American music festival
The Fest for Beatles Fans Poster for 2024 convention
Status Active Genre The Beatles Frequency Twice per year Locations New York Metro area, Chicago Country United States Inaugurated September 1974 Founder Mark Lapidos Website www
The Fest for Beatles Fans (previously known asBeatlefest ) is a twice-annual, three-day festival that honors the lasting legacy ofthe Beatles . The festival takes place in the New York metropolitan area, ordinarily in March or April, and in Chicago, Illinois, each August. Running Friday through Sunday, the Fest features special guests, live concerts, exhibits, art contests, a Beatles marketplace, a sound-alike contest, a Battle of the Beatles Bands, and more.
The Fest for Beatles Fans began in 1974 after founder Mark Lapidos[ 1] John Lennon during an encounter at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Lapidos asked Lennon for permission, to which Lennon replied, "I’m all for it! I’m a Beatles fan too!"[ 2] [ 3]
The first Fest, titledBeatlefest '74 , took place over the weekend of 14–15 September 1974 at theCommodore Hotel in New York City.[ 4] [ 2] BBC TV andApple Corps in London; both organisations supplied archive films and promotional clips, some of which had never been seen in the US.[ 4] Paul McCartney , a table fromGeorge Harrison , and autographed drumsticks fromRingo Starr .[ 4] [ 5] May Pang , his girlfriend at the time, went in his place, with instructions to buy any interesting-looking memorabilia.Melody Maker Chris Charlesworth helped Pang select items.[ 4] Beatlefest '74 was recognized on the cover ofRolling Stone [ 6]
Since its inception in 1974, the Fest has taken place every year in the New York Metropolitan area, except for the first two years of theCOVID-19 pandemic .[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13]
For the 60th anniversary of the Beatles landing in America at JFK airport, The Fest for Beatles Fans was held at the newTWA Hotel at JFK Airport, whose main public spaces are in the historic Eero Saarinen TWA flight Center where the Beatles landed.[ 14]
Lapidos' 1977 application for aregistered trademark onBeatlefest was granted by theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office in 1979 but challenged byApple Corps in 1997 and ceded by Lapidos in 2002;[ 15] The Fest for Beatles Fans has been used.[ 16]
Events and activities [ edit ] Among the events and activities at the Fest for Beatles Fans are nightly concerts by Beatles tribute band Liverpool, appearances and performances by various musical guests, photo exhibits, a Beatles museum and art contest, a Beatles sound-alike contest, the Battle of the Beatles Bands, panels and discussions with authors and Beatles experts, movie screenings, live auctions, puppet shows, and a Beatles marketplace. In 2014, the Fest included a bus trip toJFK Airport to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' arrival in America.[ 17]
Since its inception in 1974, the Fest has hosted hundreds of special guests, including:
Randy Bachman , Canadian musician and founder ofThe Guess Who andBachman–Turner Overdrive [ 18] Pete Best , drummer for theBeatles before being replaced by Ringo Starr[ 19] [ 20] Gregg Bissonette , drummer forRingo Starr & His All-Starr Band [ 21] Blac Rabbit , American psychedelic rock band who gained popularity covering Beatles music[ 22] Glen Burtnik , performed withBeatlemania Styx andthe Orchestra ; performs in Fest house band Liverpool[ 23] Howie Casey , saxophonist forTony Sheridan 's Beat Brothers, Liverpool band Howie Casey & the Seniors, andWings [ 24] Chad & Jeremy , 1960s English folk rock duo[ 25] [ 26] Jon Cobert , Grammy Award-nominated pianist who performed with John Lennon[ 22] Spencer Davis , leader and guitarist forthe Spencer Davis Group [ 24] Micky Dolenz , drummer and lead singer forthe Monkees [ 27] [ 21] Donovan , Rock and Roll Hall of Famer[ 9] [ 25] [ 26] [ 28] Richie Havens , singer, guitarist, songwriter[ 24] Greg Hawkes , keyboardist forthe Cars , played keyboards for McCartney[ 29] Steve Holley ,Laurence Juber ,Denny Laine ,Henry McCullough , andDenny Seiwell – former members ofPaul McCartney & Wings [ 25] [ 30] [ 31] [ 32] [ 33] [ 21] Jim Horn , saxophonist/flutist on solo recordings by all four Beatles[ 24] Brett Hudson , vocalist, guitarist and bassist for theHudson Brothers [ 29] Mark Hudson , member of the Hudson Brothers, Ringo Starr's producer for ten years[ 8] [ 20] [ 27] [ 33] [ 34] Neil Innes , musician forBonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band ,Monty Python andThe Rutles , performed at theConcert for George [ 8] [ 25] Billy J. Kramer , 1960s pop singer who recorded severalLennon–McCartney songs[ 25] [ 26] [ 35] [ 21] Jackie Lomax , vocalist/guitarist forthe Undertakers , original artist forApple Records [ 24] Gerry Marsden , leader of the British Merseybeat band,Gerry and the Pacemakers [ 36] Mike McCartney , vocalist/writer forThe Scaffold as Mike McGear, Paul McCartney's younger brother[ 24] Delbert McClinton , singer/songwriter, taught John Lennon how to play blues harmonica[ 24] Robbie McIntosh , guitarist forthe Pretenders and the Paul McCartney backing band[ 24] Joey Molland ,Mike Gibbins , guitarist and drummer for Apple Records bandBadfinger [ 33] Chris Montez , singer/musician, toured with the Beatles[ 24] Harry Nilsson , singer-songwriter who was close with John Lennon and Ringo Starr.[ 37] [ 38] Peter Noone , lead singer ofHerman's Hermits [ 27] Roy Orbison Jr., American musician and record producer[ 18] David Peel , singer and Apple Records recording artist[ 24] Mike Pender , founding member and lead vocalist forthe Searchers [ 27] Peter and Gordon (Peter Asher andGordon Waller ), who performed at Fest conventions together and separately[ 25] [ 26] [ 35] Billy Preston , keyboardist who appeared on several Beatles tracks in the late 1960s[ 35] The Quarrymen , a British skiffle/rock and roll group formed by Lennon which eventually evolved into the Beatles[ 11] Mark Rivera , saxophonist who played with Lennon and toured withRingo Starr and His All-Starr Band [ 27] [ 34] [ 21] Tom Scott , saxophonist on solo recordings by Harrison, Starr and McCartney[ 24] Tony Sheridan , singer-songwriter and guitarist who was an early collaborator with the Beatles[ 39] Earl Slick , guitarist for New York Dolls, Phantom, Rocker & Slick, Silver Condor; sideman for the John Lennon andDavid Bowie "Fame " sessions[ 29] The Smithereens , American rock band influenced by the Beatles who released two albums of Beatles covers[ 25] Ronnie Spector , singer and former member ofthe Ronettes [ 40] Hamish Stuart , guitarist forAverage White Band and the Paul McCartney backing band[ 24] Terry Sylvester , English guitarist/singer withThe Escorts ,The Swinging Blue Jeans andThe Hollies [ 41] Doris Troy , singer and Apple Records recording artist[ 24] Lon & Derrek Van Eaton , singers/guitarists and brothers, Apple Records recording artists[ 24] Klaus Voormann , met the Beatles in Hamburg in the early 1960s, designed