People who attend Beatle conventions do so for a variety of reasons.   None of those reasons are better than the other; it is just a matter of personal choice.   That sort of stood out to me this past weekend at  the Chicago Fest for Beatle fans.   As I saw it, there are mostly three groups at the Fest.  Obviously this is a generalization and will not be completely  true.   There is one group of fans who are at the Fest for the music.    They listen to all of the bands, all of the sound alike contests and all of the musicians.    They might be a musician themselves and brought along a guitar and joined in for some late night/early morning jam sessions.    These people are the ones that you will hear saying things like, “We are here for the music.  That is what the Beatles did—make music!”      The second group are the “scholarly” Beatles fans.   These people attend panel discussions on the strange details of the Beatles.  They enjoy the lectures and the trivia.   And there is a third group of people who are simply using the Fest as a springboard to party.    They brought a huge cooler full of their favorite alcoholic beverages and are ready to drunkenly sing “Hey Jude” with those musician people.   They have little interest in attending any sessions or discussions.   They are there just for the party.

It is no surprise that I tend to fall into the scholarly type, and maybe more so this year than any other year.    Strangely I did not hear Liverpool perform at all and I did not attend any of the musicians’ forums or performances.    I did not hear Chad and Jeremy or Joey from Badfinger.    The only music thing I did (besides singing under the stairs) was attend the Battle of the Beatle Bands contest.     But you can’t be everywhere at once at the Fest, and I had to choose what I wanted to hear the most.

Let me just go ahead and get the negative things out of the way.     I go into the Fest with the attitude that I will have a good time.   I am there to celebrate my favorite subject, the Beatles, with others who also love the Beatles as much as I do.    So it would take a lot for me to say that I didn’t enjoy the Fest.    So these observations are not me in any way complaining or trying to say that I didn’t have fun.   The Fest wasn’t as well attended as it has been in years past.    The venders selling Beatles goods in the marketplace was MUCH less than I have ever seen it.     The truth of the matter is that the Fest is in need of making some changes if it wants to continue on.    As the people in the Beatles camp continue to pass away, it is getting harder and harder to find guest speakers with a Beatles connection.     There are a lot of ideas I have in my mind.  Ultimately I am scared that this trend of less people and venders is the beginning of the end and in 10-15 years there might not be a Beatles convention anymore.   The idea of that makes me so sad.   I hope those of us who love these type of gatherings can work together to make sure that doesn’t occur. 

On with my report:

Friday:

As usual, my mom and I took the Amtrak Train from Alton, Illinois to Union Station in downtown Chicago.  From there we walked to the “EL” station and got on the blue line that took us directly to Rosemont, where the hotel is located.   Well, my mom sprained her ankle a week and a half before our trip and it is still purple, so we had to move a lot slower than usual.   But we arrived and got checked into the hotel and were all set for our first day at the Fest for Beatles fans.   

We started off the festivities by watched “A Hard Day’s Night” up on the big screen.   It is always fun to watch with other fans and I will never get tired of watching that amazing film.   Then we traveled downstairs to where the art exhibit, memorabilia museum and marketplace are located.    I was able to catch up with, Chuck, who has an amazing book about the Beatles American tours (see the link at the top of this page) coming out next year.   You heard it here first…the book “Some Fun Tonight” will be THE book of 2014 for Beatle fans to get!    I was able see  the preview of the book and  was privy to some super rare photos!   Total highlight of Friday for me  (and that wasn’t even an official Beatlefest activity or anything).   

This little George Harrison doll didn't win the art contest, but was my favorite piece.

From there it was up to the room where all of the discussions were held.   I listened to talks about Collecting Beatles Memorabilia,  100 things Beatles fans should know before they die, Talking Beatles art (with the wonderful artist Eric Cash and Georgia Flood), A Culinary Tribute to the Beatles (yeah I thought it was going to be stupid, too.   But it was actually a fun presentation and the free samples were yummy).  The last thing for the evening was a discussion about 35 years of Beatlefan magazine.   What a delight that discussion was!   Being a 20 year subscriber to the zine, I was fascinated to hear how it all began and what has kept it going for the past 35 years.

