What goes on May 2018

The Beatles are jumping with amazement that Sara actually fixed some of the spelling errors on the tags!

Hello everyone,


I just wanted to touch base and let you all know what I have been up to lately.   

You might notice a few changes on the blog over the past few days.    I played around a little bit with the background color, which isn't a big difference.    I added a new "About me" page and now includes a donation through Paypal link.    Over the years people have asked me if they could donate to the blog.   As I have explained before, I need some extra funds to keep the site going and ad-free.   You can also purchase things through the Amazon links scattered throughout the site.   (Usually, after I review a book).      No pressure to donate at all, but I did want to make that available for those of you that were asking.

The BEST change is one that I am still working on.    I took a look at all of the tags for the photos and stories over the past 9 years and I have been trying to correct all of the spelling errors.   No more tags for "Pattie Body."    I also am trying to make things more consistent so that you can find things easier.    So photos of the four guys are going to be tagged "The Beatles" and not "Beatles"   also photos taken on the street where Paul lives are tagged "Cavendish Avenue" while photos that show his house are tagged "Cavendish."     


I am going on two little trips over the next 2 weeks.    Next week I will be in Cleveland, Ohio thanks to a grant that I won to do research at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame library there.    And guess who I will meet in Cleveland??    The two girls that created and wrote With a Little Help From my Friends!   I am so excited!   

When I return I will be holding the first contest I have had in quite some time.    Because it is the 50th Anniversary of the Yellow Submarine,  it will have a Yellow Submarine theme to it, so be on the lookout for that. 

Thank you all for your continued love and support!

Peace and Love,

Sara (aka Starshyne)

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.

MTBFR update for January 2017

Once again I want to wish all of you a very  happy 2017!


I wanted to remind you all of a few things.   The first is that I have Beatles photographs for sale.   You can order them at http://www.stlbeatles.com/photos-for-sale      If you are interested in any photo that says "out of stock" please just let me know that you are interested and I will be able to get a copy made for you.    


If you have any Beatles encounters this year, or have had any in the past that you wouldn't mind being shared on this blog, please email me at Starshyne9@yahoo.com and I will get your story up on this blog to share with the world.   If you have a story and you aren't sure about sharing it, I really want to encourage you to do so.   Each story is a little part of a puzzle for us Beatle fans.  Plus they are so much fun to read.

If you have any suggestions for books or films for me to review for Wednesday Review this year, please email me with them.    I enjoy reading and reviewing the new books, but it is also fun to have a second look back on older titles as well.

Back in 2013 I had a survey to get to know who comes to this blog.    I am having the survey again with almost the same questions to see how things are the same or how they have changed.   Please take this short (only 10 questions) survey and help me out.   I will share what I discover.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BF2B3TY


Peace and love to you all!

Sara S.

What goes on: Spring 2016 MTBRF update

Hello Beatle friends!
There isn't a Wednesday review this week because I am reading Phillip Norman's new Paul McCartney biography and it is a long book.   So I figured this would be a good time to do an update on the blog.

As we head into the summer of 2016, I am excited to share photos and stories from the 1966 Beatles tour.   If you have any rare photos or stories from any concert from 1966 PLEASE share it with me!   Remember that these stories and photos are part of history and need to be preserved.

As you most likely have realized, I typically post five new blog posts a day Sunday - Thursday.   Things in the summer tend to get a little more sporadic and I might not be as predictable with updating the blog as I am during the school year.    Just know that I am still here!

If you have seen Paul during the One on One tour or Ringo on his All Starr tour and have stories or photos to share from the concerts, please send them in!   We all love new photos as well as the old ones.

