John Lennon with Harry Nilsson in Central Park, NY 4/28/74
I, Mark Lapidos, was always a big Beatles fan and thought that somebody should do something to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Beatles arrival in America – 1964-1974. It was at the end of 1973, when the idea of BEATLEFEST just popped into my head. After a few months of deliberating I decided to take my personal savings and book the New York Commodore Hotel for the weekend of September 7-8, 1974.
I wasn’t going to do the convention without the Beatles’ permission. I didn’t think that would be right. On April 28th, 1974, I met with John Lennon in his New York City hotel room, told him my whole idea of a Beatles Fans Convention, with Special Guests, Live Concerts, Films, Art Museum and Art Contest, Flea Market, Discussions, Look-Alike and Sound-Alike Contests, Auctions, and a Charity Raffle. John’s exact response was “I’m all for it. I’m a Beatles Fan, too!” It is a moment I will never ever forget. He said he had a guitar in his attic that he would sign and donate for the Charity Raffle, which he did. John chose Phoenix House, (a drug rehab center in NYC) as the charity. All the Beatles contributed signed items to that raffle and to our amazement, we made the cover of Rolling Stone, October 24, 1974! The Beatles world has certainly changed since then, losing John in one of the most nightmarish moments the world has ever experienced, then losing George 21 years later to cancer. But Paul and Ringo keep touring the world, Beatles releases have been coming out at a regular pace and of course, the music has been successfully transferred to the next generations. The Beatles will live forever! We have had the privilege and honor to present almost everyone involved in The Beatles Story over these first 37 years and 114 National FESTS, and we look forward to many more in the future.
Great article. I’ve attended the NY conventions when I could and have thoroughly enjoyed them. I too am a lifelong Beatles fan.
It’s pretty unreal that you met John. He was my idol for a long time. I love Paul McCartney and have seen him many times in concert but John was always interesting. Music, politics, his personal views, whatever, always made an interesting read, and the world misses him.
Thanks Mark… for your dream, drive and determination to make the Fest for Beatles Fans truly the happiest place on earth! (with all respect to Walt Disney)
The Fest is wonderful for all of us Beatles fans to “Come Together” and celebrate the beautiful musical world of The Beatles.
Peace & Love!
What I would do to have been alive back then to be able to meet John Lennon!!!!
Great article!! I am soo jealous that you got to meet John Lennon!
Could you please inform me of any Midwest Beatle fests?
Thank you!
THE NEXT ONE IS CHICAGO THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 5-7. Details will be posted in 4 weeks.
Thanks, Mark for making the fest happen we did the fest in Vegas for two years
WOW Mark, great to learn about the origin of Beatlefest and your first meeting with John! Wonderfully written too. Besides his passing, my biggest heartache in life was not meeting John. Let’s talk about getting The Nu-U’s in your newsletter and perhaps at your next NJ Fest. We’re performing “Music On Main Street” in Woodbridge, NJ on Wednesday, May 11th if you and Carol can make it. Jack Petruzzelli of Fab Faux is sitting in with us too! Cheers, Rex
You had a fest in Orlando FL years ago. when are you coming back.
I was at Cental Park the day John and Harry appeared. The Raspberries. And the Chambers Brothers performed, maybe even the Brooklyn Bridge. John was funny and people were saying that Alice Cooper was in the audience. I also saw John at Madison Square Garden at the One to One concert. I can’t believe that Yoko has not re-mastered the cd and DVD for release. To this day it was one of the most amazing concerts I’ve been to. John performing “Come Together”‘ “Instant Karma” , “Imagine” etc live! Give me a break Yoko, re-master and release the DVD and the cd!
Thanks Mark, for starting it all. I remember going to the first fest for the marketplace AND to watch all the film clips and movies. I just came across the ticket from the first fest, I looked at it and thought about the great things I experienced that day!
Many years ago, great memories!!!!!!!!!!
greg fedorowicz
686 orange tree drive
orange city fl, 32763
we need a beatlefest here in daytona beach or orlando and not disney world but the new amway center, i am sure it would be real blast. i had the honor to see ringo and his all starr band with my son at the saint auguestine amphitheater and he did his music test for the concert doing (it don’t come easy).
dream weaver played by gary wright, frankenstein played by edgar winter, along with rick derringer playing guitar to name a few and everyone was having a good time. the music was perfection, and ringo sang some of his new song’s from the album (y not). anyone that has not picked up his latest album, (y not) is missing some great tunes including a duet with paul. i seen beatlemania back in 1975 in chicago years ago and i promised myself i wanted to see a beatle live on stage and it was worth the wait. if i can do it again i will, ringo and his all star’s are nothing less than a superband. i am glad ringo and paul are still kicking out that rock and roll. to all beatle fans drop a email to gfedorowicz@cfl.rr.com i would like to hear from you, god bless greg fedorowicz
we need a beatlefest here in daytona beach or orlando at the new amway arena. i am sure it would be real blast. i had the honor to see ringo and his all starr band with my son at the saint auguestine amphitheater and he did his music test for the concert doing (it don’t come easy).
dream weaver played by gary wright, frankenstein played by edgar winter, along with rick derringer playing guitar to name a few and everyone was having a good time. the music was perfection, and ringo sang some of his new song’s from the album (y not). anyone that has not picked up his latest album, (y not) is missing some great tunes including a duet with paul. i seen beatlemania back in 1975 in chicago years ago and i promised myself i wanted to see a beatle live on stage i made it happen. ringo and his all star’s are nothing less than a superband. take advantage of it if you can.to all beatle fans drop a email to gfedorowicz@cfl.rr.com i would like to hear from you, god bless greg fedorowicz
I REMEMBER JOHN IN1973
HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND TO HARRY NIELSON.
THE FIGHT IN THE NIGHT CLUB!
WALLS AND BRIDGES
I have been to at least “27” fests since you had the honor of meeting John Lennon.From The Sheraton in NYC to Chicago to Secaucus. I was even at the Palmer House in Chicago with “Abbey Road” who are dear friends of mine. You sure know how to throw a great Fest.
my daughters took me to see Ringo in Boston in 2010. i had a chance to see them in august 1966.i was only 14 i did see them drive by on their way to Suffolk Downs.I also saw George at Boston Garden i believe it was 1974. to me there will never be a group like the Beatles, they changed the music world. hope to make it to a fest someday
My best friend and I had attended NYC fests in the 70 & 80 &had an absolute blast. We saw John & Yoko outside the Dakota, I got his autograph and just recently at 51 saw Paul in concert at Yankee stadium, he was awesome!!!!!! I now can die a happy woman knowing I have seen my two favorite beatles.