What a weekend it was!! With so much Beatles excitement around, the FEST FOR BEATLES FANS 2009 CHICAGO was the perfect place to be last weekend. Paul performed in Atlanta on the Saturday night and a FEST regular took the last flight back to Chicago so he could join us. He has some photos and said that Paul was in great form (of course). Then there was the buzz of the 09.09.09 releases of both the Beatles Remastered Box Sets and the Beatles RockBand. Bruce Spizer had a Q & A session on the main stage with Matt Hurwitz talking about the box sets and why they are a must for all Beatles fans. See further down for our very special offers on the Box Sets.
The RockBand Demo Room at the FEST had a continuous stream of fans trying it out and we heard nothing but positive feedback about it.
Our Special Guests were a terrific mix of musicians from various points in the Beatles careers, starting with the one and only Ronnie Spector, who graciously spoke about her association with The Beatles, and George and John in particular. She greeted fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures for everyone who waited in line. Her appearance with Liverpool was definitely a show stopper, performing Baby I Love You, Try Some Buy Some, My Sweet Lord, and the classic Be My Baby. Our condolences go out to Earl Slick and his family. His father passed away the night before the fEST and he still showed up by late Saturday afternoon to do his talk and performing at night. He played a mean guitar two of John’s songs that he appeared on: I’m Losing You and Nobody Told Me. Greg Hawkes showed off his musicianship during his Ukelele Concert and playing one of is Cars’ hit My Best Friend’s Girl. He also led the World Record Attempt for A Ukelele ensemble. Around 100 ukes joined in for a rousing version of Love Me Do. No record was set, but it was lots of fun. Mark Hudson added a tribute to Michael Jackson with a super version of Say Say Say with Liverpool. Brother Brett joined in and there was loads of Rock and Roll to enjoy. In Honor of its 40th anniversary, Liverpool performed both sides of Abbey Road in their entirety (Side 1 on Sat and Side 2 on Sun) Speaking of Anniversaries, it was 40 years ago TODAY (August 22, 1969) that The Beatles had their final photo session!!
There were more Photo and Art Exhibits than ever before and they were a treat to all who viewed them. The Beatles Trivial Pursuit was world premiered over the weekend and we had daily competitions based on its questions. Needless to say it was the bestselling item at the FEST over the weekend. The Sunday Musician’s Forum saw Steve Holley join our other musical guests for perhaps the best session we ever had. There were many participants in all contests this year – Art, Sound-Alikes, Kid’s Trivia, Name That Tune and 13 bands in the Battle of the Bands, won by The Bugs. Congrats to these young fans who wowed the crowd.
The Original & Longest Running Beatles Celebration, Since 1974!
0I47 had a great time in Chicago I can’t hardly wait till next year’s fest we hope for the fest to return to Vegas in 2010 it’s gonna be a great 40th anniversary for the Let it Be album. Danny bag of donuts was hysterical and hilarious, I cannot wait till 09-09-09
the Bugs were awesome I will remember them if they ever make it big since I got their card I heard they were performing at
the Blockbuster Video store in Elgin, Illinois on September 8th, to celebrate the Beatles Rock Band game’s release. The highlight of the weekend was when the Commoners had pizza and jammed on Monday morning I went to the Beatles Cartoon display to shake hands with and say hi to the man who caricatured the Beatles, Ron Campbell then I went to the trivia contest, and I answered 18 out of 20 questions, and I won a 09-09-09 shirt, a 09-09-09 pin, and a Blockbuster Video free rental card next I went to the “Beatles are coming!” exhibit by Bruce Spizer. I went to the Beatles Trivial Pursuit individual commpetition I picked the categories Movies and On their Own and I answered both questions. I went to the marketplace to spend my well-saved earned money, I bought a book a shirt, a pin, a poster and a dvd and I bought shirts for Connor and Kane.
I went to the Beatles Rock Band demo I sucked on bass, on Taxman and I scored Fab and Double Fab on Beatles Rock Band.
Me and grandma entered the look-alike contest, as Sgt. Pepper Paul and George and we didn’t get any applause the audience liked the tall guy in the Sgt. Pepper Paul costume.
When we got to Chicago my thought was we would meet grandma at the airport, but we met her at our hotel.
WE WERE THERE ON SUNDAY THE 16TH IT WAS ONE OF THE BEST FEST WE EVER WENT TO. WE REALY ENJOYED THE VARIETY OF TALENT THAT WAS IN THE SHOW. LIVERPOOL SOUNDED GREAT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE ELDORADO IN CHICAGO P.S. BEATLES FOREVER
Beatle Fest 2009 @ Rosemont, IL
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music
I finally went to my 1st event! I’d dealt w/ Mark for yrs. & yrs. buying T shirts, socks, undies,CDs,DVDs, & many other Beatle items….
but now, my boy & I were headed up north to the big c “CHICAGO”!
We made it in one quick,sweet, sweep up I 55 stopping @ OHare Oasis finally
just miles from our destination Then it got a little trickier.When we made it to the HYATT REGENCY @ Rosemont, IL it was about 10 pm or so….
When we made our way up the enormous,eloquent, stairway I looked over & saw
Mark & his drop-dead gorgeous wife Carol sitting w/ what looked like some very serious VIP’s….
My son & I were awestruck by the luxurious hotel, & in partcular the executive suite.This is a beautiful facility.Relaxation until Mickie Ds for breakfast the next day.Waiting!Waiting!Waiting, until finally on Friday August 13th pm it was time.
Mark Laidos on stage w/ legendary DJ Terri Hemmert for the kickoff! She has the perfect radio voice! I respect her enourmosly!
okay let’s go check out the Art Galleries……
Nancy Lee Andrews (former Ringo girlfriend), world renown Beatle Artist Shannon, they were all so fab, but my highlight of the trip was meeting Mr. Bruce Spizer. His humanity & humility were quite refreshing to this guy. The absolute largest Beatle market I’ve ever seen was a bit overwelming, my brain went on meltdown for a while……….
Good music, good people, great times!
I loved it!
peace & love,
Big Steve
It was an unforgettable fest for me. Ronnie Spector was an absolute angel, very gracious to everyone. She is truly the coolest! Liverpool was great as always, playing the Beatles’ songs like no one else and backing up the featured guests. It is always so sad to leave the fest…it’s kind of like a weekend in Strawberry Fields.
Peace and Love to all,
P.S I love you Sue, ma belle, wouldn’t have made it without you!
me and my uncle joe and friend gerald went on the sunday. one of the best times ive ever had. liverpool was awesome. im only 13 and love the beatles and i cant believe a group of 11 year olds won battle of the bands.