Lastly, I am going to have another plea to buy my book "Happiness is Seeing the Beatles:  Beatlemania in St. Louis."    I thought that someone that reads this blog would order the book after I posted about it last week, but nope.      I understand that the Beatles in St. Louis might not be a topic all of you are interested in.    Fair enough.   However, I want to tell you that I put just as much work and care into the book as I do into this blog.    I interviewed fan that shared some amazing stories that include sneaking on planes and on the field to fainting and screaming.    I also interviewed members of the opening acts and various other living insiders.     And most importantly, I searched archives far and wide to locate and license RARE PHOTOS for the book!   Some of these photos were brand new to me when I discovered them.    Even if you don't care about the city of St. Louis, the photos alone are really amazing.   The book is 8 1/2 x 11 in size with 150 pages with color photographs (if available---many Beatles photos are black and white).   Books cost $25 each and shipping within the United States is $3.25.        You can pay through paypal and get a signed copy of the book at beatlesbusch66@gmail.com   or you can order it through Amazon.  

If you have any questions about the book you can email me at either the beatlesbusch email address or my regular Starshyne9 address and I will be happy to answer your questions.  


Peace and Love,
Sara S.

Hot fun in the summertime----What goes on MTBFR update June 2015

Happy summer!!!    I can't tell you how trilled I am to be on my summer vacation.   The joys of being a teacher, I guess (although I am still working on school related things all of the time).    It is time to kick back and enjoy the sun and the fun.    And...work on my book "Happiness is Seeing the Beatles."    

As usual, my summer schedule is a bit crazy and so I am not going to be updating the blog as frequently as I do during the school year.    I will still be updating, but I might have to skip a day or two hear or there.    This week I am going to be Cleveland, Ohio to go to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.   So while I am there---no updates.  



As I did last year, I will be documenting the Beatles concerts from 50 years ago.  So I will be starting with the European concerts later this month and into the North American tour of 1965.  If you have any photos or stories from this time to include, please contact me!


Last of all---please don't forget that I am still accepting donations towards my book.   I promise that I am getting permission to publish some amazing Beatles photos, but I still need some more money to get all of the photos I need.   Donations of $25 get you a free book and $100 or more gets a free book plus a rare print of the Beatles performing at Busch Stadium.   If you'd like to donate here is the link:
http://www.gofundme.com/beatles66

MTBFR update and contest!

You might not realize it, but today we have something to celebrate here at Meet the Beatles...for Real!   This very blog has been online for 6 solid years today!   Hooray!   Want to hear something silly?  Today one of the kindergarten students at the school where I teach came up to me and announced that today is her birthday and she was 6 years old.  And so I thought, "wow---if my  blog was a person, that is what it would be like."     Over the past 6 years I have seen a lot of awesome Beatles blog and sites come and go.   But I am still here and I have no plans on going anywhere.  So as long as you all are enjoying the photos and stories---I will be here.    Oh who am I kidding?  I would do this for myself even if no one read this, which I still have my doubts that people even pay attention to this blog.


I am holding a contest for the 6th anniversary of the blog!  It isn't a big deal contest, but here it is.   I will be giving away 5 prizes to 5 random winners.  

Prize #1:  A vintage PYX Beatles magazine from 1964.  
Prize #2:  Ringo Starr "Ringo for President" buttons.  I bought these at the Ringo concert in October 2014.  Plus a Yellow Submarine pin
Prize #3:  $10 Amazon gift card
Prize #4:  All of my "left over" Beatles photos--these are a grab bag of photos that I happen to have doubles
Prize #5:  A mystery prize (because I haven't came up with it yet)


To enter the contest send an email to meetthebeatlesforreal@gmail.com (note this is a different email). And I will give you a number.   Keep your number and on April 1st (no joke), I will use a random number generator to pick the 5 winners.   I will announce the numbers on this blog at 10pm that nigh.  The winners have 3 days to contact me with their mailing address or I will pick another number.   The contest is open to everyone everywhere.  Celebrate with me 6 years of MTBFR!

  I am still working on my book.   I have been gathering some amazing stories and photos to include in the book and I know everyone is going to really enjoy it.   If you haven't done so, please look at the link at the top of the blog to see if you can help me with the book.   I am also still accepting donations towards the book to pay for the more expensive photographs that I want to include.    If you have a few dollars to donate, it would be greatly appreciated! 