Artists:  Georgina, Eric, and Deco with moderator Wally

Saturday:

The morning started off with breakfast away from the hotel with some friends.    When we returned we watched Rob Shanahan, who is Ringo’s official photographer, talk about his photographs.   Next up was Bruce Spizer talking about Vee-Jay Records followed by Larry Kane discussing his new book.    Larry Kane is a really great guy!   I love hearing him talk about his time on tour with the Beatles.   

Larry Kane:  toured with the Beatles and was the man behind the Helping Hands marathon in 1975. 

After a bit more shopping, we watched a great presentation by Jude Southerland-Kessler where she read from her upcoming book, She Loves you  while showing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.   Then it was finally time for the reason why I wanted to come to Beatlefest so badly this year:  The premiere of the film Good Ol Freda.   As you know, I have been a Freda Kelly fan for a long time.    I donated to the campaign to get the documentary made.   This film is one of the best Beatles documentaries I have ever seen.   It was just amazing.   I will be posting more about the film and how we as fans can get the word out there about it.    The stories Freda tells in the film and the photos and everything are just so good.   Freda and the film’s producers took some questions after the showing.   I could not stay for the entire thing because I was needed upstairs for the panel I was on.

Freda Kelly and Ryan White talking about "Good Ol Freda"

I got to hear the end of Jim Berkenstadt and Chas Newby talking about the Jimmie Nichol book that Jim wrote.   And then it was time for me and the rest of the ladies of the “We’re Talking about Girls now” panel.   It was such an honor to be on a panel with such well-known female Beatles historians.   Honestly I don’t know if I fit in there, but it was good fun to talk a little about this blog and why I do what I do.     Once the panel was over with there was a fun discussion about Liverpool and its humor with Billy J. Kramer, Freda Kelly, Joey Molland and Chas Newby.   Great fun and a lot of laughs.

From there, there really wasn’t a whole lot left to do.   I am not a Martin Lewis fan, so I didn’t want to hear him speak.    So we ended up going into the video room and watching the Beatles in 1964 videos until they kicked me out.     That Around the Beatles Special is just so funny.   It has been awhile since I last saw it. 

We're Talking about Girls panel

Sunday

The last day of the Fest for 2013.    I am not sure if I can go back next August because the Fest is a week later than it was this year and most likely school will be starting back up.   Having a “real job” is a true drag at times.   As much as I like being a teacher, sometimes I just wish I could be a Beatleologist full time.

We started our day with the early bird puppet show by Mr. Puppet, Bob Abdou.     I used to think his puppet shows were a little lame and just goofy.  However, in the past 3-4 years  they have really improved.   His Beatle puppets are adorable and his jokes have gotten better.    Ten years ago I would have said to skip the puppet show, but now I try to see it ever y Sunday of the Fest.    

Next up was Jude S. Kessler again.  This time she did an outstanding presentation on John Lennon’s Liverpool.   Wow!    It was extremely moving and especially interesting to my mom and I since we were just there in Liverpool last month.   Jude is a sweetheart of a John fan and am so glad to have gotten to know her through the Fest.     

I went to the Beatles auction.   There were quite a few autographs that did not sell at all.   I bid and won the Gobel  Yellow Submarine figurines.   

With my winning item in the hotel room.

Robert Rodriguez has a new book (so many books!) about the Beatles Solo in the 70’s, and I didn’t want to miss his talk about it (since I missed it due to the Freda Kelly film on Saturday).    There was a very good discussion about the Beatles in the 1970’s, and I could have participated in that for many hours if they would have allowed it.   Next up was Al Sussman previewing HIS new book about the time in history between Kennedy’s assassination and the Beatles arrival in New York.    I left his talk a bit early to get Freda Kelly’s photograph and talk to her people about my blog.    Then Martin Lewis did a short interview with Freda.    The interview was better than last year’s interview with her, although I still think he asks some questions that are strange.   Even Freda said something along the lines of “what an odd question…” 

My mom really wanted to hear Bruce Spizer and Al Sussman’s talk about country music and its influence on the Beatles’ music.   I am not a country music fan at all, but I figure my mom sat through some topics that should didn’t like (such as the solo Beatles in the 1970’s), so I went to that with her.   It was interesting enough.

