Paul Saltzman

Photographer and Filmmaker

Paul was in Rishikesh, India during the same time as The Beatles. He took iconic photos of the group and made a film based on it -- The Beatles in India. Paul will be screening his film and putting together a photo exhibition.

Yvonne Innes

Author

Author of Dip My Brain In Joy: A Life With Neil Innes.

The Weeklings

In Concert

The Weeklings (JEM recording artists) are America’s most unique celebration of the music and muse of The Beatles, The band performs and records explosive renditions of Beatles album and Top 40 classics, uniquely arranged nuggets, 60s classic remakes, and brilliant Beatles-inspired power-pop originals. The Weeklings bring their music to life through their extraordinary energy and musicianship, exceptional vocals, and charming stage presence. They have a brand new album out called Raspberry Park and we think it is their finest one yet. We offer signed copies of the album.

Andrew Weiss & Friends

In Concert

Self-taught on the many instruments he knows how to play, Weiss’s journey sprouted from early exposure to The Beatles, which recently came full circle after a spontaneous run-in and 20 minute conversation with Paul McCartney. He began picking guitar and writing songs at only seven years old, and he would later play in various bands throughout his youth. During his time at NYU, where he studied Music Theory & Composition, Weiss wrote music for films and various ensembles. His High Fascination work also continued there, and he eventually discovered a group of musicians to join him. Four more albums were released during Weiss’s time in college, before the musical style soon shifted to a more Americana-driven approach, or “Power Pop-icana” as Weiss likes to call it. High Fascination ultimately folded to make way for a new project, as a brand new circle of friends and musicians emerged — Andrew Weiss and Friends was born.

Gary Astridge

Ringo's Drum Kits Curator

We are delighted to welcome back Ringo's personal Drum Curator GARY ASTRIDGE.

Tom Frangione

The Beatles Channel (SiriusXM) 'Resident Beatles Expert'

For over 40 years, Tom’s been covering the Beatles on radio and in print, and is a long-time master of ceremonies and co-host at the Fest.

Tom has been part of the official Beatles Channel on SiriusXM since its premiere in 2017, hosting the weekly Fab Fourum, the Way Beyond Compare rarities show, and Apple Jam, celebrating the music and artists on the Beatles own Apple Records label. He also writes the weekly show Across The Universe, focusing on John Lennon’s life and music, and hosts a brand new series “Beyond The Beatles”, focusing on the solo music made by John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Tom is a longtime Contributing Editor to Beatlefan Magazine, and contributor to Joe Johnson’s Beatle Brunch Radio as well.

Tom has done exclusive one-on-one interviews with both Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. His interview with Sir Paul was cited around the world, and won a New York Festivals international radio award in 2023.

Scott Erickson

On the Apple Jam Stage

With the addition of the Apple Jam Stage in 2015, long time Fest attendee Scott Erickson became a staple of our music lineup. Since then, he has consistently surprised us by playing group and solo songs we all-but-forgot about, as well as entire albums.

Jonathan Pretus

On the Apple Jam stage

Jonathan Pretus is a musician, singer, and songwriter from New Orleans. He has toured the country numerous times as the guitarist of 90s rock band Cowboy Mouth and as the singer, guitarist and songwriter for his own critically acclaimed band, The Breton Sound. As a songwriter, his work has been performed on the tv show America’s Got Talent and heard on radio stations throughout the country.

He also performs in The Walrus, A New Orleans Beatles Tribute, which has toured throughout the Southeast and West Coast, and along with his wife Julia, hosts the podcast Ranking The Beatles, which started in 2020.

Caruso

On the Apple Jam Stage

On the Apple Jam Stage.

Skylar Moody

Panelist

Skylar Moody is a NYC-Metro based Beatles content creator for TikTok (@lucyinthesky.lar) and YouTube as well as a budding music journalist. From the age of 15, she has been deeply influenced by the work of The Beatles. Their impact has inspired her to connect with fans around the world and become the voice of her generation that keeps the band's legacy alive. Skylar on Wordpress

Jude Southerland Kessler

John Lennon Author/Historian

Jude Southerland Kessler's fifth volume of the history of John Lennon is out now. It is called, Shades of Life: Part 1. This is an amazing book and a must read for all Beatles fans, especially John fans. The first volume in the series is Shoulda Been There, the second is Shivering Inside, the third is She Loves You, and the fourth is Should Have Known Better. A featured writer on the Fest's Blog, Jude's A/V presentations at the FEST are original and you will even learn new things about the Beatles.

Wally Podrazik

Panel Discussions

Wally Podrazik has been the Discussions Room host at almost all of our Chicago FESTS (and numerous other cities) since 1977.  Wally is one of the most respected Beatles historians in the world and from 1976-1983 wrote three books (with Harry Castleman) that became an early part of a journey to delve deeply in The Beatles history. Wally's insights make his contributions to the daily discussions with our guest authors invaluable.

Susan Shumsky

Author of "The Inner Light: How India Influenced The Beatles"

Susan is the author of "The Inner Light: How India Influenced The Beatles." Susan learned TM in early 1967, and studied with the Maharishi in Rishikesh in 1970. She ended up working for him for six years in Europe, really getting to know him.

Deirdre Kelly

Author of Fashioning the Beatles

Author of Fashioning the Beatles. John, Paul, George, and Ringo were more than great musicians: they were the quintessential fashion icons of one of the most exciting and memorable fashion eras of all time. From their starts in black leather through Sgt. Pepper to Nehru collars and psychedelia, the Beatles used clothing to express their individual and group identities and, especially, to grow their following.

Adrian Sinclair

Author of The McCartney Legacy

The principal investigator for The McCartney Legacy, Adrian Sinclair studied film at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and served a traineeship with ITV in Yorkshire, England, where he learned his craft as a documentary film editor. Since going freelance 15 years ago, he's worked for almost every major broadcaster in the world, including the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, National Geographic, Discovery and MTV. As well as receiving recognition for his work from the Royal Television Society in England, Adrian’s 2010 documentary Stealing Shakespeare (BBC/Smithsonian) was Emmy nominated for Best Documentary. Adrian regards the project as the perfect way to combine a lifetime of onscreen storytelling and his lifelong love of the Beatles.

More to Come

See you at the Fest!