ONE OF THE BIGGEST LINE-UPS OF SPECIAL GUESTS
IN OUR 34 YEAR HISTORY IN CHICAGO:
   

KLAUS VOORMANN
DENNY LAINE
DENNY SEIWELL
LAURENCE JUBER
GARY WRIGHT
CHRIS O’DELL
MARK HUDSON
LIVERPOOL:  INCREDIBLE LIVE CONCERTS
PIG LIGHT SHOW
NOWHERE BOY EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW

   
  SPECIAL GUESTS   CHICAGO FEST 2010
View Event Schedule
 
DENNY LAINE
Founding 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 in 1980. 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 5 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 mates from Wings, Denny Seiwell & Laurence Juber, will be performing Wings songs with LIVERPOOL on both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Denny will be arriving at the FEST on Saturday.

 
 
DENNY SEIWELL
First 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 will be performing a special Live Tribute to Ram over the weekend!!!
 
 
LAURENCE JUBER
Wings' Last Lead Guitarist
Won Grammy for Rockestra


LAURENCE JUBER is one of the finest Guitarists on the planet. It is no wonder Paul asked him to join Wings in 1978! His guitar work on Back To The Egg was amazing. He has been a guest numerous times over the years and will be performing solo acoustic concerts on Friday night and Saturday afternoon, in addition to joining his fellow former Wings members Denny and Denny on Saturday night for an extended Mini Wings Reunion, along with Liverpool. His new CD, LJ Plays The Beatles 2 is being premiered in Chicago. Because of a family commitment, Laurence can only join us on Friday and Saturday this year.
 
 
KLAUS VOORMANN 
50 Year Friendship
From Hamburg Days
Member of Plastic Ono Band
Performed and Recorded with All Four Beatles

 
KLAUS VOORMANN, an original member of the Plastic Ono Band, was reunited with most of the band for Yoko’s Birthday Concert in NYC in February (with Eric Clapton, Jim Keltner and  Sean). He returns with great stories from that evening and to present his excellent latest project - A Sideman’s Journey CD/DVD/Book, which features Paul, Ringo, his old band Manfred Mann, Joe Walsh, Cat Stevens and many other friends. We will be showing the DVD of from his project over the weekend. This is Klaus' first ever solo CD. It was worth the wait. Klaus’ friendship with The Beatles goes back 50 years to the Hamburg days. Klaus is one of those few musicians who has performed and recorded with all four Beatles. He is a two time Grammy Winner including his Album Cover artwork for Revolver. It is always an honour to have Klaus join us at THE FEST.
 
 
GARY WRIGHT
Wrote the big hit "Dream Weaver".
On Tour With Ringo This Summer.
Was a Close Friend of George
Harrison.

GARY WRIGHT - close friend and a favorite keyboard player of both George and Ringo is joining us for the very first time!  Widely known for his rock classic Dream Weaver, Klaus Voormann introduced Gary to George in 1970 and he was promptly recruited to play on the All Things Must Pass album. It was the start of a 30-year friendship and professional relationship. Gary co-wrote several songs with George (including If You Believe and To Discover Yourself) and played on most of George's albums, including "Living in the Material World" and "Cloud 9" - a favor that George reciprocated.  Gary also played on Ringo's It Don't Come Easy and Back Off Boogaloo. He was in Ringo's All-Starr Band in 2008 and ! will be again this summer. He will be winging to Chicago right after the Ringo tour!  Gary was one of the very select group of friends invited to perform at The Concert For George in 2002. Gary has a brand new album titled Connected released on June 8th. Ringo guests on one song and there's also a previously unreleased track from 1989 featuring George!  The CD will be on sale at the FEST.
 
 
CHRIS O'DELL
Worked for The Beatles at Apple,
George & Pattie's Assistant,
George wrote Miss O'Dell about Chris

CHRIS O'DELL moved to England from California 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 CHICAGO FEST as she joins us all three days.
 
 

MARK HUDSON
Ringo's Producer
For 10 Years
New CD - The Artist


MARK HUDSON 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 hosted by Martin Lewis featuring all the musical guests is always a highlight of the weekend, and Mark serves as Musical Director for the session. Mark has a new CD out called, The Artist. It is available through our webstore (signed) and at THE FEST.

 
 

LIVERPOOL
World's Finest Beatles
Tribute Band

LIVERPOOL is an integral part of our ‘FEST family’ and has been our exclusive 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, Laurence Juber, Klaus Voormann, Gary Wright and Mark Hudson and maybe some other surprises for some great live entertainment. www.liverpooltheband.com

 
 

PIG LIGHT SHOW
Marc Rubinstein Presents

 
MARC RUBINSTEIN returns for his second year to add his famous PIG LIGHT SHOW to LIVERPOOL's performances each evening. Marc was a protege of the legendary Joshua Light Show from the late 1960's Fillmore East days. www.piglightshow.com

 
 

NOWHERE BOY
FEATURE FILM: TO BE RELEASED IN U.S.A. ON OCTOBER 8TH
Exclusive Sneak Preview

A most eagerly awaited movie for Beatles fans is the upcoming film about John's teenage years and the birth of the Beatles - Nowhere Boy.  The film has been given rave "both thumbs way up" reviews by the people closest to John.  It is going to be released in the US on Friday October 8th - coinciding with the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of John's birth.

