Pattie Boyd - These are her very first FEST appearances.
George and Pattie first met on the set of A Hard Day’s Night and were married two years later. Pattie has written her memoirs, Wonderful Tonight – George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me.

This is her very first FEST appearance and we are thrilled and delighted she is joining us. Pattie is also setting up a special Photo and Fashion Exhibit, where all her signings will be taking place over the three days.

Billy J. Kramer
Billy along with his band The Dakotas were also managed by Brian Epstein and had 4 big hits written by Lennon/McCartney – including Bad To Me, Do You Want To Know a Secret, and I’ll Keep You Satisfied.

Billy grew up in Liverpool and befriended the fabs, seeing them in concert many times. It has been a too long 23 years since Billy has joined us in Chicago and we welcome him back.

Ken Mansfield
Apple Executive
Author of the White Book
Former U.S. Manager of Apple Records has recently put out his memoirs, called The White Book: The Beatles, The Bands, The Biz – An Insider’s Look at an Era.

Ken’s association with The Beatles goes back to the mid 1960’s and forged close personal and business relationships with them. Ken is also making is first FEST appearances as he shares his wealth of stories with the fans.

The Smithereens
On January 20, 1964 Meet The Beatles was released. On January 20, 1964 Meet The Beatles was released. On Jan. 16. 2007 Meet The Smithereens was released as a tribute to their favorite band. They have just completed a 2nd CD of Beatles songs, called B-sides The Beatles, which they plan to World Premiere in Chicago. All the songs on both CDs are given a Smithereens treatment. They will be performing most of the new CD on late Saturday Afternoon, only. It’s Jersey Beats meets the Mersey Beats!!

DENNIS DIKEN, PAT DiNIZIO, JIM BABJAK, & THRILLA are all big Beatles fans and will also play some of their 80s hits, such as A Girl Like You, Too Much Passion & Blood and Roses. You will be able to purchase their CDs at THE FEST and they will be happy to sign them for you.

Neil last joined us in Chicago in 2001 and as the writer of all the music to both Rutles albums and Mr. Ron Nasty himself, timing couldn't be better. Of course, Neil will be playing a whole bunch of Rutles songs with Liverpool, as well as treating us to some of his newest songs.

Neil's story is told in a brand new Feature Documentary, called The 7th Python. We will have the 2nd world premiere of this remarkable film on Saturday morning beginning at 11:00am (early bird special), so try to come early. One of the producers is BRETT HUDSON. Yes, Mark's brother!. He is also going to join us and Mark won't let his brother get away without performing a few songs on stage during the nightly jams.

Mark Hudson
Ringo's Producer 1997-2007
Ringo’s former producer and co-writer returns to share his great Beatles stories and kick out the jams with Liverpool and our other musical guests.

Congratulations to Mark on the wonderful work he did with Ringo on his new Liverpool 8 Album.

Liverpool:  Incredible Live Concerts
The World’s Finest Beatles Sound-Alike Band, is an integral part of our ‘FEST family’ and has 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.

They are working on a couple of special surprise sets for an anniversary!! 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 Billy J. Kramer, Neil Innes, Mark and Brett Hudson, and some or all of the members of The Smithereens.

The book comes in a slip case and this limited edition of 2,500 copies are all signed by Nancy. She will be happy to personalize it for you over the weekend. This is Nancy’s first Chicago FEST appearance.

Allan Tannenbaum
Photographer
Author of John & Yoko: A New York Love Story. He had such a good time at the NY METRO FEST in March, that he decided to join us at The Mirage in Las Vegas and in Chicago.

He will be setting up a selection of his photos and presenting fascinating Audio Visual shows with his photos and recollections.

Ian Wright
Last year in Las Vegas, Ian first shared his images from over 40 years ago with the world.

This year, he returns with a new book – On the Brink of Fame and will be setting up a Photo Exhibit in addition to talking about his experiences in the swinging 60s as a young photographer.

Bruce Spizer
After 6 amazing and authoritative books over the past 9 years, BRUCE SPIZER has turned out his final book in the Beatles U.S. Recordings series. It is called The Beatles Swan Song. However, 2007 saw Bruce expand into a Publisher with the release of Perry Cox’s Beatles Price Guide for American Records.

He will be doing two very entertaining Slide Shows this year.

Jude Southerland Kessler
was a Guest Author at the NY METRO FEST in March and Las Vegas and had such a great time, that she is coming to join us in Chicago.

Her stunning historical novel, Shoulda Been There is an 800 page look at the life of John Winston Lennon, from 1940 through 1961. 15 years of research went into this labor of love.

Terri Hemmert
Master of Ceremonies
Terri Hemmert is Chicago's #1 DJ, and has been on WXRT for over 32 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.

Martin Lewis
Beatles Historian /Panel Discussions Moderator
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 45th convention with us! Martin will have some new topics to talk about this year!. See: www.MartinLewis.com

Joe Johnson
Beatle Brunch Radio Show
• Name That Tune Contests
• DJ Personality
Beatle Brunch Host JOE JOHNSON is now on 120 stations nationwide including:
WKIO 92.5 Champaign Sunday 11:00 am
WPBG 93.3 Peoria Sunday 11 AM
WQQL 101.9 Springfield on Sunday mornings

You can meet Joe Johnson with his roving microphone at The FEST 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.www.brunchradio.com