IN OUR 36 YEAR HISTORY:
DENNY LAINEFounding Member of Wings
Co-Wrote Mull of Kintyre with Paul
Founding Member of Moody Blues
DENNY LAINE was a founding member of Wings (with Paul & Linda) in 1971 and remained a core part of the band until it broke up. Denny co-wrote Paul’s biggest solo hit in the UK - Mull of Kintyre. Denny, also a founding member of the Moody Blues, burst onto the scene in 1965 with his bluesy rock vocals on Go Now. It has been 15 years since Denny was a guest and we are thrilled to welcome him back. Denny’s new CD Storyteller will be available at The FEST. Denny, along with fellow band mate from Wings, Denny Seiwell, will be performing Wings songs with LIVERPOOL on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.
DENNY SEIWELLFirst Drummer for Wings
DENNY SEIWELL is one of the busiest session Drummers in Los Angeles. In 1971, Denny was hired by Paul to join him on the Ram album session in NYC in 1971. Paul must have liked what he heard, as later that year, he was asked to join Wings. In the two years with Wings, he played on two of Paul’s biggest hits, My Love & Live & Let Die. Denny was here two years ago, but we couldn’t have one Denny without the other!!!
SPENCER DAVISFounder of The Spencer Davis Group
Gimme Some Lovin' and I'm A Man
Part of the Swingin' London Scene
SPENCER DAVIS was the founder/leader of the legendary Spencer Davis Group (featuring a young Steve Winwood) who scored multiple hits in the 1960s including two of rock music's most iconic songs - Gimme Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man (both songs featured in many movies and commercials). The rise of Spencer's band to popularity ran parallel to the Beatles and the two bands frequently socialized in the clubs of 60's Swingin' London. Spencer became good friends with the Fabs and has lots of great Beatles stories including his memories of the filming of the Magical Mystery Tour. The Spencer Davis Group also toured with the Rolling Stones and The Who. With such a rich involvement in the British music scene, Spencer has great insights into the Beatles and the music of the 1960s. This is his first appearance at our NY METRO FEST and of course, he will perform his hits with LIVERPOOL!
ANDREW LOOG OLDHAMFirst London Beatles Press Agent, Manager and
Producer of The Rolling Stones
Manager/producer/rock pimpresario/author/radio host - ANDREW LOOG OLDHAM was one of the pioneering figures in the 1960s music world and had many involvements with the Beatles. In early 1963, while working as a publicist, he was engaged by Brian Epstein as the first London press agent to work on the Beatles. Subsequently he uncovered, managed and produced the Rolling Stones - consciously positioning them as arch-rivals to the Beatles. It was Andrew who, at the time he was searching for a song for the Rolling Stones’ second single, bumped into his friends (and former clients) John and Paul outside a London tube station. John and Paul obliged with "I Wanna Be Your Man", which became the Stones’ first UK Top Ten hit. Andrew guided the Stones from 1963 to the end of 1967. One of the last of his many triumphs for the Stones was getting John and Paul to sing on the Stones' 1967 hit "We Love You" - Andrew's 13th Stones single and his grand finale for the band. In addition to the Stones, Andrew was the guiding hand behind Marianne Faithfull, the Small Faces, Humble Pie and seminal early recordings of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Rod Stewart, Nico, and Fleetwood Mac on his Immediate Records label. He also did publicity work for Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Chris Montez and the Beach Boys. As a central figure in the music industry, Andrew knew Stones business manager Allen Klein well, and he was a witness to Klein's later involvement with the Beatles. He is the author of two acclaimed memoirs - "Stoned" and "2Stoned". Since 2005, he has hosted a daily radio show heard worldwide on Steven Van Zandt's Underground Garage radio channel on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio. In 2007 he had a reunion with Paul McCartney when presenting the Adrian Millar Scholarship at Paul’s Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts.
CHRIS O'DELLWorked for The Beatles at Apple,
George & Pattie's Assistant,
George wrote Miss O'Dell about Chris
CHRIS O'DELL, a southern California girl, moved to England to try to get a job at Apple in 1968. She ended up there for a few years and got to know and work with The Beatles doing all sorts of jobs for them. Later on, she lived at George’s Friar Park home as an assistant to George and Pattie. Her book Miss O’Dell, is the ultimate fly-on-the-wall memoir. The book is named after the song that George wrote about Chris (the B-side to Give Me Love). It is packed with revelations, intimate insights and history making moments. Chris was in the studio at times during the White Album and Abbey Road sessions and sings in the chorus on Hey Jude. She became one of the first female tour managers, worked on the Bangla Desh concerts, and was a bridesmaid at Eric Clapton and Pattie’s wedding. She is still very close with Pattie, our guest in 2008. Chris also was The Rolling Stones' personal assistant in their 1972 tour. We welcome Miss O'Dell to her first FEST as she joins us all three days.
