CHICAGO 2007
JULY 29, 2007 UPDATE:
On July 6, 1957 John Lennon and Paul McCartmey met at a church 'Fete' in Liverpool.
TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT HISTORIC MEETING, JOHN'S BAND THAT DAY, THE QUARRYMEN, JOINED US THIS YEAR!
 THE QUARRYMEN
50 years ago this July 6th, a 16 year old John Lennon met a 15 year old Paul McCartney and the rest is history. John's band THE QUARRYMEN were playing a Church fete when they met. We are thrilled that his band is joining us for the ocassion. 3 original members, LEN GARRY, ROD DAVIS, & COLIN HANTON are joined by JOHN DUFF LOWE who played with John, Paul & George on their first recording a year later - In Spite of All the Danger. |
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 GERRY MARSDEN Gerry (& the Pacemakers) was Brian Epstein's #2 group and as was very close friends with all The Beatles. His classics hits include Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying, Ferry Cross the Mersey, I Like It, You'll Never Walk Alone, and of course, the one The Beatles did not want to release - How Do You Do, which was their first Number One song! Because Gerry is so busy every summer, we have not been able to find a year he could join us in Chicago until now. He will be with us all day Sunday, give a Talk/Music session, sign autographs and play some of his hits with Liverpool that evening.
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 TERRY SYLVESTER is a Liverpool native and with his group The Escorts, played at the Cavern Club with The Beatles many times, including their last performance there in August, 1963. Terry then joined the Swinging Blue Jeans and had a major hit with Hippy Hippy Shake. He joined the Hollies when Graham Nash left the group to form CSN, and sang and played on He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, Long Cool Woman & The Air That I Breathe.This is Terry's first time joining us and he will be performing his Hollies hits and more with Liverpool backing him.
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 VICTOR SPINETTI is one of England's most respected Actors of stage and screen. He is most well known to Beatles fans as the Hyper Director in A Hard Day's Night, the Scientist in HELP! and the very fast talking character in Magical Mystery Tour. His autobiography Victor Spinetti Up Front was recently published and Las Vegas and Chicago are his first U.S.appearances for the book. Victor is one of the best guests we have ever had and we welcome him back. No one tells stories the way Victor does!
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 MARK HUDSON is one of the top Producers in the country and an unabashed Beatles Fan. He has produced all of Ringo's CDs since 1997, plus Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Bon Jovi and many more..Mark has been an unbelievable guest these past four years, with his fabulous stories and extensive jams with Liverpool.
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 LARRY KANE is one of the most popular Authors to attend THE FEST. This year he returns to launch the Trade Paperback Edition of his bestselling book Lennon Revealed. For those of you who may not be familiar, Larry was the only journalist to tour with the Beatles 1964-1965 and his Ticket To Ride book chronicles those amazing years in Beatles history. Both books are considered benchmarks in the Beatles world. We will be showing the DVD that comes with the Lennon Revealed book. It contains the last known interview with both John and Paul, from May, 1968 that Larry conducted in NYC.
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 TERRI HEMMERT is Chicago's #1 DJ, and has been on WXRT for over 30 years. She came to the first FEST, at the Palmer House in 1977, as a fan. We met, and we are very proud that she has been our Master of Ceremonies ever since. Terri hosts the very popular Breakfast with The Beatles show every Sunday morning. Her musical knowledge is almost unrivaled in the industry. Terri's approach to talking to and inteviewing not only our Special Guests, but the many she has had on her radio shows, is intelligent and exciting.
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 Local Beatles historian and expert WALLY PODRAZIK heads up the always intriguing PANEL DISCUSSIONS with the guests and authors. Wally also hosts the LIVE TRIVIA GAME SHOWS each day.
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 Our NY METRO MC MARTIN LEWIS is a humorist/writer/producer and leading Beatles scholar. Martin now hosts his own daily radio show heard nationally on Sirius Satellite Radio (The Underground Garage Channel.) This will be his 42nd convention with us! Martin will have some new topics to talk about this year!.