Then there was door prizes given away and I won for the first time in 15 years!   I won a Paul McCartney poster from the 1989 world tour.   Art contest winners were announced and the it was the battle of the Beatle bands.   Sadly there were only 8 bands competing this year.   I remember when there were over 20 bands.    The bands were good, but most of them used the same drummers and guitarists.    The winning band was “Ringer’s All Star Band” who sang “Never Without  You.”    The lead singer really does resemble Ringo Starr and he had his mannerisms down. 

Ringer with his All Star band

We were going to listen to Liverpool perform, but decided to go under the stairs and sing.  And so that is where I was from 9:30p.m. – 2:00a.m.,  under the stairs singing my heart out to Beatles and solo Beatles songs.    

Singing under the stairs:  have some fun tonight!

I had a great time!   It was wonderful to see so many of you who are readers of this blog.   I am a bit shy and I hope I didn’t come across as rude to anyone.     I hope some of you have found this blog from picking up one of my cards that I had lying around.   If so, then welcome to MTBRF!! 

Paul, Larry and Terri

Every time I have seen this photo, it has just been of Paul and Larry Kane.  I did not know that my favorite MC of Beatlefest, Terri Hemmert was also in the photo!   Why on earth someone would cut out on of the biggest fans of Paul that I know of is beyond me.   This was taken at the President Event in Washington D.C. in 2010.

John and Larry

John with reporter (and Beatles author) Larry Kane in Philadelphia during the Helping Hands marathon in 1975.

John Lennon WFIL

The Girls who got to Meet the Beatles (part 1)

This is an article from the 1965/66 Winter issue of Teen Datebook magazine. The part I am posting today was written by Katie McKinnon from Oak Creek, Wisconsin. She was 16 years old at the time.

(Chicago, Illinois): Neither Lynda nor I could believe that what we were experiencing was reality; it is so easy to become confused when a dream comes true. But with our DB letter of authorization we had been admitted into the Beatles' Chicago suite, and were nervously awaiting their entrance. Five assorted reported waited in the room with us, for we had all been granted private interviews by the Beatles' road manager because we represented magazines. The others were old and seasoned, which made us doubly nervous.

And then it happened. They entered and casually slouched into four lounge-chairs facing us. Ringo was smoking a cigarette and looked morose and withdrawn; Paul was the only one dressed formally (in a grey suit) and seemed very bright, happy; John was equally cheerful and carried a coke; George looked rather disinterested.

Almost immediately John noticed Lynda and me, and he offered us a sip of his Coke which we accepted and found to be scotch and coke mixed.

Then Paul saw us and moved his chair next to mine. When a reporter asked him what he was doing he answered, "Must meet the girls, you know, It's them that keep us running." All through the interview he kept stroking my hair which is very long (26 inches). And whenever I asked a question he'd touch my hand while answering which I found to be a very sweet habit.

John warmed to my friend Lynda who is quite insane and they were soon in a laughing fit and kept turning every reporter's question into an opportunity to go either hysterical or caustic together. I had really expected John to be unfriendly towards us, so I was surprised. But then Lynda does have a way with people (especially men), and I was content to sit quietly with Paul who is my favourite anyway.

The first reporter to ask a question picked a silly one: what color toothpaste did they use. Ringo answered that he never touched the stuff.

A woman asked John how his father was; John (cynically) "Pregnant for all I know. Stop probing my private affairs. How's your father?" The same woman asked him if he'd had an unhappy childhood. He said, "No, on the contrary it was quite pleasant. Too short perhaps. That 's if it's all the same to you, that is."

A man asked Ringo how he felt about religion, "Well I don't know. I'm not atheist, that's true. I believe in something that is. See I'm not the godless sort, but neither am I saintish."

John broke in: "You can't say there' s nothing up there because you don't know. Atheists are as bad as those righteous types, the lot. But if I had visions I'd take up churching."

Paul spoke, "You know, I believe in the supernatural. You see, I've got hung-up on seances and the Tarot, though I'd never go grave-robbing, I guess."

George said, "It's the spirit of the thing."

Someone asked if they get along together, "Yeah," George said, "sometimes I take to kicking Ringo down the stairways. I've got a violent temper, don't I Ringo?"

Ringo: "I've got the scars to prove it, honest."

Everyone looked incredulous so Paul said, "One time we were at a coffee-bar and George asked for tea. Of course they hadn't any, so George began throwing things about right and left, round-about and everywhere. They called in the coppers on us."

