RONNIE SPECTORWhen The Beatles arrived in 1964, RONNIE SPECTOR was one of the first U.S. singers they met up with. We are so very thrilled to welcome Ronnie as our SPECIAL GUEST for this FEST. Ronnie was the lead singer of the Ronettes, whose Be My Baby is one of Rock and Roll’s all time biggest hits.
Ronnie was particularly close with both John and George. The Beatles personally invited The Ronettes for their 1966 U.S. Tour, which turned out to be their final tour. George wrote and co-produced Try Some Buy Some for her Apple Records single. George liked it so much, he took the exact version, but with his vocals, and put it on his Living In The Material World album in 1973.
Ronnie credits her friendship with John for leading her to record with Bruce Springsteen. Ronnie, a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame, will be joining us on Saturday and Sunday, speaking of her experiences, signing autographs, and showing that the Beehived Bad Girl still knows how to rock.
VICTOR SPINETTIKnown and loved by all Beatles fans, VICTOR SPINETTI co-starred in all the Beatles movies – as the obsessed Director in A Hard Day’s Night, the nutty Scientist in Help and the Sergeant
in Magical Mystery Tour. Victor is a legend of stage and screen in the UK and recently wrote his autobiography Up Front and Strictly Confidential.
Victor is also the narrator of the new Magical Mystery Tour Memories DVD. We are delighted that his schedule will allow him to join us this year for the entire weekend.
It has been 15 years since his last visit and we welcome him back.
NEIL INNESAnother one of our favorite guests, NEIL INNES pays a return visit to mark the 3rd premiere of The 7th Python, a documentary on Neil’s amazing career, first as a member of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, to being an integral part of the Monty Python Group, The Rutles, and a long solo career.
Neil wrote all the Rutles songs and co-starred as Ron Nasty. Of course, Neil will join Liverpool for some Rutling! We will be showing the film in the Grand Ballroom starting at around 11:00am on Saturday (an earlybird special).
Neil has written a new song which he will be performing at THE FEST and it is called Imitation Song. You can hear a preview of it at his site www.neilinnes.org.
EARL SLICK
Making his first FEST appearance, guitarist EARL SLICK's connection to the Beatles story is during their solo careers.
Earl played on John and Yoko’s Double Fantasy and
Milk and Honey sessions, and then on Yoko’s next album. He also joined George and Ringo on the legendary Carl Perkin's "Blue Suede Shoes" sessions from 1985.
Earl is a member of David Bowie’s band, and played on FAME, Bowie’s duet with John Lennon from 1975. Earl is a good friend of Mark Hudson, who says Earl will really add greatly to the live jams and to Sunday's Musician’s Forum.
GREG HAWKESAfter a long and illustrious career as the keyboardist in The Cars, GREG HAWKES has pursued solo projects. The latest is called The Beatles Uke, which he says was influenced by George’s
interest in the Ukulele. Greg will be performing 2 showcases with many selections from the new CD.
He also did a session with Paul for the Flowers in the Dirt album, on the song Motor of Love. Paul wanted a Cars sound, so Greg was brought in. Greg will join Liverpool for a Cars song or two and participate in the jam.
MARK HUDSON
MARK HUDSON has been an integral part of our music presentations for the past 7 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 also had the chance to work with Paul, George and dozens of other music legends. Mark has produced Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and Ozzy Osbourne.
BRETT HUDSON
Yes, another Hudson Brother is joining us! BRETT HUDSON is the Director of The 7th Python and will introduce the film in the Grand Ballroom. He will also be around all weekend to join in the jams and to discuss the making of the film.
NANCY LEE ANDREWSIn 2008, we presented NANCY LEE ANDREWS, who had just published her exquisite photo book A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
She proved to be very popular and we have invited her back this year.
Nancy was Ringo’s girlfriend in the 1970’s and has taken photos of Ringo, George, Donovan, Keith Moon and many others.
This year in addition to speaking she will be briging her Photo Exhibit. It will be great to see those images in a large format. She also was a recent guest in Joe Johnson's BBC Live Chat Room.
ALLAN TANNENBAUMALLAN 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 returning to set up another amazing Photo Exhibit at THE FEST.
Allan joined us for all three conventions in 2008 and we are delighted he is part of our 35th Anniversary Celebration!
BRUCE SPIZER
After 7 amazing and authoritative books over the past 11 years, BRUCE SPIZER returns for two very entertaining Slide Shows this year.
We will also have a Friday night discussion with AL SUSSMAN our long time friend and staff member, who is Beatle Fan Magazine contributor, will discuss "Mythbusting The Beatles American Breakthrough".
On Saturday, Bruce is joined by TONY PERKINS and JOE JOHNSON for a discussion on The Beatles and The Media. On Sunday, Bruce and TOM FRANGIONE discuss Which Let It Be Album is the Best?
GARRY BERMAN
A long time attendee of the NY Metro FEST, GARRY BERMAN has put together a book as seen through the eyes of dozens and dozens of fans, called We’re Going To See The Beatles.
The book was world premiered at The FEST 2008 and Garry returns to discuss more topics from the book.
JUDE SOUTHERLAND KESSLERJUDE SOUTHERLAND KESSLER, author of the 800 page novel on the life of John Lennon up to 1961, Shoulda Been There, joins us again. The second edition of her book has just come out
and it includes a bonus CD with an exclusive interview with Allan Williams, The Beatles first manager in the early Liverpool days.
JOHN STEVENS
author of The Songs of John Lennon, joins us on Saturday for another discussion. John is a Professor of Music at the Berklee School of Music and is currently working on a second book
John's solo career.
STEPHEN SPIGNESI & MICHAEL LEWIS, authors of Here, There and Everywhere: The 100 Best Beatles Songs return for a discussion on their opinionated book, on the Saturday.
MARTIN LEWISMARTIN LEWIS - humorist-writer-producer and leading Beatles scholar.
His Fab-related work started 40 years ago (as a teenager!) when he compiled the discography for their authorized biography by Hunter Davies. He started his career as a protege 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 visit to the US (The Fab 40!) and this year's first-ever "Across The Universe Day!"
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 46th convention with us. See: www.MartinLewis.com
KEN DASHOWQ104.3, 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 2PM-7PM Monday-Thursday, and has his so very popular Breakfast with The Beatles every Sunday Morning from 8-10AM.
JOE JOHNSONBeatle Brunch Host JOE JOHNSON is now on 120 stations nationwide (including WBZO, Long Island on Sunday mornings).
He has also recently launched a new website, the Beatle Brunch Club, which is an extension of the Beatle Brunch Radio Show. Become a member today to take advantage of all the Beatle Goodies this has to offer!
Joe heads up the Annual Live Trivia Game Contests, Name That Tune Contests and Panel Discussions. There will be separate contests for the younger experts as well, so bone up on yer Beatles Trivia, as he pulls contestants from the studio audience.