Philadelphia Fans

 September 2, 1964 - Philadelphia

On the bus to Philadelphia

 

August 16, 1966

Frampton Comes Alive

 May 12, 1976 - Philadelphia 

John signed for Karla

This story is from the April/May 1976 issue of the Write Thing and was written by Karla Wambold


That Monday morning when I first turned on the radio, I thought Iw as hearing things.  WFIL radio in Philly said that their Helping Hands Marathon has been scheduled for that weekend May 16-18 and their special guest was John Lennon!!

I got to WFIL that Friday at about 1pm to a crowd of about nine other people.  We were all nervous about meeting John.  this would be the first time any of us had met any of the ex-Beatles.  2pm arrived and so did John!  The television part of WFIL was taping his arrival for the news.

During the taping, John embarrassed the hell out of me.  See I was wearing a Beatles t-shirt and I asked John to sign it.  He said to me, "Where am I?  Oh, there I am!"  Then he pokes me in the chest.  After John autographed my shirt he said, "I'm signing her boobs!"  I nearly died!  (and it was even more embarrassing when they showed the entire thing on TV).

After a few minutes, John went inside the studio, stayed there for about half an hour, came out again and left to go back to the hotel he was staying at.  But before he left he stopped to sign a few more autographs.  He came back about 4pm and he came out periodically to sign autographs and the usual before he went back to his hotel about 9 (the crowd had grown to a few hundred by the way).

The 2nd day when John came out he surprised me.  He remembered me -- which I didn't expect  More people were there then and poor John got writers' cramp within five minutes.  Everyone must have brought about one-fourth of their collection for him to sign.

About noon -- when John came out for a third time that day, the days of Beatlemania returned.  This one girl got overly excited and her excitement spread quickly through the rest of the crowd and john had to hurry back inside.  That was the first time the entire weekend the studio's guards and the Philadelphia cops actually worked.

about 11:45 Sunday night, the deejays dedicated the song "When Will I See You Again" to John and I almost cried.  John was so very nice and well, I can't really describe how nice he really was.  As for the marathon, WFIL raised between $114,000 and $115000.  Most of which were donated by Beatle fans on John's behalf.  After that weekend all  I could say is that I have a special place in my heart for John.  And I'm glad I had those few moments to spend with a great man like him.  Thank you, John, for everything!

Philly welcomes George with brotherly love

The city of brotherly love

We love you Beatles!

WFIL Helping Hands Marathon with Special Guest Star John Lennon

I just can't get enough of the stories from the fans that met or saw John Lennon in 1975 at the Helping Hand marathon.    This story comes from issue 10 year 2 of The Mess and was written by Rosemary Tully .

Photo by Rosemary

Every year, one of the local radio stations in Philadelphia, WFIL holds the "Helping Hands Marathon."  It raises money for 23 different charities in Philadelphia.  Several personalities usually come to help out.

This year someone from WFIL management decided to ask John Lennon to help.  He went to New York, had dinner with John and talked it over.  John agreed. 

A friend of mine who works at WFIL told me about John's upcoming appearance.  I got really excited and asked if there were any way I could get in.  He said sure if I would like to help out and answer phones.  Of course, I agreed.   I also got my best friend, Cindy, in.   She nearly died when I told her!

The marathon took place on the weekend of May 16, 17 and 18.  We found out two weeks in advance.  The longest two weeks I ever spent.

The Tuesday before the marathon, I managed to sprain my ankle.  The doctor and my parents didn't want me to go to the weekend.  I refused.   We had a big argument and it turned out we both won.  I would only be allowed to go if I wore crutches.  I thought that would be the end!  Everyone would stare at me, plus I'd feel like an idiot! (They did, I did.)

Friday finally arrived and so did we.  We went into the wrong end of the radio station and with a little help from a guard, we found our way to the loading dock where the marathon took place. 

We were told to fill in the tables in the back where nothing could be seen!  that is where the crutches really came in handy.  Cindy and I were allowed to sit up front, in perfect view of John and the rest of the crowd.

At 3pm, things got underway.  Phones started ringing, people started out materials (sic) and heads started spinning.  I'm not sure why, but John was late.  Word got round that he'd arrive about 4pm.  So we all kept our minds on work.