BILLY J. KRAMER
British Invasion Rocker
Had Hits With Four
Lennon/McCartney Songs
BILLY J. KRAMER, along with his backing band the Dakotas, was discovered and managed by The Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Three of his biggest hits were written specially for him by John and Paul - Bad To Me, I’ll Keep You Satisfied and From A Window. His first hit was one of the first ever covers of a Lennon/McCartney song - Do You Want To Know A Secret. Billy, who grew up in Liverpool, saw the Fabs perform many times in their early days and became good pals with the lads. It was John Lennon who helped Billy come up with his stage name. This is Billy’s first scheduled appearance at the NY METRO FEST in eight years. He will be on hand all weekend, talking about the 60s music scene, his friendship with The Beatles, and, of course, will be bringing his classics to life with LIVERPOOL on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.
CHRIS MONTEZHeadlined Beatles UK Tour in 1963
A & M Recording Artist
Chris Montez Story Movie Premiere
CHRIS MONTEZ had a top 10 hit in 1962, Let’s Dance, which led to a tour in the UK with Tommy Roe. The opening act was a new English group – The Beatles! Chris got to know them pretty well and will talk about his unique perspective of what was going on around the tour at the time. Chris is from L.A. and was influenced by the Hispanic culture and rock and roll success of Ritchie Valens. In 1965, he signed with Herb Alpert’s A & M label and had major hits with The More I See You and Call Me. Brett Hudson and Burt Kearns have made a film on his life – The Chris Montez Story, which we will be previewing at THE FEST. Chris will also perform some of his hits with LIVERPOOL.
MARK HUDSON-(right)
Ringo's Producer
For 10 Years
New CD - The Artist
BRETT HUDSON-(left)
Premiers New Film
Chris Montez Story
MARK HUDSON (right) has been an integral part of our music presentations for the past 8 years. His knowledge of the entire spectrum of music is truly remarkable. Plus, he is an admitted Beatlemaniac. During his 10 years as Ringo’s Producer, Mark had the chance to work with Paul, George and dozens of other music legends. Mark also produced Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Ozzy Osbourne. The Sunday afternoon Musician's Forum with all the musical guests is always a highlight of the weekend, and it is headed by Mark with Martin Lewis. Mark has a new CD out called, The Artist. It is available through our webstore (signed) and at THE FEST.
Last year, BRETT HUDSON treated us to a sneak premiere of his film The 7th Python- The Neil Innes Story. This year, Brett and his partner Burt Kearns are finishing up The Chris Montez Story and have agreed to another sneak premiere of the film. It will shown as an Earlybird Special on Saturday morning at 11:00AM. Chris will join Brett in introducing the film and will have a Q & A session on the making of it. Brett will also be around all weekend to join in the jams with his brother Mark and our other musical guests.
ALLAN TANNENBAUMNYC Photographer
John & Yoko Photo Exhibit
ALLAN TANNENBAUM – Photographer and Author of John & Yoko: A New York Love Story. Allan will be talking about his experiences as one of the few who had access to John & Yoko in late 1980. He will also be setting up his amazing Photo Exhibit at The FEST.
LIVERPOOL
World's Finest Beatles
Tribute Band
LIVERPOOL 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, performing a vast majority of Beatles and solo songs, plus jamming with dozens of great musical guests over the years. Of course, they will be playing at the Friday Night Dance Party as well as Concerts on Saturday and Sunday evenings. DREW HILL, CHRIS CAMILLERI, JOHN MERJAVE and GLEN BURTNIK will be backing SPECIAL GUESTS Denny Laine, Denny Seiwell, Spencer Davis, Billy J. Kramer, Chris Montez, Mark & Brett Hudson and maybe some other surprises for some great live entertainment. www.liverpooltheband.com
SID BERNSTEINthe man who brought the Beatles to Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium at the height of beatlemania, will be on hand on Saturday and Sunday.
ANDY BABIUK
ANDY BABIUK's book, Beatles Gear was the official technical reference book for The Beatles Rock Band. A new updated edition of the book has just been published. Andy is currently a member of The Chesterfield Kings, a band that can be heard on the Underground Garage channel on Sirius! . It has been eight years since Andy has joined us and we welcome him back.