MTBFR Update for August 2014

Well my  summer is almost over and I thought this would be a good time to have an update.   My play has finished and I had a wonderful time with some amazing actors.  I even met some new friends in the cast who are Beatle fans!  

Many of you are still looking forward to seeing Paul McCartney Out There in concert in the next few days.   If you have anything exciting to share about the concert, please do so!

I will be at the Chicago Fest for Beatle Fans this weekend and I hope to see many of you at the Fest!  I will be there Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday.  I will be speaking on two panels at the Fest and I would it if you are there, if you would come and hear them. 

Saturday at 4:15pm in the Paperback Writer room I will be taking part in the “She’s a Woman…..historian” panel with some other lovely ladies. We will be talking about the impact of the Beatles legacy past, present and future.

Sunday at 1:00 also in the Paperback Writer room I will be involved in a panel called “Across the Beatles-Cyber Universe” and we will be discussing the Beatle fandom online (which is a topic near and dear to me!).

I am very excited to be included in these discussions. If you are going to be at the Fest and don’t make it to a panel (which is totally cool—-there is so much going on and panel discussions are boring to some fans) please say hi to me.

 
 Once I return from the Fest, I will be sharing photos and stories day by day of the Beatles 1964 North American Tour.   (Much like I did for the World Tour earlier this year).   I am pretty excited about this and I have been working on it for almost a year now.    If you saw the Beatles during this tour 50 years ago it is not too late to email me your memories of the concert!  Even if you just have a sentence or two to share, I would love to include it.    Starshyne9@yahoo.com  is my email. 


While I am begging for information, I might as well as for something else.    I am looking to talk to anyone who saw the following:    the Beatles in St. Louis at Busch Stadium (August 21, 1966), George Harrison in St. Louis at the Arena (November 1974), Paul McCartney at Busch Stadium (April 1993) and Ringo Starr in St. Louis (1992, 1997 or 2001).    Email me and I will fill you in on why I would like to talk to you and see if you would like to help me with something.  


Peace and Love
Sara S. 

What goes on? MTBFR update May 2014

the Beatles hanging out at MTBFR headquarters (alright it was taken at the London fan club)

What goes on?
MTBRF update for May 2014


As one very smart man once said, "it's been a cold and lonely winter."   It sure has been cold and snowy here in the United States this winter.   It is wonderful that we are starting to finally thaw and get back to nice weather and activities.

I hope that those of you in the southern hemisphere have been enjoying the Paul McCartney concerts that have been happening in your area and as he continues to tour around the world that many of you can enjoy the show.   I also hope that the stress of getting Paul tickets hasn't left too many of you without any hair due to pulling it out.   How stressful is getting Paul tickets?   My goodness!    I am going to see Paul in Louisville, Kentucky in June.   My friend from college, who is a Beatles fan, has "see Paul McCartney in concert" on her bucket list.    She lives near Louisville. so I am going to drive down there and see the show with her.  We aren't on the floor but in section 111 in the center.    While I am excited to see Paul, I think I am more excited about seeing my friend see Paul.    Then on July 3 (just one week later) my mom and I are driving down to Tunica, Mississippi to see Ringo in concert with the VIP seats!    So yeah...I am seeing both living Beatles in the same week.    If you are going to be at either of those shows, please let me know.   If you are going to any of Paul or Ringo's shows this summer, and something exciting happens while you are there, please let us know!   Drop me an email so I can share any stories or photos from the shows with everyone else.

Don't forget that you can still enter the contest for a FREE Good ol Freda DVD signed by Freda Kelly!   Right now there are 21 raffle ticket numbers that have been given away.   Anyone can enter this contest, even if you do not have anything to say but, "I want a ticket."  All entries must be entered by May 14, 2014.

http://www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com/2014/04/contest-for-good-ol-freda-dvd.html


I recently bought 171 Paul McCartney fan taken photos from the 1960's and 1970's and I will soon  be getting more.   Needless to say, I have been extremely busy scanning and cleaning up the photos. I have posted a few of the photos and I hope you have enjoyed them.