We are thrilled that Martin Lewis has arranged for us to present a very special Sneak Preview of the film in Chicago!  So FEST attendees on Friday night will get to see this amazing film on the big screen two months before its US Premiere!  Not to be missed! 

A special website about the film has been set up for us fans to receive exclusive early information about the movie. Please share this website address with your friends and family via email, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking media and - in John's own words - help "spread the word". What a great message it will send to the world on John's 70th birthday for the number one movie in the USA to be a celebration of John!  Let's help make that happen!  www.NowhereBoy.com

 
  MORE GUESTS AND AUTHORS
 

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 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 and he will be treating us to an A/V Presentation with dozens of The Beatles actual instruments. Also, Andy will be bringing some of the instruments Rock Band actually used for its game.
We welcome him back.

 
 
PAUL SALTZMAN
We welcome back Photographer PAUL SALTZMAN, whose Beatles In India Exhibit takes us to a place frozen in time by his unique images taken in 1968. He will speak about the topic, "Why Did The Beatles Go To India?" and share some meditation methods as well. Paul is planning a retreat to India next February. Here is the link for all who might be interested in this once in a lifetime opportunity. A Journey of Enlightenment.
 
 

MARTIN LEWIS
humorist-writer-producer and leading Beatles scholar
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", "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". 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 49th convention with us. See: www.MartinLewis.com See: www.MartinLewis.com

 
 

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. A Brand New subject Bruce has chosen for his Sunday presentation is the Paul is Dead Rumor and Clues that began in October 1969. The Beatles on Apple Records is Saturday's topic. Bruce also takes part in a some of the Discussions over the weekend.

 
 
JUDE SOUTHERLAND KESSLER
returns for her third CHICAGO 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 with A/V presentations over the weekend.
 
 
JONATHAN POLK
author of our Number One selling book of 2009 - Beatles Box of Vision, is returning with news of his upcoming similar book for John's music catalog. Jon will have samples of the new book, which is coming out this Fall.
 
 
KRIS ENGELHARDT
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 was world premiered at the NY METRO FEST.
 
 

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 in Chicago.

 
 
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ
author of Fab Four FAQ 2.0, is from Chicago and his second book covers the Solo Years 1970-1980. This is Robert's third year as a panelist.
 
 

JORIE GRACEN
Chicago native and photographer, whose book Paul McCartney: I Saw Him Standing There is a classic. Jorie has one of the best websites for all things Paul. Check it out: http://www.maccareport.com

 

tomAL SUSSMAN AND TOM FRANGIONE
AL SUSSMAN & TOM FRANGIONE along with BRUCE SPIZER, will have a Friday evening discussion on 09.09.09 - One Year Later.

 
 

JEFF AUGSBURGER
heads up the annual Collecting Beatles Memorabilia Discussion on the Friday evening.

 
 

BELMO
author of many Beatles books including his recent The Beatles Christmas Book, returns to participate in some of the discussions.

 

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 payment for his services, Gary welcomes donations to our chosen charities.

 

TilleryGARY TILLERY
Author of The Cynical Idealist: A Spiritual Biography of John Lennon, has been added as a panelist on Sunday afternoon. Gary lives in the Chicago area.

  MCs & ANNOUNCERS
 
TERRI HEMMERT
TERRI HEMMERT has been an integral part of WXRT in Chicago for 36 years. Now that the station has been streaming live, she can be heard all over the planet! Terri has been to every Chicago FEST since we began in 1977 and has been our MASTER OF CEREMONIES Extraordinaire ever since. Her musical knowledge and love for the music shows every day on here mid day shows, Monday thru Friday, 10:00AM-1:00PM and especially on her Sunday morning Breakfast With The Beatles Show 8:00AM-10:00AM.
 
 
WALLY PODRAZIK
Local Beatles Historian WALLY PODRAZIK has been our PANEL DISCUSSIONS MODERATOR at almost every Chicago FEST since 1977. Wally is one of the most respected Beatles expert in the world!  Wally also handles the always exciting Trivia Competitions.
 
 
JOE JOHNSON
Beatle Brunch Host JOE JOHNSON is now on 120 stations nationwide (including 3 in Illinois and one in nearby Milwaukee). Joe heads up the Annual Name That Tune Competition and assists Wally in some of the Panel Discussions.
 
 
View Event Schedule