Until I met him at the 2014 Los Angeles Fest for Beatles Fans, Steve Marinucci was just a pleasant, suntanned face under a broad-rimmed beach hat. Until I met Ken Michaels at the 2016 New York Metro Fest, he was just a wide smile and beautiful eyes. I’d just seen a face…
And before the many Fests I’ve attended over the last few years, Pete Best was just a legend, not the humble man who scratches his neck when embarrassed, who downplays his importance and talent, and who never utters a mean word about anyone, ever. Chas Newby was just the lad who walked away from The Beatles, the gifted bass player with other dreams. He wasn’t the thoughtful, kind, dear friend he is now. And he never would have been, without the Fest.
And Freda Kelly? Well, Freda was just The Beatles Fan Club Secretary, not the strong, funny, gentle, honest, loving, and yet no-nonsense friend she’s become. All of these people have blossomed into Living Color and 3-D since I saw them standing there.
Through the Fest, I’ve met almost every one of the dear friends in my life. Come to think of it, I can count on one hand the friends I have who weren’t introduced to me via The Fest. Wow. Maybe I’m amazed…
Tonight in church, I was thinking how much what we experience at the Fest is like a church service. No, no, hear me out…it really is! (Lennonesque disclaimer here: This is not to say the Fest is bigger or more popular than the church!!! Ahem!) But truly… we gather; we sing; we pass the peace; we tell the story; we share one another’s woes and joys; we pray for one another; we study and learn together; we know each other’s families; we help one another through good times and bad…and yes, (you knew it was coming) we get by with a little help from our friends. And although you can be a Beatles fan without going to a Fest (just as you can certainly practice your religion without entering a church or synagogue or mosque or whatever), you’re sincerely missing out on something wonderful and meaningful if you don’t attend.
For the last month (ever since I left New York), I’ve been mulling over the meaning of the Fest and trying to come up with the most apt and picturesque words to describe it to those of you who’ve never attended. But like Paul (McCartney, not “of Tarsus”) I stumble and fall short, so “I’ll say the only words I know, so you’ll understand.”
The closest I can come to giving you a glimpse into the way you feel after attending a Fest for Beatles Fans is this: “You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.” From the moment you open your car door in the hotel parking lot, you’re surrounded by people just like you. For three happy days you’re with people (of all ages) who share your collective memory, who understand. You are with those who know why you think and act as you do.
They may be teens or thirty-somethings or Baby Boomers, but they all – every one! – get it. They know why you say “Number Nine, Number Nine,why you snarl, “You’ve failed, haven’t y’jeweler?” or wink, “I am not what I seem.” They know what “God is a concept by which we measure our pain” means. And they know why you respectfully won’t wear red tonight. They’ve read the books you’ve read. They’ve memorized the songs you’ve memorized. They’d rather stay up all night and sing under the stairs than anything they can Imagine. They’re happy just to dance with you. And at a moment’s notice, they’ll do the Cavern Stomp.
These are the friends you always wanted in junior high and high school…the perfect friends you couldn’t find. Some have blue hair, heavily glittered eye shadow, and 12-inch heels. Some wear sensible shoes and carry a cane. Some dress all-out Sgt. Pepper. Some tug on T-shirts and jeans. Some come for the speakers and miss everything to hear Pattie Boyd or Louise Harrison or Ken Townsend.
Others come for the bands and are breathless over Mark Hudson, Mark Rivera, Peter Noone, Gary Van Scyoc, and Billy J. Kramer. And still others come to introduce their children to the “act they’ve known for all these years,” so they beeline to Bob Abdou’s puppet show and his children’s parade…to Lanea Stagg’s popular class on making Savoy (chocolate) Truffles, and to the Friday night family dance featuring “Liverpool.” Our “clique” is completely and uniquely diverse…but we, in all the important ways, are exactly the same.
My husband works at a university, and several months ago, the President requested that his Administrative Cabinet submit their holiday schedules for the year. When he saw Rande’s list of events (six days for the New York Fest and six days for the Chicago Fest), he scribbled a quick note in the margin saying, “What? No vacation? ☹!” But Rande and I only smiled, knowing that by “Festing,” we are headed for the greatest holiday of them all. Roll up for the magical mystery tour!
For the last few minutes, I have been desperately trying to tell you about the Fest, but (as John Sebastian once observed) it’s “like tryin’ to tell a stranger about rock’n’roll.” It’s like trying to explain “hope” or “tangerine trees and marmalade skies” or the feeling of being “home, warm and dry.” It’s inexpressible.
