Looking forward to 2021!

 Hello Beatle fans!

Usually, on New Year's Eve, I take a look back on things from the past year and comment on them.   I am not really in the mood to do that this year.   There really isn't a whole lot to comment on for 2020.   There were a few good things Beatles wise that went on:  the Yellow Submarine sing-a-long, 2 Beatlefest (virtually), the Meet the Beatles in India film, Ringo's virtual birthday party,  several great solo Beatles box sets (Flaming Pie, Gimmie Some Truth, Plastic Ono Band), an amazing new song from Ringo and a new album from Paul.       It still isn't a great list, but it is better than nothing.

I am looking forward to 2021.   I hope that things are able to open up again and we are back to getting together to see one another.   I miss spending time with my fellow Beatle fans more than anything else.   We know that 2021 is going to bring us the new Get Back film and I know all of us are super excited about that!   I hear that we are also going to get Let it Be (the film) on DVD/Bluray.   I won't believe it until I have it in my hand though because we've been tricked way too many times before.   As of right now, Ringo is still scheduled to tour in the summer of 2021.   I was supposed to go to Liverpool/London/Paris in 2020 and so I have a postponed trip waiting for me that I hope to still be able to do.   Things are still really up in the air, but if nothing else -- 2021 has a little more hope in it than there was in 2020. 

Lastly, I want to thank each of you for visiting this site.   I know that it helped me during the pandemic to keep up with my schedule and keep finding new and rare stories and photos to share with all of you.  The Beatles' music and their pictures and stories have always helped me in hard times and I know that I needed that during 2020 more than ever.    I hoped that the things I posted here this past year brought you a little bit of happiness as well.   I hope you had that little spark of joy that you feel when you see a photo of The Beatles you have never seen before or read a new little tidbit of information you didn't know.    I know that I cannot do much from my little house in southern Illinois to help the world, but keeping this site going is one small thing that I CAN do.  

Anyroad --  have a wonderful weekend and New Year's Eve.   And let's all look forward to 2021. 

Peace and Love

Sara S. (Starshyne) 

Wishing you all a happy new year!

Another year over and a new one just begun....     I had a very nice 2017 mostly because I was able to do a lot of traveling.    In one year's time I went to:   New Jersey,  Chicago, Arkansas, Iowa, Las Vegas, Liverpool, London, and all of the Netherlands.     And I would say that all of that was for Beatles reasons in one way or another.      I don't think I can afford another year like that, but I hope that Paul tours again this summer so I can go at least one place to see him. 

I want to thank each and every one of you that visit this site.   I know some of you visit daily and others weekly or monthly or just whenever you remember.   I thank you all for sticking with me and my silly little Beatles blog.     I want to thank those of you who have been understanding that I am not perfect.   I am going to misspell names and get dates wrong.   I am going to have typing mistakes and computer errors.     Thank you for knowing that I try my best to bring you different Beatles information.   I mostly keep this site going because I think it is fun.   I hope that you do too.


Who knows what 2018 will bring?    I guess we know that it is bringing us a "Sir" Ringo, which is really, really cool.    I hope it's a good one.   Without any fear.

Being a John fan -- a 2nd generations fan view

I can't speak for any other Beatles fan out there, but for me personally, December 8 is always a sad day.    This year I tried to remember how John became my favorite Beatle and I thought I would share it with you all tonight.     I realize that being a 2nd generation fan makes my experience vastly different than most of you, so you might find it interesting (or maybe not).


I first became a Beatles fan in 1988.   And like most people when they start to like the Beatles, I couldn't always tell the difference between the four guys in photos much less by the sounds of their singing voices.    I just knew that I really liked the music, and when you have the entire Beatles catalogue available to you -- it is a lot to take in at one time. 

One of the first books I ever purchased about the band was Beatlesongs by William Downing.   It is a pretty good book, especially for new fans because it broke down exactly who wrote what Beatles song, who sang on each song, who played what instrument, etc etc.      So I had this book and I really loved it.    I decided to write down a list of my 10 favorite Beatles songs and then read about the information on those songs.   I wish I still had the notebook with those songs written in them, but I do remember songs included  "All you need is love,"   "A Day in the Life"   "Strawberry Fields Forever,"  "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,"    "Help!" and "Lovely Rita."    Out of the 10 songs I wrote down, 9 of them were Lennon songs.        That actually surprised me, and made me want to find out a little more about the "Lennon" in this Lennon-McCartney partnership.   