Some of you might know that I love to act in community theater.   Well this summer I will be playing the part of the office gossip (really I am just in the chorus) of my local community's production of 9 to 5.    The play will be performed at the end of July/beginning of August.    So as I get into late night rehearsal, dress rehearsals and performances, I might not be updating the blog as often as I typically do.   Just be patient with me and I promise, I am not going anywhere.

This might be a good time to remind you all that you can join MTBFR on facebook and tumblr.   Also if you have any photos or stories about the Beatles and their fans that you would like to share, please just let me know!

Peace and Love
Sara S.

MTBFR update March 2014 / New contest

 

What Goes on?   MTBFR update for March 2014

Greetings  Beatle fans everywhere!    A special welcome to our new friends who have joined us after hearing me on the "John Lennon hour" tonight.   Welcome aboard.   Have a great time exploring the archives and feel free to email me if you have any stories of your own to share.   I hope you find this blog to be different than other Beatles sights out there.

Today is the 5th anniversary of the blog.   Can you believe that?   Well I sure can't!   Five years ago tonight I started to post candid photos of the Beatles taken by fans.  I have gone over why and how I started the blog a zillion times by now, so I won't get into it again.   I just want to thank all of you who have supported me over the years.   I especially want to thank Lizzie, Exclamation Mike,  Mister Kite, and Bruno for the extra support they have given me.   

There has been a lot of ups and downs on this blog over the past 5 years.   I have seen drama over photo scans  and two threats of law suits and you all have been there by my side through it all.  I have also seen friends get reconnected, family members find photos of deceased loved ones that they thought were gone forever, a plea to help find a photo of a loved one that was found and so many more amazing and wonderful stories.   Beatles photos are meant to  be shared.   I started all of this 5 years ago with that manta and I still have it today.  Thank you to everyone who has ever emailed me a photo or a story of meeting the Beatles to share with the world.   We all appreciate your willingness to allow us into your lives and share in your good fortune.   

I have said for years that Beatle fans are some of the best people in the world.   And while we might unfortunately find that rare black sheep of the fandom, I still believe that is true.   The kindness that so many of you have spread to me over the past five years is amazing.   Thanks to each of you.

One of the big things I did in honor of my 5th year online, I bought the websight "www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com"  What does that mean?    Well it means that you no longer have to put the "blogspot" into the address to get to this blog.   It will make it much easier for me to tell people to go to the blog.  However, you do not have to change your links or anything.   The old address and this new one will both show the exact same thing.  Cool huh?

The last thing is that I am holding a new contest for the 5th anniversary.   It isn't a big deal contest.  It is Sara's leftovers.    Just doubles and extras of things I found in my collection.   To enter this contest you need to send an email to Starshyne9@yahoo.com  and tell me how long you have been visiting MTBFR and what is your favorite thing about this sight.   Next chose which prize pack you would like to win.  Number 1, number 2 or number 3

Here are your choices

Prize pack #1   photos
10 photographs that are mostly reprints.   Most of these photos are 4 x 6 of George Harrison.  There is 1 8 x11 of Yoko and the band from 1980.

Prize Pack #2  Magazines
The Write Thing (Aug/Sept 1977), Parade magazine (Feb 9, 2014), McCartney Observer (1990), Beatlefan (July-August 1994), Strawberry Fields Forever (#52), Strawberry Fields Forever (#51), Beatlefan (Paul McCartney 1990 World tour special---tons of photos)

 

Prize Pack #3  Books
Solo in the 70's by Robert Rodriguez, Mojo 1000 Days that shook the world (1965-1967), $10 Amazon gift card (to buy your own Beatles book)



The fine print:   Only one entry per person.    Please have your entries into my by email by 5:00p.m (central time) on March 31, 2014.  On that day I will pick 3 winners from each prize pack using a random number generator online.  This contest is open to everyone everywhere.

Peace and Love,
Sara (aka Starshyne)

What Goes On ? --February 2014 update

Hello everyone!

I first want to welcome all newcomers to Meet the Beatles...for Real!   I see the stat numbers going up and I am so happy that you are here with us during such a special time for Beatle fans.