the cover ofRevolver [ 42] Alan White , drummer for John Lennon, George Harrison andYes [ 43] Andy White , drummer on "Love Me Do "[ 24] Gary Wright , recorded with George Harrison and Ringo Starr, toured with the All-Starr Band[ 42] [ 44] Roy Young , piano player, Tony Sheridan's Beat Brothers, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Roy Young Band[ 24] Nancy Lee Andrews , former international model turned photographer, formerly engaged to Ringo Starr[ 45] Aaron Badgley , music critic, radio host ofBeatles Universe , and author ofDark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison's Post-Beatles Record Label [ 46] [ 47] [ 48] Tony Barrow , Beatles press officer who coined the phrase "The Fab Four"[ 49] Sid Bernstein , booked The Beatles atCarnegie Hall andShea Stadium [ 49] Jenny Boyd , model, sister to Pattie Boyd, former wife ofMick Fleetwood [ 21] Pattie Boyd , the former wife ofGeorge Harrison andEric Clapton [ 9] Al Brodax , producer ofThe Beatles Yellow Submarine [ 20] Chris Carter , Los Angeles-based disc jockey who hostsBreakfast with the Beatles [ 33] Alan Clayson , pop music historian who wrote a book on each Beatle[ 50] Ray Coleman , biographer of Lennon and McCartney[ 36] Ken Dashow , disc jockey at New York City's WAXQ "Q104.3" classic rock radio, Fest MC[ 22] Jack Douglas , Grammy Award-winning record producer forDouble Fantasy [ 51] Geoff Emerick , engineer for the Beatles 1966–69, producer for Paul McCartney[ 24] Bob Eubanks , before gaining fame as the host ofThe Newlywed Game Hollywood Bowl [ 52] [ 53] Prudence Farrow , author and film producer, subject of the Beatles song "Dear Prudence "[citation needed Robert Freeman , photographer for four Beatles album covers[ 8] [ 20] Bob Gruen , photo–journalist and author[ 34] Terri Hemmert , Chicago DJ atWXRT-FM , Fest MC in Chicago since 1978[ 35] Larry Kane , Philadelphia television news anchor, the only American journalist to accompany the Beatles on their 1964–1965 American tours[ 20] [ 26] [ 34] [ 49] Freda Kelly , secretary for the Beatles and Epstein, president of the Beatles fan club[ 21] Astrid Kirchherr , met the Beatles in Hamburg in the early 1960s, took early photographs of the group, and dated former bassistStuart Sutcliffe [ 10] Cynthia Lennon , John Lennon's first wife[ 54] Martin Lewis , Beatles historian, Fest MC for over 20 years[ 34] Mark Lewisohn , Beatles historian and author[ 34] Ken Mansfield , former manager of Apple Records[ 43] Bruce Morrow , American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie[citation needed Jack Oliver, former President of Apple Records (1969-1971)[ 55] May Pang attended the first Beatlefest where she purchased a photograph that became the cover of Lennon'sRock 'n' Roll [ 4] Alan Parsons , engineer for the Beatles 1969–70, musician, leader ofthe Alan Parsons Project [ 24] Paul Saltzman , film and TV producer/director, joinedthe Beatles in India [ 20] [ 56] Ken Scott ,Beatles engineer 1967-69[ 24] Norman Smith , Beatles engineer 1962–65, record producer, singer, premiered his memoir at the March 2007 convention[ 57] Victor Spinetti , Welsh actor who appeared in the Beatles filmsA Hard Day's Night Help! Magical Mystery Tour [ 35] Bruce Spizer , Beatles historian and author[ 20] [ 34] Alistair Taylor , personal assistant of Beatles' managerBrian Epstein , General Manager ofApple Corps [ 35] [ 58] Vivek Tiwary , author of the graphic novelThe Fifth Beatle [ 41] Kenneth Womack , Beatles historian and biographer of record producerGeorge Martin [ 24] ^ Hester, Jere (January 24, 2014)."Fascination with Beatles continues to grow long after Fab Four's infamous breakup" .Daily News . New York. ^a b "History of The Fest" . The Fest for Beatles Fans. RetrievedJanuary 25, 2015 .