I remember looking at some of the photos I had and it was very obvious to me that Paul was "cute" but John was handsome.    John had a physical look that I liked, even at 13 years old. 

My next step was to read a book about John Lennon.    By this time it was about 1990 and the book that I found on the discount table was the hardback version of  The Lives of John Lennon  by Albert Goldman.    I was so far removed from Beatles news and had no idea that there was an entire group of people out there in the world that wrote about the Beatles regularly and had strong opinions about things.   So I didn't know that I was supposed to hate this book.    I didn't know that it was not considered a good book and that droves of fans were protesting it.   I just knew that it was on the discount table at BDalton at the mall and I had enough babysitting money to buy it.     It was the biggest book I had ever read and if liking music from the 1960's, having thick glasses and being shy didn't make me the target of bullies -- then carrying around an extremely thick book and reading it all the time sure sealed the deal.   

But you know what?    After I read this book, I was totally in love with John Lennon.      I don't know what exactly I read that effected me, because I have never re-read the book.     However, after I was finished I knew that John was my favorite Beatle.    I knew that John was always going to be my favorite. 

That leads us to how I found out about what happened on December 8, 1980.    I found out 10 years after the fact by reading the Albert Goldman book.    I knew that John Lennon was no longer alive before I read the book.    But I guess I just assumed that John, like so many other rock stars of the 60's died of drug complications in the late 1970's.    So when I first learned that he had been murdered and was 40 years old, I cried like it had just happened.    Because for me --- it DID just happen.   I had just discovered this complicated, intelligent, handsome man and to learn that he died for absolutely no reason of his own was crushing to me.   

Being a John fan isn't always easy.   From the get-go I felt some pangs of jealousy that Paul, Ringo and at the time George fans could have a chance to see them in person or get a new album from their favorite.    While I will never have that opportunity to experience that excitement for my favorite Beatle.     It isn't easy defending John --- it gets old trying to explain why you still love someone that they say was a "women beater," or for some of the mean things he said in the Rolling Stone interview or for marrying Yoko.     But I always have felt some connection to John that I don't feel towards the other three.   I am proud to be a John Lennon fan and I continue to stand for giving peace a chance.

Miss you John....

Beatles fan club members wanted

Hello Beatle friends!

As you know, I wrote my first book, Happiness is Seeing the Beatles:  Beatlemania in St. Louis  last year and it was an amazing experience.    I had so much fun writing the book.

I decided to start in on a new book project that will take many years to complete.   It is a subject that is near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons--the Beatles fan clubs.  

My goal is to publish a two volume set of books covering the Beatles fan clubs in the UK and US.   It will be full color with beautiful photographs and stories while telling the story of the Beatles fan clubs.  

No one has ever really dug into the history of the Beatles fan clubs, and while I am sure it isn't a topic that is of interest to every fan, I think there is enough interest out there to warrant at least a limited edition book.

For this book to actually happen, I need help!    I am looking to talk to anyone that was involved in the Beatles fan club and has stories that he/she would like to share.    That would include:

• Fan club chapter presidents/presidents in the U.S.
• Fan club area secretaries for a state in the U.S.
• Fan club area secretaries in the U.K.
• Those that worked for the fan club as a job between 1962-1972
• Independent fan club presidents
• Anyone that met the Beatles due to involvement in the fan club. 
• Anyone that went to one of the Beatles fan club conventions in 1963 in England
• Anyone that attended the Magical Mystery Screening party in December 1967
• ????????

I also will need lots and lots of photographs of memorabilia.     Fan club membership cards, posters, newsletters, you name it!     

Won't you please please help me??   If you weren't involved in the original  fan club---please try to think if you know of someone that was and ask them for me.   

And before you ask---no I have not gotten in contact with Freda Kelly, but I am trying to.   If you know how I can best get in contact with her, please let me know.

Send those emails to beatlesbusch66@gmail.com    I have a list of questions for fans to fill out if they are interested, or they can just share their story on the phone or whatever is best of them.  

MTBFR 2017 Winter Contest!

Hello everyone!

If you joined me this afternoon for my live Facebook event, you will know that I announced the 2017 MTBFR winter contest.    For those of you that missed it, no big deal---I will tell you all about it in a few.

I quickly want to let you know that I am starting to run out of "Happiness is Seeing the Beatles:  Beatlemania in St. Louis" books.    I have about 100 books left and I am not getting them re-printed.  So if you want a book, go over to www.stlbeatles.com and order one.  