I hope you find that MTBFR isn't just another Beatles blog, but is a special place for Beatle fans.  I try to run it similar to the Beatle fanzines of the 1970's.  So there is plenty of rare photos and stories f fans who met one or more of the Beatles in person.   I also have reviews of books, concerts and events.   Plus there are fun contests that anyone can participate in.

Speaking of contests, the Beatles word scramble contest is still happening.  I am extending the deadline because I am going to the Fest this weekend.    So you now have until Feb 11th (this Monday) to send your answers into me.   Remember that there will be 5 winners for this contest and each person will get a print of the Beatles at LAX from Vincent Vigil's collection.   So far there are 32 contestants.   In case you can't find the word scramble here it is again.   Remember that all of the answers are people, places and things that are associated with the Beatles 1st U.S. visit in February 1964.

I will announce the winners on February 12, assuming that I am back home from the Fest and not stranded in a blizzard in New York City.

Yes, I WILL be at the Fest for Beatle fans this weekend in New York City!   I know that many of you will be there as well.   PLEASE come and say hello!   I am speaking on a panel with other female Beatles scholars on Saturday at 12:30 in the Carnegie Room.   The topic of the discussion will be about the legacy of the Beatles.   If you are there, please come and participate!   For those of you who can't make it to the Fest, I will have a full report when I return.   And at least you will be able to see the big TV special on Sunday night.  I will have to miss it because I am at the Fest.  

For the time being, I am putting my "regularly scheduled programing" on hold here at MTBFR so that I can bring you special reports that I have dug out of my vaults and found online about the Beatles 1st U.S. visit and those involved.   I will return with rare solo photos (I am hanging onto one of John from 1979 that is great) and stories and other periods of time of the Beatles in March.   But for the time being, the only thing you are going to see is from February 1964.   I hope you all enjoy it!

Peace & Love,
Sara S. (aka Starshyne)

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

MTBFR October Update

Greetings Beatle fans around the world!   Your friendly Beatles blogger, Sara here yet again.   Welcome to all newcomers to this blog!   I am so happy that you are here with us.

Can you all feel the excitement in the air?   It is a great time to be a Beatles fan at the moment.   I am super-excited for the release of the new BBC album in November.   A "new" Beatles album is always exciting and I am happy to be able to be experiencing another Beatles release.   Of course right now Paul is making the rounds right now on talk shows promoting his album, "New" that will be out this time next week.   And there are a bunch of Beatles books coming out within the next month are must haves, the most important one in that bunch is Mark Lewisohn's book, Tune In, which is coming out this Thursday.   I pre-ordered mine, so I am not sure when it will be coming from The Fest.   But I am so anxious to start reading it!     I think Mark Lewisohn's books are always outstanding.     My big news is that Mark Lewisohn has a new website and in his links section has listed this very blog as one he recommends!   Can you even believe that?   I had no idea that Mark Lewisohn  knew about this blog and much less he liked it!    And I am in wonderful company with Miss Tammy's Beatle Photo Blog, Sean's Kenwood Blog, Roger's Wogblog and my favorite podcast, the Fab 4 Free For All.

I have an announcement of a great contest coming up very soon that you all will want to enter.   I am really hoping to get more participation in the contests and I think this one will be one you all will want to enter.     So keep looking here for more information!

August/September MTBRF update

I have noticed that viewers in the past few days have jumped up by about 500 people a day.   So I thought it would be a great time for another update.   Welcome to all of those who are new to Meet The Beatles...For Real!  I think it is safe to say that there isn't any other Beatles site online quite like it.  Now if that is good or bad is up for you to decide.   If you have any questions about this blog, please read the "Self Interview" (aka FAQ) at the top of this page.

August was a rough month for me with this blog.   I got quite a few rude comments emailed to me after I posted photos from my trip to the U.K and Germany.   Then I got an e-mail in which someone was mad about things left in the comment section and threatened to sue me if they were not promptly removed.   As I have said before, I am a real person and quite sensitive one at that, and all that stuff had me in tears.  Many thanks to all of the kind viewers I talked to at the Fest for Beatle Fans who helped raise my self-esteem about this blog a bit.   I am not going to allow a few Blue Meanies to ruin our fun around here.