BRUCE SPIZER
BRUCE SPIZER has been a guest author at every FEST since 1998. As the top authority on U.S. releases of Beatles recordings, he has brand new A/V Presentations for the new decade. One of the subjects Bruce has chosen is the Paul is Dead rumors that began in October 1969.
JUDE SOUTHERLAND KESSLERreturns for her third NY METRO FEST. As the author of the 800 page novel on John's life up to 1961, Shoulda Been There, Jude has uncovered new information about John. She is working on the follow up book, which will pick up in 1962. She will be talking about that one at THE FEST and letting us know the progress of it.
JOHN STEVENS
author of The Songs of John Lennon, returns for another discussion on Saturday. As a Music Professor at the Berklee School of Music, he shares his great knowledge of John's music. The Professor is working on a follow up book, covering John's solo career.
KRIS ENGLEHARDT,author of The Beatles Deeper Undercover has added many new interviews and information to his original 1998 book which explores the origins and evolution of The Beatles contributions to other artists' music. We welcome Kris back after many years. The book will be world premiered at THE FEST.
STEPHEN SPIGNESI & MICHAEL LEWIS, return for another heated discussion based on their opinionated book, now retitled The 100 Best Beatles Songs.
JUDITH KRISTEN
has taken 46 years to tell her story, but she finally did in a Brand New book called A Date With A Beatle. She joins us for the first time.
THE FAB FOURUM
was created in 2009 as an online place to discuss various Beatles topics. They recently sat down with Ringo in a Roundtable talk, so Ringo and his new CD Y-Not will definitely be one of the topics they will be discussing. www.fabfourum.com
GARY SOHMERS
appears as an appraiser in Collectibles, Memorabilia and Toys on the PBS television program “Antiques Roadshow”. You must bring the items with you for his Free Appraisals. In lieu of his services, Gary welcomes charity donations.
MARTIN LEWIS
humorist-writer-producer and leading Beatles scholar
His Fab-related work started 43 years ago (as a teenager!) when he compiled the discography for their authorized biography by Hunter Davies. He started his career as a protegé of Beatles publicist Derek Taylor in the early 1970s. His multiple Beatles-related credits include producing and marketing the DVD editions of “A Hard Day's Night" and “The Beatles On Ed Sullivan”. He was consultant for "The Beatles Anthology", "Live At The BBC", Paul McCartney's "Music & Animation", George Martin's "In My Life", Michael Lindsay-Hogg's "Two Of Us" and Julie Taymor's "Across The Universe". He instigated the Rutles reunion and produced their "Archaeology" album. He has worked as producer-writer-host and/or marketing strategist on various film/TV/DVD/record/radio/stage projects with Paul, Ringo, Yoko, George Martin and Julian Lennon. He instigated and produced the 40th anniversary celebrations of The Beatles’ first US visit the private 40th anniversary cast & crew reunion of “A Hard Day’s Night” (attended by Paul) and in 2008 he instigated NASA beaming “Across The Universe” into outer space (with blessings from Paul and Yoko). He has been Master of Ceremonies at all our NY and Western USA (L.A./Vegas) conventions since 1992 and a Special Guest at our Chicago Fests since 1995. This will be his 48th convention with us. See: www.MartinLewis.com
SURPRISE!! Martin is bringing his mother and fellow Beatles Fan NINA PEARL LEWIS to the U.S. to celebrate her upcoming 88th birthday and she will share stories of taking Martin to his first Beatles concert in 1963 and of her special meeting with Paul in 2004. Check out her cool website: www.NinaPearl.com
KEN DASHOW
Q104.3, New York’s Classic Rock station is Number One rated in the country. KEN DASHOW is one of the reasons why they are tops. His music knowledge is amazing and he returns to be our Co-MC. You can hear him 3PM-7PM Monday-Thursday, and has his so very popular Breakfast with The Beatles every Sunday Morning from 8-10AM. Ken is one of the top DJs ever to be heard on NYC radio and of course, his love for The Beatles is evident every single day he is on the air.
TOM FRANGIONE
Beatles writer and historian, joins us via Joe Johnson's Beatle Brunch (heard nationally on Westwood One Radio Network) to host the Live Beatles Trivia, Name That Tune and head up some of the talks in the Discussion Room. Tom is a long time friend of THE FEST, going back to the earliest conventions in the 1970s, becoming our all-time Trivia Champ! Tom writes for BeatleBrunch and Beatlefan magazine. Joe sends his regrets that he cannot join us this year.