At a quarter to 4, there was a slight rumble towards the back entrance, everyone turning around and there he was, John Lennon.   He was being mobbed right and left.  Cindy got up and went to get some autographs.  And he made his way toward the front, I flagged him down and asked him to sign my shirt (a Beatles shirt, of course!)  He didn't say anything, just started signing.  I couldn't believe it!  John Lennon!  On my back!  I was truly on Cloud 9.  Then I started to take some pictures.  The girl across the table from me just kept saying, "I can't believe it."

Soon John had to leave to broadcast over the radio.  He was telling everyone to send in their pledge.  We all went back to work.

Every hour, John would come down for about 15 minutes.  He posed for the T.V. cameras, talked to some people on the phone and took pledges from the crowd.  Outside he autographed everything from posters to album covers, sneakers to shirts, and books and arms.

Other celebrities like Yoko Ono Lennon, Neil Sedaka, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, and Flip Wilson called in or stopped by (Paul and Yoko only called).


To raise extra money, auctions were started.  John auctioned off his stars and stripes, red white and blue socks for $50.  Later, he auctioned another pair of red ones for $50 again.  I painted a poster of the Yellow SUbmarine and characters for the auction.  John was just supposed to sign his name but he wrote, "To Ro, Luv John Lennon."  Now it's on my ceiling.

The rest of the weekend went along fantastic.  John was so great about everything.  He really went crazy on the phone.  "Hi this is John Lennon, send in your money" was one of his calmer remarks.  It was all fantastic! 

Four months have passed since then and I still feel like I'm just waiting to see him.   That one little weekend seem to go so fast.  I still can't believe, I met John Lennon!

John's socks

How many rock stars take off their socks and auction them on the spot for charity?   John was one of a kind. 

Showing brotherly love

Sorry this photo is so dark -- I actually lightened it up quite a bit. 

The Wibbage Welcome

Welcome the Beatles!

John's helping hand

Closer--let me whisper in your ear....

In Philadelphia, PA

Philly fan recall the show

I took this photo somewhere off the Internet from a fan that stated that this was her on the way to the Beatles Philadelphia concert in 1966.  I had full intentions of emailing and asking to use the photo and , well---I lost the contact information.  So if this is you or if you know this adorable Beatles fan, please let me know so you can get proper credit.

I was at The Beatles 1966 concert in Philly . My dear Aunt Elenore  from Roslyn, Pa and her daughter Andy took me there.  I was visiting them from Lorain, Ohio. It was wonderful I was 12 years old and am now 61 and it has been a highlight of my life!!!  Lost my orange ticket years ago when I went to frame it, it was gone. I cried. I wouldn't sell it for a million dollars. Don't know what happened . I had it all these years in an album. We left the concert when Paul announced this was there last song because of a storm coming in. The rain going home was so bad we had to pull over. I have always loved my Beatles and still do. A fan forever - Diane

It was a hot August day.  Lightening was flashing throughout their performance and as soon as the Beatles had left the stage, the sky opened up and it rained down! -  Bob

I was at the concert as a 13 year old. My best friend's dad purchased the $5 tickets so we could see them. We stood up against the fence and were able to see them as they left the stadium. – Christine

We arrived early in the evening and, after snapping up a few souvenirs — a copy of the latest edition of the Beatles (U.S.A.) Ltd. fanzine; a portfolio of photos of the group taken a year or two earlier — and pocketing our precious stubs, excitedly stepped inside.   I was surprised, and frankly a little ticked, that all the seating was at one end of JFK, at best maybe a third of capacity.    In the stadium, we anxiously hunkered down for the long wait. Pop concerts in those days were like revues, with numerous acts preceding the headliners. In ’66, the opening acts were the Ronettes girl group, garage-rockers the Remains, the Cyrkle (also managed, like the Beatles, by Brian Epstein) of “Red Rubber Ball” fame, and R&B singer Bobby Hebb (“Sunny”).    And then there they were. In a blast of light like a pop-art explosion they appeared, waving and hoisting their instruments, just as I'd seen in clips and movies scores of times.  I clearly remember George Harrison's '60s fashion faux pas, white socks, as well as Paul McCartney's signature Hofner violin bass and of course the most famous bass drum skin in history. They opened with some Chuck Berry ("Rock and Roll Music") and closed with a Little Richard rocker ("Long Tall Sally"), repaying their debt to America's rock 'n' roll forefathers, but the music in between showed how far they had taken rock since those early days. For example, “Yesterday.” I’d never have thought that would be on the set list. I was also surprised to hear the recent hit “Paperback Writer” live, given the record’s advanced production techniques. John and Paul handled most lead vocals, as always, with George stepping to the mic for "If I Needed Someone" and Ringo Starr doing "I Wanna Be Your Man."   Despite the screaming, the sound was clear enough, which was the positive correlative to the low turnout, and though they were farther away than I'd have liked, I understood the security concerns. And then they were gone.  -  Tony  