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 You can meet Joe Johnson with his roving microphone at Beatlefest and he also hosts the Trivia Questions and Name That Tune Games.. Beatle Brunch is a fascinating hour of music and interviews with The Beatles and those in their immediate circle. Every week on the show, you'll hear classic interview clips from the days of Beatlemania, plus the most up to date information on what The Beatles are up to today.
Joe has interviewed Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, Yoko and George and Giles Martin. He takes a trip inside the studio to hear a song under construction, or journey to a faraway stage for a flashback to a famous Beatles concert, or a more recent one featuring Paul, Ringo, George and historic John and Yoko shows. Listen to Joe Johnson's Beatle Brunch program every Sunday in Real Audio on a station near you. The Beatle Brunch radio show can be heard every Sunday all across the U.S and Canada. To get Beatle Brunch played in your city, call the Program Director of your local Oldies station and ask them to add the show to their weekend lineup. It doesn't cost them anything. |
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 After 6 amazing and authoritative books over the past 8 years, BRUCE SPIZER has turned out his final book in the Beatles U.S. Recordings series. It is called The Beatles Swan Song. He will be doing two very entertaining Slide Shows this year, one on the New book, and one is a surprise!
 For all of you who have been concerned about Bruce and the recovery of his home town of New Orleans, he thanks you all for the good wishes, and says things are slowly improving. We send Bruce our condolences on the loss of his Father, late last year.
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Other Guest Authors include:
JORIE GRACEN (I Saw Him Standing There)
JEFF AUGSBURGER (Memorabilia Price Guide)
SUSAN RYAN - (The Rooftop Sessions)
LIVERPOOL: WORLD'S FINEST BEATLES SOUND-ALIKE BAND
INCREDIBLE LIVE CONCERTS
 LIVERPOOL, the World's Finest Beatles Sound-Alike Band, are an integral part of our ‘FEST family' and have been our exclusive house band for nearly every FEST! Their dedication to the spirit of The Beatles music is unmatched, playing a vast majority of Beatles and solo songs, plus playing with dozens of great musical guests over the years. Of course, they will be playing at the Friday Night Dance as well as Concerts on Saturday and Sunday evenings. DREW HILL, CHRIS CAMILLERI, JOHN MERJAVE and GLEN BURTNIK will be backing SPECIAL GUESTS Gerry Marsden, Terry Sylvester, Mark Hudson and maybe some other surprises for some great live entertainment.
FRIDAY NIGHT BEATLES 60s DANCE PARTY
The ANNUAL FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY gets the weekend off to a high flying start! The Party is an optional 60s dress-up night. Don't be shy, find some you haven't worn for decades and proudly wear them. Maybe find some things you wore to our earliest FESTS back in the mid 1970s. Prizes for the best outfits. We also plan a Look-Alike Contest as well as lots of Door Prizes and Live Music beginning around 9:15PM byLIVERPOOL.
GIANT INTERNATIONAL BEATLES MARKETPLACE, AUCTIONS
The GIANT INTERNATIONAL BEATLES MARKETPLACE fills up every year with nearly 90 tables full of an astonishing array of Beatles merchandise by Vendors from as far away as England and all across America. For sale will be Recordings, Videos, Books, Photos, Posters, Art, & more. The BEATLES AUCTIONS take place Saturday and Sunday afternoons, where unusual and one-of-a-kind items are often found. If you have any unique items for the Auction, please let us know when ordering your tickets.
BEATLES MUSEUM AND ART CONTEST
Over 40 years of Beatles History is traced here! Our popular Kids Art Korner returns - it's a place where youngsters can create Beatles art on site, and have it displayed, too! Crayons, papers, and markers are provided. The Annual BEATLES ART CONTEST, is where you can show off your creativity in an environment that your Beatles Art Work can be most appreciated - by other Beatles fans! Don't be shy-bring your art work this year, or create a new piece just for the contest. Prizes are awarded in 3 categories: Professional, Amateur, & 16 Years or younger. Ribbons are given to all who enter.Our Beatles Museum and Art Contest Coordinator DECO FREEMAN will be on hand to greet all entrants. She is looking forward to some great art work this year!!
