Pattie Boyd

Author of 'My Life In Pictures'

We are so honored to welcome back PATTIE BOYD to the Chicago FEST stage for the first time in 15 years! Pattie first met George Harrison on the set of A Hard Day's Night. They started dating shortly afterwards and were married less than two years later (1966). Pattie was one of the top models during the Carnaby Street era in London in the mid 1960s. George wrote a number of songs for Pattie, none more magnificent than Something. 15 years ago, Pattie wrote her autobiography, Wonderful Tonight, another classic song written for her, but this time by Eric Clapton. Pattie will be signing and personalizing all copies of her amazing new coffee table book, My Life in Photos. She will also be displaying some of her iconic clothes she wore back in the 1960s and offering some her photos from the book in a Limited Edition, in her own Exhibit Room.

Terry Sylvester

Liverpool Legend, of The Swinging Blue Jeans & The Hollies

TERRY SYLVESTER is a native of Liverpool and former member of The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Hollies, and The Escorts. We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Fest stage! Terry will be participating in at least one signing session on Friday and two signings on both Saturday and Sunday. Exact times will be posted on our site a week before the FEST and in our program booklet.

Liverpool

World's Finest Beatles Tribute Band, Concerts All Three Nights

LIVERPOOL, featuring Drew Hill, John Merjave, Glen Burtnik, and Chris Camilleri, is the World's finest Beatles tribute band. Their amazing concerts highlight every FEST, including the last hour of the concert when they bring up all the musical legends of their time to perform their hits live on our stage. For those of you who are new to the FEST and have never attended one of our celebrations, here are some of the artists Liverpool has played with over the past 40 years at the FEST - Harry Nilsson, Billy Preston, Donovan, Peter & Gordon, Billy J. Kramer, Klaus Voormann, Chad & Jeremy, Randy Bachman, Neil Innes and The Rutles, Gerry Marsden, Mike Pender (Searchers), Joey Molland, The Quarrymen, Ronnie Spector, Alan Parsons, Doris Troy, Norman "Hurricane" Smith, Peter Noone, Micky Dolenz, Seven Wings Members, Spencer Davis, Terry Sylvester (Hollies), Gary Wright, Albert Lee, Gene Cornish (Rascals), Max Weinberg, Mark Lindsay, Phoebe Snow, and Billy Kinsley (Merseybeats).   For Liverpool, the focus is on the incredible music the Beatles created, and bringing that energy to the stage while performing note-for-note renditions. Friday evening, they welcome fans with a 60s (optional) Dress Up Night that includes a Look-Alike Contest, a Dress Up Contest, Door Prizes and more. Saturday and Sunday evening's concerts are not to be missed. You never know who is going to show up unannounced to join in the jam!

Terri Hemmert

Master of Ceremonies Since 1978

Terri will be here all weekend as usual and heading those wonderful talks and sessions on the main stage with our Special Guests as only Terri can! Terri very much looks forward to seeing all of you at the FEST next month. "Campers get ready."

Liv Rose

On the Apple Jam Stage

On the Apple Jam Stage

Haley LeRand

On the Apple Jam Stage

On the Apple Jam Stage

Tom Frangione

The Beatles Channel (SiriusXM) 'Resident Beatles Expert'

For over 40 years, Tom’s been covering the Beatles on radio and in print, and is a long-time master of ceremonies and co-host at the Fest, heading up the Trivia and “Name That Tune” contests, and assisting with the auction, interviews and other duties on the main stage. Tom has been part of the official Beatles Channel on SiriusXM since its launch in 2017 as part of the weekly Fab Fourum program, and now hosts the weekly rarities program Way Beyond Compare as well as Apple Jam, focusing on the artists the Beatles introduced to the world on their own Apple Records label. He also writes the weekly show Across The Universe, focusing on John Lennon’s life and music. Tom is also a Contributing Editor to Beatlefan Magazine, and contributor to Joe Johnson’s Beatle Brunch Radio.

Kenneth Womack

Author of the Forthcoming Mal Evans Biography

Kenneth Womack has written the definitive story about Mal Evans. This book have been almost 50 years in the making and Ken has the full cooperation of the Evans family. It is being published on November 14th. Ken gave us the world's first sneak peek at last summer's Chicago FEST. He will be expanding on it this year with more visuals and details on the life of The Beatles trusted jack of all trades assistant. For those who may not know, Mal's only public appearance ever, was at our second NYC Beatlefest in September, 1975. It was a true honor. Ken is a literary critic and award-winning author who has written five books about the Beatles. Ken is the Dean of the Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences at at Monmouth University in New Jersey. 

Susan Ryan

Beatles Historian

Susan Ryan started an online publication over 19 years ago called Rooftop Sessions, where fans submitted stories and prose about the Beatles. Now she hosts groups of women Beatles historians and comes up with new topics to explore each year in always fascinating talks. Susan also conducts Walking Tours of Beatles and John Lennon sites around New York City.

Bruce Spizer

Leading Authority on the Beatles Recordings

Bruce Spizer is one of the world's leading authorities on the U. S. Beatles recordings. His latest book is on the 50th Anniversary of Abbey Road.  Bruce has been a guest at every FEST nationwide since 1998 - that's more than 50 FESTS!! His eight Beatles books are part of every collector and music aficionado's book shelves. His talks on many various topics are legendary in the Beatles world and we are certain he will come up with some great new subjects for 2023.

Danny Donuts

Nightly Fest Recaps

DANNY DONUTS will be doing his parody songs each evening, starting with a welcome to the Special Guests on Friday night, Parodies of events and Video highlights of the festivities and attendees on the main stage. He also leads the Saturday afternoon Sing-Along Parade for fans of all ages!

Susan Shumsky

Author of "Maharishi & Me"

Susan has written a book from her personal experiences in the 1960s and beyond, called Maharishi & Me: Seeking Enlightenment. Susan learned TM in early 1967, and studied with the Maharishi in Rishikesh in 1970. She ended up working for him for six years in Europe, really getting to know him. We welcome Susan back for her third year. This story has never been told, until her book was published, and is very fascinating.

Steve Matteo

Author of Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film

Steve Matteo is the author of the new Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film. His first book on the Beatles was Let It Be (33 1/3-Bloomsbury) and also, Dylan (Sterling). He has written for such publications as The Absolute Sound, Literary Hub, Dan's Papers, Scenes, Under the Radar, Boomer magazine, The Alternate Root, Versopolis, Ugly Things, Pulse, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, New York magazine, Time Out New York, Rolling Stone, Spin, Interview, Elle and Salon.

Terri Whitney

Author of "Any Rhyme At All"

Terry Lilly Whitney, a.k.a. The Rockin’ Rhymer, is a Michigan native who has been part of the poetry jam and other activities at the Chicago Fest for several years. Her book, Any Rhyme At All, will be available at the Fest.