How many of you were surprised to hear a new song from Paul today?  I know I sure was!   I like to think that I am pretty much on top of all the Beatles news, but that new song sure took me by surprise.  When did Paul even have time to record a new album?    He is one busy man!   I really like the song, "New" and hope to hear it live!  :)

If you would like to write an article for Meet the Beatles...for Real!, please feel free to do so.   I am looking for any news on Ringo or Paul sightings, reviews of things, and anything Beatle fan related.   It would be great to have a variety of fans of different age groups and locations.   I have a few things planned for the near future for this blog, but nothing big and exciting.    I do have another contest in the works.   I just love giving out Beatles things. 

Just a few reminders:

1 Keep spreading the word about "Good Ol Freda."   It will be available on Video on Demand and Itunes starting September 6.    Contact your local indie theater and request that they show "Good Ol Freda" from Magnolia pictures.    Check here to see the latest list of  screenings.   Please spread the word among all of the Beatle fans you know.  

2.  There is still time to enter the contest to win James McCartney's autograph.    All you have to do is email a Beatles photo to Starshyne9@yahoo.com
All entries must be in by noon central time on September 1, 2013.   That evening I will announcing the winning number.    So if you haven't entered, go ahead and send a photo in right now.   It doesn't cost you a thing and you might be the winner.   


As of right now I plan on attending the unveiling of a marker for George in Benton, Illinois on September 21.   If anyone else is planning on going, please let me know.    I will have a report from the festivities.

That appears to be it for now.   As always, if you have a story or photo to share about meeting one or more of the Beatles in person, just send you story or photo to me.   You can send stories even if you don't have a photo.

Sara S.

June/July MTBFR update and survey results

 

Greetings to Beatle fans everywhere!     I hope that many of you have had the chance to see Paul in concert for his "Out there" tour.    I really think it has been one of his better tours in recent years.   It has been a pretty fun Beatle-filled summer so far!   We've seen the re-release of Wings over America, Paul's tour, Paul's interview and performance on the Colbert Report, Paul and Stella on Dateline NBC, Ringo's new awesome ebook and Grammy museum exhibition as well as various fan conventions and meet ups going on.   Who would have thought that being a Beatle fan in 2013 would have been so exciting and fun?   

I will be off on my tour with The Beatles Pilgrimage tour from July 5-15.  I will be going to Liverpool, London and Hamburg.   I will be in Liverpool on Ringo's birthday.   It should be a LOT of fun.   If any of you live in that area, please let me know!    I will be checking my email and things a little bit while I am away, but for the most part I will be too busy having Beatle fun.  The blog will not be updated and I will allow comments to occur without my approval.   I know that Paul will be back in the United States during that time (just my luck, huh?).   If any of you have any Paul encounters please do not hesitate to email me and I will post your story when  I am back home.

I only had 7 people enter the Trivia contest this past month.   Maybe I made the questions too hard?  I didn't think they were too bad.   I am going to announce the winners tonight.   The next contest will be coming up soon.  It will be a raffle and the winner will get James McCartney's autograph!  (Thanks to my mom!)

I am looking for a few fans out there who might like to be "corespondents" for Meet the Beatles for Real.   I am looking for some fans who live in various places around the world and who attend lots of Beatles events:  Paul and Ringo concerts, openings, sound checks, conventions, etc.    People who are in the know and might have a few inside scoop and be willing to write about things from a fan's point of view.   If that sounds like you, please let me know!

Thank you to the 100 people who took the time to take the first ever MTBFR survey.   It was interesting and I will be having other survey's in the future.   Here are the results: (some people skipped questions and did not answer, so not all percentages add up to 100)

Question:  How long have you been visiting Meet the Beatles...For Real?

20%   2-3 years

20%   just started

19%   1-2 years

16%   under 1 year

13%   4 years

12%   3-4 years

Question:  What is your age range?