Next I wanted to let you know that I have contributed to a great book called "A is for Apple Volume 2"  It is a great series of books all about the Beatles Apple years.  It is in full color with a load of photographs and everything you will ever need to know about the Beatles at Apple.   If you are interested in pre-ordering the book go over to www.aisforapplebook.com.

Last commercial, I promise!   I will be at the Fest for Beatle Fans in New Jersey from March 3-5, 2017 with my book.   This is going to be my last big thing for the book and I will be speaking on several panels and giving a presentation.   If you are going to the at the Fest any of the day, PLEASE stop by and say hi!   I don't care if you have no interest in my book.   I get so bored just sitting there at these things and I would love to chat Beatles and say hi to anyone who is a blog viewer.  

Some of you have been wondering what the results were from the MTBFR survey from the beginning of the year.   Here are the results.    100 people participated in the survey.

1,  How long have you been visiting MTBFR-- most people have been coming here between 2-5 years!  Thank you for your loyalty!

4-5 years 31%
2-3 years 27%
6-7 years 17%
1 year 12%
under a year 7%
just started 6%


2.  What is your age range?  Looks like most visitors are 1st generation fans.   But 2nd generation fans aren't too far behind.

50-59:  34%
60-69:  24%
40-49   21%
30-39     9%
20-29     6%
13-19     5%
70 or older 1%  (Paul or Ringo---is that you???)


3.  How long have you been a Beatles fan?    Surprisingly,  the highest amount are people who became fans after the Beatles broke up followed closely by our 1964 first generation folks.

Since the 1970's:  26%
Since 1964:           21%
Since the 1980's    16%
Since the 2000's    10%
Since 1963 or earlier:  9%
Between 1965-1970:  8%
Since the 1990's        7%
I am a new fan           3%  (welcome!)


4.  What is your gender?  When I started this blog, I thought it would attracted more female fans because the topic of meeting the Beatles seemed to me to be something girls would be more interested in.  However, the male fans have rated higher than female consistently since day 1.


Male:  56%
Female:  44%


5.  In what country do you live?   No surprise that United States is the most.    But I think it is neat to see that fans from all around the globe come to MTBFR.   (2 people skipped this question)

United States:            62%
United Kingdom        8%
Germany                    4%
Canada                       3%
Spain                          3%
New Zealand              3%
Netherlands                 2%
Australia                     2%
Ukraine:                     2%
Mexico                       2%
Italy                            1%
Indonesia                    1%
Israel                           1%
Ireland                         1%
Finland                         1%
Brazil                            1%
Belgium                        1%
Austria                           1%

6.  Who is your favorite Beatle?  It was a tie!

John:                 29%
Paul                  29%
I don't have a favorite 24%
George;                   16%
Ringo                        2%  (sorry Ringo!  We still love you though!)


7.  Have you ever met a Beatle in person?   Most of us haven't.  (1 person skipped this question)

No:  77%
Yes:  22%

8.  Have you ever met someone connected with the Beatles in person (a wife, Pete Best, etc) (1 person skipped this question)    Most of us have.

Yes:  52%
No:   47%

9.  What is your favorite part of MTBFR?  (1 person skipped this question and you could answer any of the choices).    No surprise---most people like the photos!   They are great, aren't they?

Photos:  76%
Stories:  63%
Articles Sara has written:  19%
Comments form other fans:   19%
Wednesday Review:          15%


10 What is your least favorite part of MTBFR?( 2 people skipped this question and you could answer any of the choices).   Most of you say that you like it all!   Thank you so much.  You are so kind!

Nothing--I like it all:   88%
Comments from other fans:   6%
Stories:                                   4%
Photos:                                    2%
Wednesday Review:                2%
Articles Sara has written          2%



Now---finally---the contest.   I have two prizes I am giving away this time.   In order to be entered, you need to email me with the name of one of your favorite Beatles songs from 1967 to meetthebeatlesforreal@gmail.com by 5pm (Central time) Feb 26.    As always, everyone is welcome to enter, but only one entry per household please.   I will be using screen shots from the live facebook event to show you the prizes.  (so don't click on the arrow).  I will not email you back.   But I will assign you a number and use the random internet number generator to pick the two winners.   If you are a winner, you have THREE DAYS to contact me with your address or you forfeit the prize.  Good luck!

Prize #1:  A Beatles Abbey Road tumbler with straw.  

Prize #2  A set of playing cards with a photograph of John and Paul performing at Busch Stadium on the cards.

It was 20 years ago today (no really it was!)

How many of you know what you were doing 20 years ago at this very moment?   If you were a Beatles fan in 1995, then I know exactly what you were doing---the same thing I was doing:  watching the Beatles Anthology on A "Beatles" C.    We were anxious to hear the world premiere of "Free as a Bird."  

The advertisement for the Anthology really pushed for it to be watch by not just as serious fans, but by the casual fan as well.   I was 19 at the time and in college.   When I was in high school, just a few years earlier, being a Beatles fan was not considered "cool."    I was teased and picked on because I liked "hippie music."   Suddenly, with the Anthology on TV,  the people who used to think the Beatles were terrible were asking me questions about them.   For once (and maybe the only time), being a Beatle fan was considered cool.      I was a moderator on a popular Beatles chat room at that time and I remember the chat room being filled with people who were new fans.  Those who just discovered the Beatles and were wanting to know where to turn for more music and information.   It was an exciting time in my life as a Beatles fan.  

It was exciting to see the Anthology video on television and hear new interviews from George, Ringo and Paul (and to see what new place Paul was going to be interviewed...a campfire?  On a boat?  Where next?).  It was exciting to see the pristine footage of film that had never or rarely been seen before, especially the home movie footage.   And most of all it was exciting to hear Beatles music!   To hear "In Spite of all the Danger" on Anthology 1 for the first time left me awe struck.   Who would have through we'd ever been able to hear a Quarry Men recording?  

 

Did any of you actually see a Beatles Anthology advertisement on a bus?

 

Will Paul retire soon???

Things have been very quite around here, so I thought I would post something a little controversial to get people talking again. 

Over the past month I have been wondering if Paul McCartney is getting ready to "retire."   Now---I don't mean retire in the sense of just sitting around and not making music.   We know that Paul will never do that.   He just said so in Esquire magazine,

ESQ: You’ve never seriously contemplated retirement?

PM: Sit at home and watch telly? That’s what people do, man. Gardening, golf… no thanks. Occasionally, I do think, “You should have got fed up by now, you should be jaded.” My manager, who I don’t have any more, glad to say, suggested quite a long time ago that I retire at 50. He sort of said it’s not a good look. I went, “Oh, God, he could be right.” But then I still enjoy writing, I still enjoy singing. What am I gonna do? You see so many people who retire and then immediately expire.

He might not fully retire in the traditional since, but is he thinking about slowing down?    He currently does big world tours that are over 2 hours long with close to 40 songs.   He rarely stops to get a drink or water during that time.    How long can he keep this up?    We all know from our own lives that traveling alone is exhausting, and with Paul's "health scare" last year in Japan,  I can't help but question if he doesn't need to slow down some.   Now I am not saying quit performing.   But maybe do less appearances and shorter sets.     And I think that maybe Paul is thinking along those lines.   Now---let me point out that I am the person at Beatlefest in 1999 stood up and stated that I didn't think Paul would ever tour again, without Linda.  That he would only do concerts spots here and there but never a full tour and I was completely wrong and I was proven wrong when Paul started touring again in 2002.  

What makes me think that Paul might be slowing down?

John Hammel talks with a fan

1.  The rumor that John Hammel is retiring at the end of 2015.       John  Hammel has been working for Paul McCartney as his personal assistant since 1975.   He has been with Paul through a lot and has said that he would not retire unless Paul does.     Now it isn't clear if this story of John Hammel retiring is true or not at this point, but if it is true:  what does that mean?   Maybe that Paul is planning on not doing big world tours anymore?

2. Paul has been calling up his most devoted fans up on stage.  

There is nothing I like more than hearing about a fan that truly loves Paul McCartney getting pulled up on stage.    Typically Paul calls young, pretty  girls that want a tattoo up onto the stage.   Very, very few men have been called up over the years and very few first generation fans.    And yet over the past few weeks we have seen some of Paul's most devoted and biggest fans being called up on stage.   These are people that have been in the audience at 100's of shows, so why did Paul decide to call them up now?   And notice that two of them are guys?      Is it Paul's way of thanking them for being such big fans?  To show his appreciation for them being there all of these years?     I am pleased as can be for these fans and I am so glad that they were called up---but it makes me wonder.



Do I really think this is the end of the Paul McCartney world tour era?   I am not sure.   I hope it isn't.     Paul puts on the single best rock show out there.   However----if you have a chance to see him in the near future---don't pass it up.


So---I know all of you out there disagree with me....tell me why I am wrong.