The Fest for Beatles Fans

History

The Fest for Beatles Fans began in 1974 after founder Mark Lapidos ran the idea by John Lennon during an encounter at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. Lapidos asked Lennon for permission, to which Lennon replied, "I’m all for it! I’m a Beatles fan too!"

The first Fest took place in September 1974 at the Commodore Hotel in New York City. Over 8,000 Beatles fans attended. Each Beatle donated a musical instrument that was auctioned off for charity. Lennon considered attending, but decided not to because he was nervous about the crowd. The event was recognized on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

Since its inception in 1974, the Fest has taken place every year in the New York Metropolitan area. It has taken place in Chicago, Illinois, every year since 1977. The Fest has also taken place in Boston, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

Events and activities

Among the events and activities at the Fest for Beatles Fans are nightly concerts by Beatles tribute band Liverpool, appearances and performances by various musical guests, photo exhibits, a Beatles museum and art contest, a Beatles sound-alike contest, the Battle of the Beatles Bands, panels and discussions with authors and Beatles experts, movie screenings, live auctions, puppet shows, and a Beatles marketplace. In 2014, the Fest included a bus trip to JFK Airport to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America.

Past attendees

Since its inception in 1974, the Fest has hosted hundreds of special guests, including:

Musicians

Pete Best, drummer for the Beatles before being replaced by Ringo Starr

Glen Burtnik, performed with Beatlemania, Styx and the Orchestra; performs in Fest house band Liverpool

Chad & Jeremy, 1960s English folk rock duo

Micky Dolenz, drummer and lead singer for the Monkees

Donovan, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

Steve Holley, Laurence Juber, Denny Laine, Henry McCullough, and Denny Seiwell – former members of Paul McCartney & Wings

Mark Hudson, member of the Hudson Brothers, Ringo Starr's producer for 10 years

Neil Innes, musician for Monty Python and the Rutles, performed at the Concert for George

Billy J. Kramer, 1960s pop singer who recorded several Lennon–McCartney songs

Gerry Marsden, leader of the British Merseybeat band Gerry and the Pacemakers

Joey Molland, guitarist for Apple Records band Badfinger

Harry Nilsson, singer-songwriter who was close with John Lennon and Ringo Starr In 1982, Nilsson released an exclusive limited-edition single called "With a Bullet" at Beatlefest to raise money for gun control.

Peter Noone, lead singer of Herman's Hermits

Mike Pender, founding member and lead vocalist for the Searchers

Peter and Gordon (Peter Asher and Gordon Waller), who performed at Fest conventions together and separately

Billy Preston, keyboardist who appeared on several Beatles tracks in the late 1960s

The Quarrymen, a British skiffle/rock and roll group formed by Lennon which eventually evolved into the Beatles

Mark Rivera, saxophonist who played with Lennon and toured with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

Tony Sheridan, singer-songwriter and guitarist who was an early collaborator with the Beatles

The Smithereens, American rock band influenced by the Beatles who released two albums of Beatles covers

Ronnie Spector, singer and former member of the Ronettes

Terry Sylvester, English guitarist/singer with The Escorts, The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Hollies

Klaus Voormann, met the Beatles in Hamburg in the early 1960s, designed the cover of Revolver, and played bass with Lennon as part of the Plastic Ono Band

Gary Wright, recorded with George Harrison and Ringo Starr, toured with the All-Starr Band

Other guests

Nancy Lee Andrews, former international model turned photographer, formerly engaged to Ringo Starr

Tony Barrow, Beatles press officer who coined the phrase "The Fab Four"

Sid Bernstein, booked The Beatles at Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium

Pattie Boyd, the former wife of George Harrison and Eric Clapton

Al Brodax, producer of The Beatles TV series and the Yellow Submarine film

Chris Carter, Los Angeles-based disc jockey who hosts Breakfast with the Beatles

Alan Clayson, pop music historian who wrote a book on each Beatle

Ray Coleman, biographer of Lennon and McCartney

Bob Eubanks, before gaining fame as the host of The Newlywed Game, was a DJ who produced The Beatles performances at the Hollywood Bowl

Prudence Farrow, author and film producer, subject of the Beatles song "Dear Prudence"

Robert Freeman, photographer for four Beatles album covers

Bob Gruen, photo–journalist and author

Terri Hemmert, Chicago DJ at WXRT-FM, Fest MC in Chicago since 1978

Larry Kane, Philadelphia television news anchor, the only American journalist to accompany the Beatles on their 1964–1965 American tours

Astrid Kirchherr, met the Beatles in Hamburg in the early 1960s, took early photographs of the group, and dated former bassist Stuart Sutcliffe

Martin Lewis, Beatles historian, Fest MC for over 20 years

Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon's first wife

Mark Lewisohn, Beatles historian and author

Ruth McCartney, new media entrepreneur, stepsister of Paul McCartney

Bruce Morrow, American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie

Jack Oliver, former President of Apple Records (1969-1971)

May Pang, former girlfriend of Lennon, attended the first Beatlefest where she purchased a photograph that became the cover of Lennon's Rock 'n' Roll album

Paul Saltzman, film and TV producer/director, joined the Beatles in India

Norman Smith, Beatles record producer and engineer, premiered his memoir at the March 2007 convention

Victor Spinetti, Welsh actor who appeared in the Beatles films A Hard Day's Night, Help! and Magical Mystery Tour

Bruce Spizer, Beatles historian and author

Alistair Taylor, personal assistant of Brian Epstein, General Manager of Apple Corps

Vivek Tiwary, author of the graphic novel The Fifth Beatle about the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein