10 Things you don't know about Apple Scruffs

If you have read this blog for awhile, you will know that I tend to focus on things in the Beatles fandom and that the topic of the Apple Scruffs has been near and dear to my heart.   Over the years I have read so many things about the Apple Scruffs that I knew were untrue.   I  have heard so many people claim to have been an Apple Scruff or people who claim that they knew someone was a member of the group.  And yet I knew that the number of people that could call themselves "Apple Scruffs" was very small.   I have read that they were groupies that slept with the Beatles.   And on and on.    Yet the girls have remained private and the rumors have gotten larger and larger.   So I really wanted to set the record straight.   With so much wrong information out there, it wasn't an easy task, but I attempted to write an article to debunk some of those myths. 

I want to say what I expressed on my facebook page for this blog.  And that is that I hope not to have offended or upset any of the true Apple Scruff members.   I really put a lot of time and thought into this article.   The things I wrote in the article are true as much as I know.   If nothing else I hope that people come away with the realization that 1.  Not everyone who hung around the Beatles in the 1960's was an Apple Scruff and 2.  The Apple Scruffs did not have sex with the Beatles.

On a personal note, this is the first thing I have ever written that wasn't for this blog.   So I want to thank Allison at Rebeat magazine for giving me the opportunity to write this article and publishing it for the online magazine.   When I was young, I had a dream of being a journalist and an author.    That dream fizzled out as I got older and I decided that I wanted to be a teacher.  However, there was always a small part of me that wanted to be a writer. 



http://www.rebeatmag.com/10-things-you-dont-know-bout-apple-scruffs/

Beatles at the Ridge -- Festival Review

On September 19-20, 2014 my  mom and I drove down to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas for a Beatles festival called "Beatles at the Ridge."    Those of you who follow this blog and know the history of the Beatles 1964 are familiar with the reason why Walnut Ridge, Arkansas is part of Beatles history as it was the Walnut Ridge airport that the Beatles stopped at in 1964 on their way to and from Reed Pigman's ranch.   It is really just a blip in Beatles history, but the town of Walnut Ridge has decided to make the most of their small Beatles connection for the sake of improving tourism to the region.  A large metal sculpture of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road can be found in the town as well as a cute shop called "Imagine" that sells Beatles items.   There is a 115-ft-long by 40-ft-wide guitar on the ground that is a replica of John Lennon's guitar in an area called the "Guitar Walk."    All of this is well worth seeing if you are in the area.   Once a year the town throws a big city-wide festival called "Beatles at the Ridge."

Beatles at the Ridge is not completely a Beatles convention.   It is very Beatles centered and there are a lot of Beatles activities and things going on, but it is also a carnival-type fest for the town.  There are booths and tents from area groups and organizations as well as activities that have nothing at all to do with the Fab 4 (such as a duck calling contest).

But if you are a Beatles fan (and I know that you are), there is plenty of Beatles fun.   My wonderful author-friend, Jude Southerland Kessler was the chair of the first ever Beatles author symposium at this festival.   She put together some of the BEST authors and speakers to talk about their books.   There also was a Beatles photo display that was extremely good, an art display by Enoch Doyle Jeeter who drew pictures for each of the songs on the Meet the Beatles album and a display called "Meet the Covers" which showed album covers that were parodies of Beatles album.   It was really fun to see!

When I arrived on Friday afternoon, the first thing I noticed was that the entire town of decked out in 1960's and Beatles theme.   Every store-front window had things like peace signs or cartoon Beatles in the windows.   There was a large cut out of the Yellow Submarine and the Cartoon Beatles and it made for a fun photo opportunity.   It was really festive and put us in the mood for the weekend!

My mom with the cartoon Beatles cut outs

After looking around for a bit and getting our bearings, we made our way into the author's room and found our friends.   Even though I had just seen everyone just a month earlier, it was great to see Chuck Gunderson, Lanea Staggs, Kit O'Tool, Jude and Rande Kessler and  Anthony Robustelli again!

My mom and I with Jude Southerland Kessler (I know I look terrible here!  I had been driving all day and just blah!)

On Friday night we heard a GREAT talk about the events of 1964 by Jude and Chuck.   This multi-media presentation was just amazing.   Both of these two authors are amazing speakers and they know their Beatles stuff!  We stuck around and listened to a band perform for awhile, but we were super tired and decided to try to get some sleep.

The Beatles statue looked REALLY cool at night!

On Saturday, we were up bright and early for a full day of Beatles fun.   At first we walked around outside and looked at the booths and venders.    We saw that Danny Donuts, who we recognize from all of our years going to the Chicago Fest for Beatle Fans (even though he doesn't know us) was running a fun children's section.   He had a bubble machine going and kids were jumping around to Beatles music.   He had a parade later in the day, but we missed that.   It looked like fun for the kids.

We had a full day of listening to the authors in the symposium because---well that is what I like to do.  But before that, we went back into the Imagine shop and talked to Carrie Mae Snapp, who as you might recall was the girl who's father took the photos of the Beatles at the Walnut Ridge airport and she touched George's elbow.   Well, she said to us, "do you want to see the pictures?" and she proceeded to pull out all of her photos from that day and tell the story to just my mom and I with more details than what I have heard before.   It was so great!  

Lanea Stagg did a brunch based on some of the recipes in her Recipe Records Cookbook that were really tasty.  I recommend "Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey bread."  Then we heard Kit O'Tool give two talks--one about the Abbey Road medley and another about the top Beatles sounds.   Both of these were really fascinating and help me listen to Beatles music that I  have heard forever in a new way.   We also heard Anthony Robustelli's presentation where he stripped down Beatles music so that you just heard the harmonies or just the guitar.   It was really some amazing stuff.  If you like that sort of thing, I highly recommend listening to Anthony's radio program on Beatles a rama radio online on Sunday nights.

Then for something silly---we needed to eat, right?  So mom and I went to a local diner that was serving Beatle burgers and Onion Ring-o's.    We were laughing about that through the entire meal.

We came back to the site and got ready for the concert by Liverpool Legends (Louise Harrison's Beatles tribute band from Branson).   But before that we had to listen to this country band that was really boring.   I think they were called Rockabilly.   I do not like country music.  At all.    I especially do not like country music about food.   Yeah...these guys were tolerable for the first 20 minutes but then they went on and on.  And they didn't even sing one single Beatles song or even Carl Perkins or someone like that.   I was so bored!

Finally Liverpool Legends came on.  They sounded great.   As I have said before on this blog, I am not a big fan of Beatles tribute bands who like to act like they are really the Beatles.   The whole dressing up in costumes  with wigs and saying things like "this is a song from our first movie...."  it just irritates me.   So I disliked these guys trying to look and act like them, because let's face it---none of these tribute bands are guys in their 20's.  They are not the Beatles.   But I really enjoyed the music.  They sounded really good and I was there to have a good time and enjoy some Beatles music.  I do have to admit, the last costume the "George" guy wore was great!  

Check this out!  George totally wore an outfit just like that!

Next year is set to be even better than this years festival and there is hope for more Beatle fans to travel to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas  for this event.    So make plans now to be there!   Here are some tips for you if you plan to go---

1.  This is a FREE event.   People were asking how much it cost and the answer is nothing! 

2.   Bring a lawn chair with you if you plan on staying for the concerts.  

3.   Walnut Ridge is located in a dry county.   Yeah....that is a real thing in the United States in 2014.  There are places were you cannot buy alcohol and this is one of them.   So plan accordingly (whatever that means to you).

4.  There are not really any hotels in Walnut Ridge.  The closest town with hotels is Jonesboro, Arkansas.  I stayed at a place called the Fairview inn and suits.   It was cheap and clean, but old and little run down.  

Thank you and contest winner

Wow!  What a great month of Beatles photos and stories!   It has been so much fun for me to bring all of you the stories and photos of the Beatles 1964 North American tour on a daily basis.   It was hard work to keep up with it, but it was well worth my time and effort.    I hope you all enjoyed it and you learned a thing or two about this tour.  I know that I sure did. 

I want to send a special thank you to:  Chuck Gunderson for the information he has supplied in his book, Some Fun Tonight as well as helping me with a few photo questions, Mark Naboshek for the information on the Dallas Show, Ivor Davis for his book, the Beatles and me on tour, Dee Ellis for the story she had about the Cleveland Show in her book, Confessions of a Beatlemaniac,    Pat Simmons for allowing me to reproduce the story about Cleveland that originally appeared in With a Little Help from my Friends, Ted Rozumalski for allowing me to share the photos from the New Orleans show that his father took and all of you who sent me encouraging messages and emails throughout the month.    I truly appreciated the big show of support as we traveled along with the Beatles 50 years later.

I plan on doing the same thing next year with the 1965 North American tour and I am starting to collect photos and stories to share.   So---if you saw the Beatles in 1965 (anywhere in the world really) please write something about it to share on the blog!   

Also just a reminder that I personally am looking to speak with anyone who saw the Beatles at Busch Stadium in 1966, George Harrison at the St. Louis Arena in 1974, or Paul McCartney at Busch Stadium at 1993. 

If you have a story to tell, please email me at Starshyne9@yahoo.com


Now the moment you all have been waiting for!  The winner of the Beatlemania contest!    There were 38 contestants this time around, which I think is pretty good!   The record for a contest I have held is 43 people and so this contest was second place.     The winner needs to contact me through email with his or her address

And the winner is--------

Number 032!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!! You are the Beatlemaniac winner.    :)  

Peace and Love,
Sara

Thank you!

 

I want to thank everyone who has written to me through comments and on facebook that supports me and this blog.  Your support really  means a lot to me and I cannot express how much your messages touched me. 

You know, I do this blog because I want a place to keep the stories and photos of the fans.   I started the blog for myself and I continue to do things the way I like them to be done.  That being said, it really is an honor that MTBFR has become part of so many of your daily routines.  

As for the accusations that I am liar, I am not sure what to say.   I am never purposely a liar.  I work hard to find the correct information to post.  I admit that some nights I am lazy and I do not put as much effort in finding out things as I do on other nights.   I also know that there is a lot of false information about the Beatles out in the world.    I am thankful for friend of this blog, Mark Lewisohn's work in getting the true Beatles history in print.   But I am not Mark Lewisohn---far far from it.   I try my best and I might get some wrong information out.  But I promise that my intentions are pure.   One thing I love about the internet and this blog is that we can work together as Beatle fans to find the correct information.   Alone I am not a Beatles expert, but with all of you working with me---this blog has turned into a goldmine of correct Beatles information.    I am proud of it and I thank all of you who have been positive and helpful along the way.

I am not sure why I seem to have made some enemies except that they must be jealous in one way or another.     The arguments that they make do not make a lot of sense to me and when I try to understand them, I end up being called "rude" and "immature" and other things, so I am done trying to understand.    I do admit that I have been not so nice to some people online a few times.   I get frustrated and irritated and while I never curse and try to stay calm, it isn't always easy to do.  I apologize for that. 

But at the end of the day we are all Beatle fans, right?   Shouldn't we be sticking together?    We are a special group of people and we should not be divided.   We can disagree on things, but at the end of the day we love John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Peace and Love,

Sara S.

The Fest for Beatle fans Chicago 2014 -- Sara's Review

 

2014 marked my personal 20th anniversary of Beatlefest conventions in Chicago.   I went to my very first Fest in 1994, when I was 17 years old.   The summer before, I had attended the Illinois Teenager Institute in Bloomington, Illinois.  ITI was sort of like a camp for kids who didn't do drugs and were positive peer leaders in their high schools (yes...I was one of those kids).   I was wearing one of my Beatles t-shirts there and an adult counselor stopped me and asked if I had ever gone to Beatlefest.  Beatlefest??  What is that??   He told me that it was awesome and I had to go. He said to call 1-800-BEATLES and order a catalog.    I have no idea who that man was, but I am so thankful that he told me about the Fest.   In pre-"everyone has the internet" days, you had to hear about things like this through word of mouth.  

And so the next summer, right before I went off to college, I begged my mom to take me to Beatlefest.   And 20 years ago, I had no idea that I would one day know so many Beatle authors and be a speak on two panels myself.    

If I was going to give a name to this year's Fest, I would call it "the Fest for Beatle Friends."   I spent so much of my time chatting with Beatle friends both old and new from all around the world.   From friends that I have met many years ago to people I just started chatting with while waiting in line to get into an event, I had such a great time enjoying the company of fellow Beatle fans.    

Due to the negativity going on in the Beatles community, especially on tumblr, and some not so nice comments I had been receiving, I had lost a lot of faith in Beatle fans.   I was scared that this fandom was going in a direction that I did not like at all.  However, Beatlefest has renewed my faith in all of you.   I am sorry for ever doubting that Beatle fans are some of the best people in the world.   I am sorry that I allowed a few bad "apples" (yes that is a pun) to ruin my attitude. 

As always, my mom and I had a great time at the Fest for Beatle fans.   We went into the event knowing that it was going to be fun and we weren't going to allow changes in the layout of the hotel, or the attitude of a few negative people stop us from enjoying ourselves.    Unfortunately, since my school started bright and early Monday morning, we had to leave at 4:00pm on Sunday, missing out on about 8 hours worth of Beatles fun.   But we made the best out of the time we had there.



On Friday we got our wristbands and went into the main ballroom and listened to the introduction of the authors.   Of course most of the authors are friends of mine, which made me really happy to see them all up on stage talking about their books.  Afterward we took some time to check out the art contest, Beatles museum, record room, market place and all of the other artists that was showcasing their work (Eric Cash's things are amazing!).    Then it was an evening of listen to various people talk about my favorite thing to talk about--the Beatles!   The surprise guest of the fest was Dee Ellis. Dee has a new book called Confessions of a Beatlemaniac that retells her life in 1964-1966 including when she met three of the Beatles in a Cleveland hotel in 1966.   I will be reviewing her book very soon.   She has such enthusiasm and is so animated when she talks, that you feel like you are right there with her when she is telling her story.   Dee is a sweet woman and I am so glad that I met her!   I also listened to Ringo's former finance, Nancy Andrews talk and show some of the photos from her new Ringo Starr photograph book.  Nancy is so kind that is is just no shock to me that Ringo fell in love with her.    The last thing I did on Friday night was listen to several people talk about the Beatles 1964 summer tour.   Great discussions!

Nancy Andrews talk about the photos she took of Ringo Starr

Wally Podrazik leads a discussion on the 1964 Beatles tour with Ivor Davis, Al Sussman, Chuck Gunderson and Bruce Spizer

Saturday was a super busy day and I didn't want to miss anything!    I was once again honored to take part in the "She's a Woman--historian" panel where we discussed the legacy of the Beatles.   Big wigs in the Beatles world such as Mark Lewisohn and Bruce Spizer came to this panel discussion.   I was pretty nervous up there with those guys in the crowd, but it went really well.   Another highlight from Saturday was hearing Wally Podrazik interview Mark Lewisohn.   I found it to be a great interview and I just love hearing Mark talk about the Beatles!    I did a lot of shopping, chatting, and enjoying Beatles music. I personally did not care for the musical guests this year.   I do not like the Monkees, but my mom does and so we listened to Peter Noone and Mickey (I think that is who it was) form the Monkees sing and they were both very good.    I spent the end of Saturday with the "people under the stairs" singing Beatles songs.  One of these days I am going to find out who these folks are.  I see them each and every summer and recognize them, and yet I do not know them.

Women's historians:   Tina Kukla, Allison Boron, Susan Ryan, me, Kit O'Tool and Karen Duchaj

Mark is finally getting a good interview by Wally

As I said, I had to leave early on Sunday, so I wasn't able to do everything I wanted to do. First I was able to hear my dear friend, Jude Southerland Kessler's presentation on the Beatles and John Lennon in 1964.   She is such an amazing speaker!!    I made sure not to miss the puppet show!   I do not think I have missed a Beatles puppet show since Bob Abdou started putting them on.   If you go to a Beatlefest,  I really encourage you to see the puppet show.   It is good fun.   Then I was on my 2nd panel which was about the Beatles in the Cyberworld.    I was excited about this panel because it gave me a chance to talk about this blog and tell some of the stories.   I hope I didn't monopolize the discussion too much.   It is really intimidating to be on a panel with Beatles authors and I just have a blog.   But....I really loved doing it.   

Bob Abdou with his Beatle baby puppet

Professor "moptop", Richard Buskin, Rob Rodriguez, Kit O'Tool, me and Lana Stagg talk about the Beatles online

I am so glad that I was able to attend the fest this year and I encourage all of you out on the west coat to check out the Fest in L.A. in October! 

Hear me on the radio tomorrow!

I realize that this is a bit of short notice, but I have been super busy, as you all know.    I wanted all of you to know that I am going be on the radio tomorrow at 3pm (central time) and it is going to be a live broadcast with call in questions!   Lanea Stagg of Recipe Records is going to be interviewing me for her blogtalk radio podcast. 

I will be talking about this blog and telling some of my favorite stories that have appeared on it.   If you miss the live broadcast, it will be saved and you can listen to it later.     

Here is a link about the information and how you can listen!   Lanea really makes me sound like someone super special!   


http://rockblocks3.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-sara-schmidt-real-school-teacher.html


I gotta run---it is the opening night of the musical and I need to be there in 15 minutes!  Ahhhh!  Where did the time go?

What way to make a livin'

As I have mentioned before, I am in a play this summer and we have came to the time where I have dress rehearsals and performances for the next few weeks.   It will be in my best interest to take a break from the blog for a short time and focus on the play.  I might update things if I can, but I am not making any promises.

The play I am in is "9 to 5:  The Musical."    I am not a fan of country music at all, but there is something about Dolly Parton that I like.   She is a very talented song writer and I really do like the songs from this musical.    I am playing the part of "Kathy" who is one of the secretaries that work with the 3 main characters.   It is a smaller part, but it is  larger small part if you can follow that.   I have lines and I get to sing and dance.   If you live in the St. Louis, MO area and are interested in seeing "9 to 5" here is the link to order tickets and to get more information.  http://www.altonlittletheater.org/?page_id=203

One geeky thing that I enjoy about this play is that it takes place in 1979, and so every night I get to "go back in time" to that year.   John is still alive as and I get to wear oversized glasses and polyester.  It is just a fun time period.  

Anyhow----I will return soon.  I just hear from so many people who check this blog every day and I do not want anyone to think that I am closing down shop.

Peace and Love
Sara S (aka Starshyne)

Happy Birthday Paul

I know, I know....I should have posted this sooner.     But I am still wishing Paul a very happy 72nd birthday.    Seeing photos of him today celebrating with family and friends made me happy.   I am glad that he was able to enjoy his birthday with the people he enjoys spending time with.   He is looking good and I am very excited about seeing him in Kansas City on July 16.    Here is to many more happy birthday's for Paul!!! 

I hope Paul starts feeling like a "new man" soon!

Words cannot describe the disappointment I felt when I got the news yesterday that the concert I was planning on going to in Louisville, KY was postponed.   I totally understand that Paul is following doctor's orders and I agree that he is doing the right thing.  I remember about 5 years ago when I had viral pneumonia, it knocked me out for a full week.   About 3 weeks later I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding and let me tell you, that wedding killed me!   I was so exhausted and wiped out and some of my pneumonia systems started to come back because obviously my immune system wasn't built up yet.   I was in my early 30's at the time.   I am sure if Paul went back on the road full time and did night after night of 3 hour concerts, he just wouldn't be able to make it.

Having said all of that, doesn't change my disappointment.   I was going to Kentucky to take my long time friend to her first Paul concert.   It was on her bucket list--to see Paul in concert and I bought her a ticket because I knew how badly she wanted to go.   I was more excited about seeing her at the Paul concert than anything.   Now the concert has been moved to a Tuesday in October.   I am a teacher and I just cannot take off and travel six hours away in October.   I did that in February for the Beatles convention and I doubt I will be allowed to do it again.   So now I cannot go at all.   I am majorly bummed.   However, I did order a ticket to see Paul in Kansas City on July 16th and I hope he doesn't cancel out again.   But if he does.....he does. 

So here is a cute recent photo from the set of the Appreciate video of Paul with an adorable and happy little girl.

Some Fun tonight -- book review

Okay, so I have never reviewed a book that I haven't read all the way through before, but this book is so awesome that I didn't want to wait until I was done with both volumes to give a review.

I met the author Chuck Gunderson because of this blog. He emailed me several years ago with some questions about some of the photos I had posted.  He was a regular reader of this blog. He was one of the first people I had ever talked to that were actually "regular viewers."  I met him in person at the Fest for Beatle fans in Chicago.  Before long, he told me about the book he was writing about the Beatles' North American tours.  I had thought about writing such a book at one time.  Nothing has ever been published on the North American Tours that went into detail.  It was a gaping hole in Beatles books. I was glad that Chuck was taking on the topic, because I do not think I would be able to do it justice.

I have been anxious about Chuck's book since he first told me about it.  And now it is here! His book ended up being a two-book volume set.  The 1964 tour is in one volume, and 1965/1966 is in the second.  The book, titled Some Fun Tonight is published much like one of Bruce Spizer's books.  It is in full color and hardcover.  It is a beautiful set of books.   Inside, there are photos that were brand new to me, along with concert memorabilia.  Each stop on the tour is discussed in detail, along with stories from those who were there and fans.   

I started reading volume one last night. So far, it is awesome! I am learning new nuggets of information and loving every second of it. When I finish updating this blog, I am anxious to read some more.

Also, just an aside....if you look at the acknowledgments in the back, you will spot my name.

I can't recommend this book enough, and I am not just saying that because Chuck is such a nice guy.   Really, this is an awesome book set!

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book.  I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/3TsfT4o

Que Pasa New York?

I will tell you what is happening in New York February 7-9, 2014!   The Fest for Beatle Fans!!  In a whirlwind of a decision and some smarts on my part, I have decided to take two personal days from work and attend the 2014 50th anniversary celebration of the Beatles in New York City!

This is going to be a once in a lifetime event and I am so excited that I will not be missing it.   I have been asked to speak on the women's panel again about this blog, as I have at the past 2 Fests in Chicago.   

So who else is going to be there?   I hope to meet a lot of readers at the Fest.   Remember that I am a bit awkward and shy at times, but if you come speak to me I will be thrilled.  

For those of you who aren't able to celebrate with us, that is okay.   I will have a full report after the Fest.

I hope to see many of you there!

In the 1970's this "Dark Horse" was on loan to Beatlefest in NewYork from George Harrison to be displayed.   Afterwards it was returned to George and was in his office.   The "Dark Horse" now belongs to Dhani Harrison and he has it in his office.  

Wishing you all a very happy new year!

A man we all love once sang "Another year over and a new one just begun..."   And so it goes, doesn't it?   The end of 2013 somehow snuck up on me.  

For me, 2013 was a wonderful year.   I was able to travel on the Beatles Pilgrimage Tour and meet some great Beatle fans on my trip.   I also went to Memphis and saw Paul McCartney in concert and met a great fan there as well.    As I won't let anyone forget, the highlight of the year (what am I saying...it is basically the highlight of my LIFE) was when Paul read my sign at the concert and he looked right at me.     I also really, really enjoyed this year's Fest for Beatle fan moreso than I have years past and I think it is because I was able to meet so many of you!

This blog has gone through some transformations because of a surge in popularity in 2013.   I am still extremely honored to be one of the few blogs Mark Lewisohn recommends on his sight.   I except as we enter the 50th anniversary year of the Beatles in America, the number of hits on this blog will just continue to grow.   Regardless, I promise you all the same Beatles photos, stories and fun as you have grown to expect from Meet the Beatles For Real.  

2013 was such a great year to be a Beatles fan.   Many of you wrote to me excited to see Paul or Ringo in concert this year.    This blog shared with many fans who met one of the two remaining guys and we rejoiced at your successes.    I thank everyone who sent me a photo or story about meeting Paul or Ringo this year.  

We were blessed this year with a new Paul McCartney album, new Beatles BBC music, the amazing Mark Lewisohn volume one book, the BBC book and more.   Seriously:  what a great year to be a Beatles fan!

I know that 2014 is going to be even more exciting.   I am anxious to get the 50th anniversary started. 

A big thank you goes out to anyone who sent me photos or information for the blog this year.   Also a thank you to those of you who did not have anything to send me, but sent me encouraging emails.  Sometimes things around here were rocky, and it is so nice to have such amazing friends that read this blog.

I have many New Years Resolutions that I need to start in my life, but the one that deals with this blog is that I am not going to allow things people do online bother me as much this year.   If someone posts photos that I have bought and didn't link back, oh well.   I am going to try my best to keep calm about it because it isn't the end of the world.    I am not going to find myself getting wrapped up in online drama like I am in middle school again.  I am not going to allow mean things that people post about me get to me  because I know that people that spend their time posting mean comments on a blog that is about a band that spreads peace and love are jealous and just want to take all of the love out of Pepperland.   I am going to come back and read this paragraph when needed during the year and stick to it the best that I can.

Happy new year to you all!
Peace and Love
Sara S. (aka Starshyne)

John Lennon Lives Forever

What more can I say tonight at 10:00 (11:00 eastern) on December 8th?   The unthinkable happened 33 years ago tonight.   Because of the actions of one evil person,  the world only has a limited number of John Lennon songs to enjoy.   Because of that act, a father did not get to see his 2 sons become adults, a wife did not get to grow old with her husband and friends did not get to share laughter and memories with his/her friend.

But we can't change what happened.   All we can do is try our best to make sure that as this bridge in Minnesota said on December 9, 1980, "John Lennon Lives Forever" is true.  Share John music with others who aren't that familiar with it.  Discuss he and Yoko's peace message with people and basically just do what we can as modern day Beatle fans to keep the Beatles message of peace and love going to the next generations. 

I hope you all have a peaceful and reflective day.
Sara S.

MTBFR update for December 2013!

Hello fellow Beatle freaks!   I hope you all are doing well.   It has been a pretty exciting past few months, hasn't it?    Paul released a new album, The Beatles BBC volume 2 was released, Ringo's new photograph book, Mark Lewisohn's book, the new BBC book, plus some of you were able to see Paul in Japan or Ringo in Mexico / Las Vegas in the past month.    I tried like crazy to win Paul's autograph and lost (boo!).  But I thank you all for trying!!!   I ended up at number 23, which wasn't too shabby.

But hold on to your Beatles wigs because it is going to get Beatle crazy around here in the upcoming year.   The 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to America is going to see a brand new wave of Beatlemania.    And you better bet that MTBFR wouldn't miss it for the world!   I am teaming up with one of the best Beatles photo collectors in the U.S. for a very special contest to remember the Beatles landing in the United States.   You will be hearing more about that after the new year.

Here are a few things "I need to tell you"

1.  You still have one week left to enter the contest to win the book "Beatles vs. Stones."   As of right now just 19 people are entered into the contest.   Many people are going to buy this book and are spending $26.00 on it and you can get it by just answering one easy question.  If you don't know the answer, just use Google!    Send the answer to --What song did John Lennon produce for Mick Jagger in 1973/74?   Email me Starshyne9@yahoo.com


2.   First generation Beatle fans I am wanting to talk to YOU!   In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles coming the United States, I am wanting to do a few short "interviews" with some first generation fans.  Here is what I am looking for:

Group 1:   Anyone who saw the Beatles land at the airport, saw them performing live at Ed Sullivan, anyone who stood outside the Plaza Hotel, anyone who saw the Beatles at Carnegie Hall,  anyone who saw them at the train station in D.C., anyone who saw the D.C. concert, anyone who saw them on Ed Sullivan in Miami or just in Miami.   It is time to get your story out there!    Where you in a published photo?   Even if you weren't and you were THERE.  Please email me.   I would just like to get a few questions from you.  It isn't a big deal thing, just a little thing I promise.

Group 2:   So you were there live?  But you still saw the Ed Sullivan Show live on T.V. that night?  Great!   I want to hear from you!   What do you remember about that night?  What do you recall your parent's reaction being?   What special memories are in your mind and hearts about the Beatles coming?

Group 3:  Do you have any vintage photos from this time?   Photos of you wearing your Beatles wig?  Photos of you and your friends listening to Beatles records?    Photos of you and your Beatles trading cards?   Photos you took of the Beatles off the T.V. screen?   Get your scanners warmed up and send those in as well.   It will be so much fun to see!


And be aware that as 2014 continues, I am going to be wanting these sort of stories and hearing from those of you who saw the Beatles in concert in 1964.   Maybe you saw them in Hong Kong, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.S., or the U.K.     And how about your memories about seeing A Hard Day's Night?  Do you still have your ticket?   Be thinking about all of this.   Those of you who are 2nd and 3rd generation fans...think if you have a family friend or family member who might have a story to share.    Honestly....it is the 50th anniversary and if we don't get these memories now, when will we do it?  

I hope you all have a great holiday season! 
Peace & Love
Sara S. aka Starshyne

The Beatles Live at the BBC release in '94

The Beatles Live at the B.B.C a Beatle fan's memory
By Sara Schmidt for Meet the Beatles for Real

There are a few events in your life as a Beatle fan that simply just stand out.   You are more likely to remember these events for years after they occurred because they made a huge impact on your life as a fan.    One of those events for me was the release of The Beatles Live at the B.B.C. on double compact disc on December 6, 1994 (in the United States).

This was a big deal for me.  In 1994, I was a Freshman at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.   I had been a die-hard Beatle fan for the past five years.   And  essentially during my lifetime, there had not been a new Beatles album released.   The last time a Beatles album had been released was in May of 1977 with "The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl."   I was only 7 months old for that release, so I missed out.   This was the first time I got to personally experience a new Beatles album released and hear "new" Beatles songs. 

As I mentioned, I was 18 years old and going to college at EIU, which is located in the middle of a cornfield.    There are very few places in Charleston, Illinois to buy new things, but Cds were the exception.   There is a great little record shop located on the main strip of the town called "Positively 4th street Records (located on the corner of 4th and Lincoln and with a great Bob Dylan reference for a name).   Of course in 1994, there weren't very many "records" to buy there, but a lot of used Cds and a very small amount of beatlegs.

I had read in the Daily Eastern News that the records shop would be selling Pearl Jam's newest album, "Vitalogy" at midnight on Tuesday the 6th.  They were having some big give-away and prizes and things.   But all I really read from that ad was that 4th street records was going to be open at Midnight and they could legally sell the Beatles to me.   I called them up and asked them if they would be selling The Beatles BBC album at midnight.  The guy on the other end of the line said something like, "uh....yeah we have like 5 copies of that.  I don't see why we couldn't sell it."

So at 11:30p.m. I went to the store alone to await midnight.   I did not realize how many college students were Pearl Jam fans in 1994 (I liked Pearl Jam, but not enough to go out on a Monday night at midnight for them), but the line was long.    And sleet began to come down on me as I waited outside.   And it then hit me.   So many fans over the years had awaited the release of a new Beatles album in all sort of weather and now I was one of them. 

It turned midnight and the line started to move, but it wasn't moving quickly.   About an hour later I made it to the front door.   I was handed a Pearl Jam Cd and I said loudly and proudly, "No I am here for the Beatles."   The guy at the door yelled out, "This girl is here for the Beatles."   And I heard a voice go, "Yeah I talked to her on the phone.   Give her one of those discs."     Suddenly Live at the BBC was in my hands.   The line snakes around the small store and I just stared at the front cover.  The sepia colored cover of the guy looking so adorable.    I wrote a check for $34.85 for the 2 disc set.   That was quite a lot of money for a poor college student.