^ Lapidos, Mark (April 1, 2007). "Preface: The Beatles, In My Life". In Berman, Garry (ed.).11 –14.ISBN 978-1-59580-032-9 ^a b c d e Badman, Keith (2001).The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the Break-Up 1970–2001 132– 33.ISBN 978-0-7119-8307-6 ^ Robinson, Lisa (April 22, 2014).There Goes Gravity: A Life in Rock and Roll ISBN 978-1-101-63208-6 ^ "Strange Rumblings in Pepperland".Rolling Stone . October 24, 1974. ^ Mosca, David (March 23, 2022)."Get back! The Fest for Beatles Fans Returns After a Two Year Hiatus" .NJ.com . The Jersey Journal. RetrievedMarch 25, 2023 . ^a b c d Beggy, Carol; Shanahan, Mark (November 10, 2003)."Beatlemania rocks Danvers; Red Sox GM turns Esquire 'rebel' .Boston Globe ^a b c Brown, Joe (June 30, 2008)."Embracing commercialism" .Las Vegas Sun ^a b "The Guide: Fairs, Fetes & Fests" .Los Angeles ^a b Badman, Keith (October 27, 2009).The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the break-up, 1970-2001 ISBN 978-0-85712-001-4 ^ Badman, Keith (2001).The Beatles Diary Volume 2: After the break-up, 1970-2001 ISBN 978-0-85712-001-4 ^ Beckerman, Jim (March 18, 2015)."Fest for Beatle Fans, this weekend, enters fifth decade" .The Record . RetrievedMarch 28, 2015 . ^ "Fest For Beatles Fans NYC 2024" .facebook . RetrievedJune 7, 2024 .^ "Case 73118612 Beatlefest" .Trademark Status & Document Retrieval . USPTO. RetrievedJuly 3, 2020 .^ Gerber, Michael (July 23, 2015)."The Future of Beatlefest" .Hey Dullblog . RetrievedJuly 3, 2020 . ^ "The Fest for Beatles Fans 2014" .Time Out . New York. January 13, 2014.^a b "44th Annual Fest For Beatles Fans Announced, 3/9 - 11" .Broadway World . February 9, 2018.^ Kane, Larry (July 30, 2013).When They Were Boys: The True Story of the Beatles' Rise to the Top 141 , 246, 248.ISBN 978-0-7624-4014-6 ^a b c d e f g Hoffman, Dave (March 26, 2004)."Back in Secaucus Thirtieth Fest for Beatles Fans celebrates 4Oth anniversary of Fab Four's arrival in States" .Hudson Reporter ^a b c d e f g Krasner, Bob (February 14, 2024)."Come together: Three-day 'Fest for Beatles Fans' marks 60 years since Fab Four arrived in America, and changed music forever" .The Villager . ^a b c Beckerman, Jim (March 26, 2019)."Beatles Fest celebrates an iconic album, and an iconic hoax" .North Jersey Record . ^ "Glen Burtnik" . Styxtoury.com. RetrievedAugust 23, 2015 .^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Fest Guests 1974-2013" . The Fest for Beatles Fans.^a b c d e f g Kozinn, Allan (January 31, 2014)."Beatle Fans Hear Yesterday Again" .The New York Times . ^a b c d e Farber, Jim (February 4, 2014)."New York City celebrates 50 years of the Beatles with special events" .Daily News . New York. ^a b c d e Mikrut, Michael (August 25, 2014)."Peter Noone Performing at The Fest for Beatles Fans Chicago 2014" .People and Places . Leydon Township, IL. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2015 . ^ "Donovan Plays Concert at Fest for Beatles Fans, New York City, February 7/8/9, Also He Will Give a Talk 'Meditation & The White Album' . Donovan Official Website. January 2014. RetrievedJanuary 25, 2015 .^a b c Program from 2008 August 22–24 Chicago Beatlefest ^ 1997 "Wings" photo page by Michael Cimino Archives Archived December 1, 2008, at theWayback Machine .^ "Wings Alumni to Take Flight" . ClassicRockCentral.com. July 10, 2007. Archived fromthe original on August 26, 2007.^ Rodriguez, Robert (2010).Fab Four FAQ 2.0: The Beatles' Solo Years, 1970-1980 ISBN 978-0-87930-968-8 ^a b c d Gomez, Sal (October 29, 2014)."Entertainment Corner: The Fest for Beatles Fans" .Mid Valley News . El Monte, CA. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2015 . ^a b c d e f g "Guests - New York City" . The Fest for Beatles Fans. 2014. Archived fromthe original on November 14, 2013.^a b c d e f Grochowski, John (August 8, 2012)."Fest for Beatles Fans: Yeah, yeah, yeah!" .Chicago Sun-Times . Archived fromthe original on August 13, 2012. ^a b Gehman, Geoff (April 23, 1980)."Covering The Beat At Beatlefest Reverence, Reminiscences And Revenues Spark New York Event For '90, Reporter Finds" .The Morning Call . ^ Nilsson, Harry (2010).Who is Harry Nilsson? (And Why is Everyone Talkin' About Him?) Lorber Films . Archived fromthe original (DVD) on June 9, 2011. ^ Shipton, Alyn (August 8, 2013).Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter 256– 257.ISBN 978-0-19-975657-5 ^ Johnson, Joe (February 17, 2013)."RIP Tony Sheridan" .Beatle Brunch Club News . RetrievedFebruary 2, 2015 . ^ Kessler, Jude (August 14, 2009)."Live from the Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans" . BeatlesNews.com. RetrievedJanuary 25, 2015 . ^a b Abrams, Erika (August 19, 2015)."Why the 2015 Chicago Fest For Beatles Fans Was the Best One Yet" .REBEAT Magazine . RetrievedAugust 23, 2015 . ^a b "Biography" . Klaus Voormann. RetrievedJanuary 25, 2015 .^a b Valadez, Eloise Marie (August 8, 2019)."Explore everything 'Fab Four' at The Fest for Beatles Fans" . nwitimes.com. ^ Johnson, Joe (August 24, 2010)."Beatle Brunch Newsletter" . RetrievedJanuary 25, 2015 . ^ Abrams, Erika (March 23, 2015)."NY Metro Fest for Beatles Fans: Day 3 Recap and Wrap-Up" .REBEAT Magazine . RetrievedAugust 23, 2015 . ^ Julien, Alexander (August 28, 2024)."An Interview With Music Journalist and Biographer Aaron Badgley" .It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. RetrievedAugust 28, 2024 .^ Kennedy, Mike (February 12, 2024)."Aaron Badgley Interview" .Apple Podcasts the original on March 6, 2024. RetrievedMarch 5, 2024 . ^ Pearce, Nigel (January 28, 2024)."January 28, 2024 from 3-5 pm Aaron Badgley Interview" .Groove Britain .Future Radio . RetrievedJanuary 8, 2024 . ^a b c Barrow, Tony (2005).John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me: The Real Beatles Story ISBN 1-56025-882-9 ^ Clayson, Alan (April 22, 1992)."Chicago Breakdown" .The Beat Goes On . ^ "Fest for Beatles Fans celebrates the Fab 4" . ABC7 Chicago. August 12, 2018.^ "Fest For Beatles Fans 2014 Invades Airport Marriott" . Hollywood Revealed. October 12, 2014. RetrievedMarch 28, 2015 .^ "L.A. Fest a Hit With Beatles Fans" . Something New. October 21, 2014. RetrievedMarch 28, 2015 .^ "Cynthia at Beatlefest" . Meet the Beatles for Real. February 14, 2012.^ Germain, Rory (March 26, 2015)."Fest for Beatles Fans 2015" .Melo . Thisismelo.com. RetrievedAugust 23, 2015 . ^ Schultz, Linda, ed. (2004).Tales of the Awesome Foursome: Beatles Fans Share Personal Stories and Memories of the Fab Four ISBN 0-7414-2079-1 ^ Hughes, Rob (2008)."Legendary Pink Floyd Producer Hurricane Dies" .Uncut ^ Patterson, R. Garry (October 29, 1998).The Walrus Was Paul: The Great Beatle Death Clues ISBN 0-684-85062-1
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Cover ofRolling Stone, October 24, 1974