But since I’ve been on a bit of a Paul spree in this blog (which is “very strange” in and of itself), let me close with Sir Macca (…and let that be an end to it, end to it!). Give this song a listen, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZc_qGLP0qY and then perhaps you’ll understand. Perhaps you’ll quit saying “Someday.” Perhaps you’ll come to the Chicago Fest and meet the friends who’ve “been waiting a lonely lifetime” to meet you. Perhaps at last you’ll find us. Will I see you there? “I Will.”
Jude Southerland Kessler is the author of the John Lennon Series: www.johnlennonseries.com
Jude is represented by 910 Public Relations — @910PubRel on Twitter and 910 Public Relations on Facebook.
OH My jude you could not have hit it on the head any better. I know since I have been going I think its been 6 years now to Chicago, that I have met some fantastic people. When I talk about the Fest and The Beatles and everyone, these are my main words, exactly what I told Bobbie before we came down to Mississippi-When it comes to Beatle Fans they are the friendly people that you could ever meet. They are not critical whether you know a little or a lot. One thing they do know how do is have fun, enjoy themselves and they welcome everyone with open arms. I quickly learned I was not kidding. 🙂
I can’t begin to tell you how many times in the past few years I have said those words. You can’t go wrong with Beatles Fans. I hope everyone reads take time to read your blog, because Beatle Fans ROCK at The Fest,!
Jude, I had the honor and pleasure to have met you at the 2015 Fest. As things would have it, although I was in attendance last month, I didn’t find the opportunity to say hello again this time around.
I did sit in at the tail end of your lecture regarding John’s “Irish.” Your depth of knowledge and intense passion are powerfully definitive of all that these festivals are about.
For 20 years, from when I first heard of Beatlefest, I wanted to attend. Forgetfulness and circumstances kept me away, but last year I turned 60 and decided to treat myself to a special birthday gift. So I booked my room and bought my three day pass.
Cynic that I am I had more than just a little trepidation. Would it all be worth it? Would I be bored? Was it just a Fab Four Flea Market? And what about the music? How disappointed would I be if I hated the cover bands?
On a snow-stormy Friday in March I placed my luggage and camera in the trunk of my car and I was off to Westchester, both rife with eager anticipation and dreading a potential disappointment.
I slipped and slid my way across New Jersey, across the Hudson River and across Westchester County.
After checking in and heading off to my room I encountered a very colorful – literally – man. All I could say to who I later found out was Mark Hudson was “Nice beard!” I knew at that point tha this was going to be something different!
The next three days succeeded in exceeding my expectations and quashing any doubts I had. I got to hear incredible music from incredible musicians, and got to meet and speak with them, as well as tremendous authors. I learned about sitars, won an auction for a great poster, took a slew of great photographs and met some really nice people. I sat and listened to a bunch of pop-up jam sessions.
I learned that, even though I consider myself a huge Beatles fan, I don’t have anywhere near the dedicated passion of so many of those I’d seen.
These people are, indeed, like family, for we all share a common bond. I’m looking forward to the 2017 reunion!
I hope to get to one some day. I know I’ll find my real family there. We are a special beed and we only seem to understand each other. As far as church. This has been the only ‘church’ that has ever made any sense to me.
Your words ring so true. We had always wanted to go to the Fest but felt that we really couldn’t afford it. There were always bills that we needed to pay. Then about 5 years ago we were lucky to win the tickets on Q1043. Ever since it has not been a matter of if we can afford it, it has become one of those necessities that “we will work it out”!
The Fest is a weekend of peace and calm that we don’t find everyday in our life. The minute that the date is announced. I book the hotel room. Then we wait anxiously for weekend to come around again.
As you said, meeting the people that we have only seen on paper is such a great pleasure. The atmosphere during that weekend is great. No matter what you do or where you go in the hotel, you will find something wonderful. Every nook and cranny is Beatles. I there anything better???
I was honored to meet you last year and bought your books. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop. They were so good. Your writing made me feel as though I was right there with them. I learned so much more about the four boys from Liverpool and everyone associated with them. As the Fest neared this year I couldn’t wait and one reason was to see you again to tell you how much I enjoyed your books and find out when the next one would be out. Thank you for the experience to really get to know the Beatles.