"Really? A man asked. "What then?"

"Nothing. We blamed it all on Ringo. It's his passonate nature you see. Always causing things."

"How do you like the money?" was put to Paul. He answered, "When it comes right down to it money matters a great deal. I mean without it, things wouldn't be quite so pleasant. It's the popularity that disagrees with me. The papers and the fans can't leave you alone at all. Some of them keep permanent vigils at our homes. During last year's vacation we were upset with all though long-rane lenses taking photos. Then again the police often either keep us locked in our rooms or go to the other extreme and threw us, practiacally to the mob."


"Oh they're bloodthirsty, the lot" John agreed with a wild look.

While someone asked John a question, I asked Paul if he was engaged to Jane Asher. He said very softly "An assistant of ours announced it. Yes, I am." I told him that I saw Jane's movie and that I thought she seemed to be a nice type. "You're true at least, " he said. "That's a gear ring you've got. You've a boyfriend?"

I explained that the ring cost 47 cents and I'd bought it myself. Paul then said, "You're shy aren't you? How did you come to be here?" I showed him my DB letter and card. He said he'd read a copy of DB and it was one of the better magazines printed. "So many I've seen print trash, you know, sensational garbage. You remind me of someone. Mo Starkey, I guess. What are you and the other doing after this?" I was very sad as I explained that I'd be leaving early because of the distance to my home in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. "It's a pity," he said, "we've needed someone to have a rave with."

I felt very philosophical as I usually do and asked him "Is it all worth it in the end?" Paul looked at me very closely and his eyes seemed sadder than Ringo's and he said, "No it isn't. I'd pack up today if I could, but it's gone too far for that. It really hasn't any sense left to it, and all the fun is missing now. All those bloody people, reporters, fans, they keep me from, well, I don't know. I s'pose I should be gratefull and all that is, but it doesn't seem to be worth it anymore. You meet the phonies and the pryers, the hip kids who think it's posh not to like you, the ones that treat you as a curiosity item and the not-so-nice exhibitionists who claim all manner of things - like they were once engaged to you or the like. So we're forced to limit our friends, to only trust a few, to sit about at home and all when we're wanting to go to a club or the like. I don't care for it at all."

I looked around. John was verging on hysterics with Lynda and they seemed to be making fun of a middle aged woman reporter who muddled all her questions: Ringo was patiently explaining his childhood to the rest, and George was staring off into space with a bored look, clinging to an empty drink glass. Behind me a man called to Paul to tell him what he'd been whispering about."

"Nothing you'd care to hear," Paul yelled back. "Dirty jokes."

John glanced my way and cooed to Lynda. "Lord, well will you have a look at that hair-do, luv, what talent." Then Paul turned me around to face him. I could only smile because I was beginning to understand. Their road manager entered the room then and passed around Cokes.

Ringo walked up to me and asked me the way to Picadilly Circus. "Which is longer," I asked him, "a mile or an hour?" He laughed and said, "It must be hard, I mean, being so wise." We both laughed, Paul too, and Ringo laughed so hard he spit out his Coke.

George walked up then and gave a knowing look and said, "Ringo you shouldn't take to doing things of that sort, it can get to be an addiction. At least a target of some sort would be in order." Ringo threw the Coke at George.

Then their road manager re-entered and said that the Beatles had to leave to get to another appointment. Paul walked me out as far as he could. He said a very gentle goodbye and held my hands as he did.

"It was this: "Good bye Kathie. I hope I meet you again soon cause it's great to meet any of my friend ever. I wish I could have met you more. Tell your magazine I wish them lucky times and all that. Stay shy, and you won't get into the trouble I am. Think of me a bit, and if you ever come to London leave your name off at Jennie's and we shall come to see you." He scribbled an address of Jane Asher's on my notebook, kissed me on the cheek and left.

Lynda came out laughing madly. We went with the police to Lynda's car to drive home. Lynda kept telling me all of John's little funny remarks all the way back. She had autographs too.

I've begun to consider the Beatles as people now, not stars or supermen, only very friendly and in some cases very mis-understood by press and fans.

One other thing. When I arrived at the interview I had a black ribbon in my hair; afterwards I discovered it was gone. Maybe I lost it in the excitement. But I hope not because I like to think that maybe Paul has it. And I like to think that we shall be friends.