33%    50-59

32%    40-49

14%    20-29

9%      30-39

8%      60-69

4%      13-19

Question:  How long have you been a Beatles fan?

24%   Since the 1970's

20%   Since 1964

16%   Since the 1980's

12%   Between 1965-1970

11%   Since the 2000's

9%     Since the 1990's

5%     I'm a new fan

5%     Since 1963 or eariler

Question:  What is your gender?

60%  Male

40%  Female

Question:  What Country are you from?

60%   U.S.A.

7%     England

6%     Canada

4%     Germany

3%      Israel

2%      New Zealand

2%      Brazil

1%      Mexico

1%      France

1%      Belgium

1%      Italy

1%      Norway

1%      Netherlands

1%      Vietnam

1%       Georgia

1%       Singapore

1%      Malta

1%      Sweden

1%      Iceland

1%      Greece

1%      Ireland

Question:  Who is your favorite Beatle?

37%    John

32%    Paul

21%    I don't have a favorite Beatle

19%    George

4%      Ringo

Question:  Have you ever met one of the Beatles in person?

78%    No

21%    Yes

Question:  Have you ever met someone connected to the Beatles (such as Pete Best, a wife, child, etc.) in person?

60%  No

40%  Yes

Question:  What is your favorite part of Meet the Beatles ... For Real!?

57%   Photos

46%    All of it

23%    Fan Stories

5%      Sara's review of books, concerts and events

5%      What ever happened to?  (stories of where fans are today)

3%      comments from other fans

1%      On stage with Macca

Question:  What is your least favorite part of Meet the Beatles .... for Real!?

84%   I like everything (thank you!)

5%     On stage with Macca

5%     comments from other fans

2%     What ever happened to?  (stories of where fans are today)

2%      Sara's reviews of books, concerts and events

2%      fan stories

1%      photos

MTBFR Update May 2013

There seems to be a lot going on right now, so I thought it was a good time for an update.  

First of all I hope you have gotten the chance or plan to see Rock Show at your local movie theater.  I went Thursday night and let me tell you:  it was worth the price of a ticket!  I had never seen Rock Show before, and had only heard audio for the 1976 tour.  So seeing Paul and Linda and the rest of the '76 Wings gang performing on a big screen was awesome!   The set list was pretty awesome as well.  If it is still showing in your area and you weren't sure about seeing it, let me tell you that you will regret it if you miss the chance to see this film on the big screen.   


This time next week I will be at the Paul McCartney concert in Memphis, Tennessee.   I have the VIP package and will be seeing the sound check as well as being in the fourth row center for the concert.  This will be the closest I have ever been to Paul!   I hope he acknowledges me in some fashion (Ringo pointed to me in 2000 and I still am gushing about it!).   I also will be seeing James McCartney on June 4th in St. Louis.    If any of you are at either of these shows and see me, please say hello!   I am always excited to talk to people who are visitors of this blog.    Also expect a full report and photos of these concerts when I return.

As I enter the summer time, and my time off from teaching elementary kids how to be better readers, I will be updating the blog, but not my usual routine.   Except for things to be a tad "spotty" from time to time with updates.    From July 6-July 15 I will be in Liverpool, London and Hamburg.    Obviously I will be busy with my Beatles pilgrimage tour to update the blog during that time.   Again if any of you are in those towns the same time I will be there, please let me know.   

The MTBFR facebook group has exceeded my goal of 1000 members and as of right now it has 1051 members!  Thank you so much to everyone who helped me out in spreading the word.  

In the upcoming months (June or July) I will be having a MTBFR contest to win an autographed Beatle book.   Keep checking in for more information.

If any of you have Beatles photos or stories to share with the blog, please send them to me at Starshyne9@yahoo.com   The past few months I haven't been receiving very many items and I have been really scrounging around for things to post.    I haven't been as happy with the contents of this blog as I usually am.    Also if you have any old fanzines that have stories that haven't been posted, that would be great as well.   I often get outbid on the fanzines I try to win.  

Thanks everyone for your support.  Beatles forever!
Sara S. (aka Starshyne)