BEATLES VIDEOS
There are so many exciting activities going on at any one time at THE FEST, that sometimes fans need to stop by our Video Room, where they can sit, relax and enjoy a wide variety of Beatles and solo Beatles material, which runs almost non-stop all weekend long.
BATTLE OF THE BEATLES BANDS, SOUND-ALIKE CONTEST
We expect over two dozen groups to enter the BATTLE OF THE BEATLES BANDS, always one of the highlights of the weekend! Each group will play one Beatles or Solo Beatles song, with a runoff of the top three groups to determine the winner. The audience is the judge of this exciting and fun contest, held on Sunday late-afternoon. To enter, you must sign up by July 18th, either by phone (1-866-THE FEST), FAX (1-201-666-8687), E-Mail (bands@thefestforbeatlesfans.com) or by mail when ordering your tickets. All you need to bring are guitars, cords, drum sticks, and your admission tickets. The BEATLES SOUND-ALIKE CONTEST takes place on Saturday and is open to all individuals and duos. (Trios must enter the Battle of the Bands) Martin Lewis heads the tryouts on Saturday early afternoon, with the finalists playing the main stage that evening. All contests are open to all FEST attendees and prizes are awarded to all winners of all contests.
12TH ANNUAL LIVE BEATLES TRIVIA GAME SHOWS
& NAME THAT TUNE
 WALLY PODRAZIK is the Host for the Live Trivia Game Shows, each day. Questions range from very easy to quite difficult and it's how quick you recall the answers that makes the difference. Brush up on your trivia, as all contestants are picked from the audience. JOE JOHNSON cannot join us this year, but Tom Frangione, will be sitting in for Joe and will host the popular Name That Tune Competitions each day. There will also be some competitions for the younger fans in attendance.
FINE ART BY THE BEATLES - CELEBRITY ART
 NEAL GLASER of Celebrity Art started with a traveling John Lennon art show and now is the exclusive distributor for Paul McCartney's artwork and the publishers of Ringo Starr's Computer Art. Bringing to THE FEST FOR BEATLES FANS the only exhibit that features the signed artwork of John, Paul and Ringo all together. This is an incredible showcase of the Beatles multiple talents. Known as great performers, talented singers and outstanding writers, they now share their not often seen visual sides with the world. Just as they had distinct personalities on film and on record, they also exhibit distinct styles with their art talents too. JOHN is the ILLUSTRATOR who uses pen and ink to showcase his humorous and insightful line drawings. SIR PAUL is an ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST whose works show a deep and complex layer of thoughts and textures. While RINGO is the POP MODERNIST who uses his computer to paint images that are witty, colorful and reflective of todays art scene. Come see this one-of-a-kind exhibit and maybe walk away with a hand signed Beatles masterpiece.
SHANNON has been coming to our national conventions since the 1980s creating Beatles Air Brush Artwork to order. She cannot attend any of our FESTS in 2007 because she is now working on painting the entire Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool. It should be some accomplishment when it is finished. We wish her all the best and hopefully will be back with us in 2008!
WORLD'S LARGEST BEATLES MEMORABILIA EXHIBIT
This is local collector JEFF AUGSBURGER's 21st year with us. His collection grows every year. He has been noticing that not only the first generation fans are enjoying the rare items he has on display, but lots of young fans are totally amazed at the sheer quantity of Beatles items created in the 1960s. We thank Jeff for sharing this very special collection exculsively with us, every year.
HAVE YOURSELF PHOTOGRAPHED WITH THE BEATLES EXHIBIT
This is North Pole Photo's GREG HASYN's 19th year with us, creating an interactive atmosphere where you can be photographed with the Fabs, crossing Abbey Road, in a press conference, in the Yellow Submarine, and more! Using all digital cameras, there is a lot more Greg can do with the photos he takes.
ROCKSTORE EXHIBIT
JOHN RAUCH of RockStore of Newburgh, IN has assisted in putting exhibitions together of our previous guests Astrid Kirchherr, Klaus Voormann, Jurgen Vollmer and Bob Gruen. John is setting up his always fascinating exhibit of rare rock and roll collectables in the Marketplace.
BEATLES RECORDING STUDIO
This fun and popular feature is geared for the singer in all of us. Your vocals and/or instruments can be mixed over a sound-alike bed of over 150 Beatles songs, complete with a variety of special effects including changing the key to suit your voice! Recording sessions can be scheduled on the spot at THE FEST, or in advance by emailing tom@tjplusproductions.com. Tom McGinniss, musician and recording engineer, has been with us for 11 years and brings a wealth of experience to help you sound your best. (He sings, plays 12 instruments and teaches music!) From the beginning vocalist to the seasoned performer – Tom will make you feel comfortable and you will leave with a CD that you will love! Most of his customers are repeats.
KARAOKE KAREN'S BEATLES SING-ALONGS,
MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC DVD
Karaoke Karen of Park Street Studios of Montclair, NJ makes it possible for you to ‘star' in your own Beatles Music Video, with ever improving state of the art equipment, in the LASER KARAOKE ROOM. The music and the video are created while you sing. There are additional fees if you want to purchase the results (optional).
BEATLES PUPPET SHOW
 Puppeteer BOB ABDOU is back for his ninth year at THE FEST, being appreciated by fans, both young and old with his BEATLES PUPPET SHOWS, all 3 days. Bob promises a blast for all ages with lots of audience participation. His Sunday performance will be in the Main Ballroom at 11:15AM, a pre-opening bonus. So if you are bringing children, be sure to get there early on Sunday (Saturday will be early as well). You can visit Bob at his website www.mrpuppet.com.
FAN FICTION & POETRY READING
DECO FREEMAN heads the POETRY READING SESSION along with SUSAN RYAN and others. Susan is the publisher of The Fan Fiction Magazine Rooftop Sessions. We urge participation in these events, for your own enjoyment.
ROBERT FREEMAN: A PRIVATE VIEW PHOTO EXHIBIT
The Beatles favorite photographer ROBERT FREEMAN, was our Special Guest a few years back. By special arrangement, we have obtained his amazing A PRIVATE VIEW PHOTO EXHIBIT. Robert sends his best and hopes you enjoy the exhibit.
THE BEATLES ALBUM, 45RPM AND EP COVERS EXHIBIT
DAVID RAUH returns after a year's absence, with his fantastic collection of Album Covers , 45 RPM Picture Sleeves and EPs from around the world. He will be setting up special exhibits for Sgt. Pepper to celebrate its milestone.
LISTEN ON LINE PRESENTS THE FEST FOR BEATLES FANS 2007 LIVE ON THE INTERNET
For the 10th year, Warren Melnick & Listen On Line. will be holding a Live Web Broadcast for those of you who cannot attend in person. Go to www.thefestforbeatlesfans.com or their site www.listenonline.net.
THE FEST 2007 CHARITIES - $475,000.00 RAISED IN 32 YEARS
Charity has always been an important aspect of our shows. We continue to raise money for (John & Yoko's) SPIRIT FOUNDATION and COALITION TO STOP GUN VIOLENCE. We thank Yoko for her continued support and for donating so many signed pieces over the years. There will be Charity Raffles over the weekend, in this very special aspect of our convention.
All You Need Is Love,
Mark and Carol Lapidos
THE FEST FOR BEATLES FANS 2007 IS DEDICATED, WITH LOVE, TO JOHN LENNON AND GEORGE HARRISON.
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