I was 16 at the time and as excited as could be, for I had gotten a ticket for the temporary seating on the field!  This was the closest seating available, and I assumed I would be within Instamatic range of the stage.  I arranged to meet a friend on the train that would take us to the center of the city, where we would then take the subway to the stadium.   This was to be an outdoor concert, and the sky looked like rain.    At the stadium, I bought a concert program and settled into my seat.  Two of the opening acts, Bobby Hebb and the Cyrkle, were very impressive.   During one section of the Cyrkle’s performance, they did a perfect copy version of some of the big records of the day.  I was amazed how much they sounded like the Beach Boys and the Four Seasons.    Once the Beatles came on, all hell broke loose.  The entire audience stood for the whole set.  I remember sitting down for a moment to tie my show and the soundproofing caused by the standing crowd completely shut out the sound of the Beatles.    After the Beatles performed “Rain,” our worst fears came true.  It started to drizzle, and the concert was brought to a close.  Although it seemed at the time that the show was cut short, based on what I have learned since, the show most likely was no shorter than any other.  The postscript to the story is the craziest part of all.  I kept the concert program in my room for several years.  In 1972, when I was moving out of my parents’ house, I came across the program and decided I didn’t need it anymore and promptly threw it out.   After I became a collector and found that the 1966 program was the hardest to come by, I repeatedly kicked myself.  Finally, in 1985, I secured a good copy at a reasonable price.  How I wish I had foresight! -- Carl

Philly in Black and white

Philadelphia Fans Enthusiastic:  20,000 cheer the Beatles at Stadium

UPI

Reading Eagle

August 17, 1966

Beatle John Lennon’s remarks about Christianity and his subsequent apology apparently haven’t dampened the enthusiasm of the quartet’s fans, their cheers indicated last night.

And a sampling of fans, most of whom said they weren’t offended by this first remarks stood up for his right to speak his mind about the popularity of Christianity and rock n roll music.

“The church isn’t doing its job—that’s what he meant when he said it,” said Denise Savelli, 14, a Philadelphia High School student.  “If the church was doing its job, rock n roll wouldn’t be more popular than religion.”

She was one of the 20,844 persons at John F. Kennedy Stadium last night to see the long-haired foursome.  

Janet Young, 13, of Abington PA said, “He didn’t offend me, although his remarks were offensive to Christianity.  He has the right to say what he wants to say, but he shouldn’t have said it. “Asked if she was still a Beatles fan, replied, “You bet!”

“If he had said it before I bought the tickets, I wouldn’t have come,” said 13 year old Margaret Schwakoff of Clifton Heights.  Why didn’t she stay home anyway?  “Well,” she said, “when you get back to school, you want to tell your school-mates you did something this summer.”

Peter Manon, 17, of Springfield, who will attend college this fall, said he was glad Lennon made the remarks.  

As Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney began their act, it was obvious this was not a normal Beatles crowd.  It was orderly.      The fans only screamed when the Beatles broke into one of their tunes and then settled down to the point where the twang of the electric guitars could clearly be heard.

When the concert was over, the fans calmly left the stadium without attempting to storm the steel barricades between the stands and temporary stage, about 125 feet away.

And a check with the first aid room, showed just how unusual a Beatle crowd this was.  “Only two girls fainted,” said a nurse. 

Beatles in Philly in color

Bus ride to the show

Chilling out