When I got back to my dorm room, I realized that my evil roommate was asleep (it was 1:30a.m.).  And it was too dark for me to try to find my Sony discman to listen to it.  And so I took the Cd and sat alone in the dorm lounge and read the booklet that came along with the disc.  I just stared at it.  And as strange as it seems now, that was a real moment for me.   First thing in the morning, when it  was daylight, I got my Discman and listened to the Cds.   I was amazed!   I think I listened to "Soldier of Love" 50 times that morning.

And now with a lot less fan fair the BBC part 2 is going to be released.    Having had the Purple Chick BBC set for many years, I most likely have heard the majority of the songs.   Yet I am still excited.   A new Beatles Cd.   How often can you say that?  

Just to clear things up a bit....

You may have seen some unkind things being spread around facebook and tumblr about me today.   I feel like I owe all of you an explanation.

I noticed a little over a month ago that minutes after I posted a Beatles photos on this blog, that same photo would appear on a tumblr blog.  I contacted the person and asked her to link back to this blog.   She got very upset that  was accusing her of taking photos from my blog.   Remember that I do not care one bit if people take photos from this blog and post them on their blogs or facebooks or whatever.   It would just be nice to link back, especially if it is a photo that I JUST posted.   I am trying (like all bloggers) to get more hits on my blog.    She tells me that SHE would never take photos off my "horrid" blog and that her friends send the photos to her.   I then say that her friends obviously found the photos on this blog and please link back.   Well this makes her even more mad than before and I get all sorts of messages from her and anonymous people for being so rude.


I felt like I was in the twilight zone or something.  What was I exactly accusing someone of?  Taking photos that neither one of us own?   Right clicking?  

Then I started noticing that she not only was posting my photos, but also the same or similar captions as mine.   That was crossing a line.  Posting photos that I purchased off ebay or scanned from a magazine or book is one thing.   But posting my words or a paraphrase of something I spent hours researching is something totally different.   And yes I might have gotten a little rude and yes I got wrapped up in the drama of it all.   But I never once used curse words in speaking with her and I never spoke to her or told anyone to be anonymous when talking to her. 

Yesterday she told me to stop reblogging photos from her on my tumblr account.   That really didn't seem right.  She can post the photos I share on my blog, but I cannot do the same with her things?   So I told her that I would stop if she also stopped putting the photos from my blog onto hers.   She replied that I must be "thick in the head" because she doesn't put photos from my blog on hers.  Her friends send her the photos.

So after that I figured there was no use going around and around in circles.  I told her that she won and I was done with it all.  She could post the photos that she thinks aren't from my blog and I will not post her photos.

Today after work I come home and I comment about how my students helped me click on the link to win Paul's autograph.   They didn't really understand what they were doing, just that they were helping Ms. Schmidt win a contest to have the her favorite singer, Paul's name written on a piece of paper.  It was really funny how excited they were about helping me.  Each of my classes (except for kindergarten) is required to have 15-20 minutes of computer time and I just set up the link and had them click on it one time.   It was really a fun experience.

Then I see that this person has done two things.   First she has put on facebook that I am rude and that people should not click to help me win the autograph.   Then I see that she has taken the post I made about my students and posted part of it on her blog.  She had a message about how disgusting it was that I was using students to win a prize and she was asking her followers to spread the word if they wanted to not click my link for the Paul autograph.    Wow.   That REALLY hurts.   And that is bullying.   As someone who has been bullied her whole life, I know what bullying feels like.  I was done with the whole thing.  I never once bad mouthed her or slandered her name.    And for her to be telling Beatles fans that I am a bad person, honestly hurts.  

I had been clicking on her link several times throughout the day, because I have been trying to help out everyone.  When I messaged her to let her know this, she said that she doesn't need my "stupid clicks."

So that is what is going on.  I do want to publicly apologize to McLennonlovers (also known as Olive) for being rude a few times.    She is welcome to use any and all photos on my blog as long as they are not copyrighted.    I will never take any photos from her blog and post them on tumblr, facebook or this blog.  

PSA

This is just a Public Service Announcement:

If you have a Beatles photo blog (be it on flickr, tumblr, we love it, facebook, etc), and you want to take a photo that I have posted on this blog, that is great!

The thing is that I am trying my best to get more viewership on this  blog.   And while I realize that most of the photos are not owned by me, I do spend a lot of time and money finding rare Beatles photos.   I would really, really appreciate it if you would link the photos back to this blog.   It isn't difficult to do.

If you email someone photos from this blog to share on his/her blog, please let them know that you found it here. 

I know this isn't a huge deal, but it is a little discouraging to see photos that I have paid money to own get more hits on someone else's blog and them getting all the glory.  

Sara S.

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!!