Post by Beatle Bob on Mar 29, 2009 1:17:15 GMT
Well, I had my one day a year hangin' with other Beatlefans and friends today at the Beatlefest and as always it's nice catching up and seeing how much we've all have grayed. The day started pleasantly as I had a nice breakfast with Steve Shorten from the 910 Magazine, as well as a handful of collector friends, while pigging out on the $13.95 breakfast buffet. You can hear my arteries clog as I was digesting. We heard the Bootlegs perform upstairs in the lobby and as always they're excellent. Steve was running the video room and played some nice rarities and live material which was the most interesting fare they've offered in many years.
I also met up with Bruce Spizer (who I had breakfast the year before). He was a guest speaker and had a table selling all of his essential books. He's a true gentlemen. I hope some of you get to meet him one day. I sat in on guest speaker Victor Spinetti and he's a great storyteller of his past with the Beatles. He's never boring.
Earl Slick (guitarist on Lennon's last album sessions) was a breath of fresh air. He talked about his upbringing, and influences. When Lennon told him he wanted him to be in his touring band in '81, Earl told Lennon (right before his death) "that he was under contract with Columbia to do an album". Lennon told him "he'd call Columbia and tell them YOU were going on tour with me!" Earl said, "I guess I'm going then". Lennon could yield power when necessary. I met Earl aftewards signing autographs. Very nice, down to earth guy and very approachable. He signed my Beatlefest program. I asked him if it's true that producer Jack Douglas claimed Lennon and McCartney had writing sessions planned at the Dakota and one actually occured? He said he'd never doubt Jack's word and that he'd never make that up.
I met Sid Bernstein, who's always there, but this time I had him sign a reproduction "Beatles at Shea Poster", which I'll eventually frame. He's getting old, but he's a nice man. Very grandfatherly appearance.
Ronnie Spector was there as a guest speaker too. She was a darling. Full of energy and sung snippets of songs she recorded or grew up with. She still has the vocal chops and my oh my, what a recognizable voice!
Ran into Mark Hudson, a now long time staple there. I'm convinced his goatee is naturally multi-colored. :lol:
The dealer room was the worst ever. Many dealers (since last year) have bailed and it's filled up with too much Mark Lapidos officially licensed t-shirts. UGH! I had a long list of promo CDs/DVDs but couldn't find any on my list. THIS WAS A FIRST! Did find a promo DVD from the Traveling Wilbury's box set, a sampler CD of Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues CDs that includes Harrison's "Horse To Water" (which has been missing from my collection). Also was able to snap up 94 Baker Street: The Pop Psych Sounds of The Apple Era 1967-1969, the Japanese remastered Lennon disc, Live Peace In Toronto that comes in the cardboard sleeve. I also picked up the picture sleeve for the unissued 45 rpm "Leave My Kitten Alone". It's getting harder to find now. BUT....this is the first year I didn't come home broke!
Bootlegs were still available but it was down to one dealer. The bootleg rooms upstairs are now located in another local hotel (smart move) and did have some older originals and of course as expected, many CD-Rs of new releases such as the HMC sets.
All in all is was good. I think if I hadn't run into a few friends, I would have bailed on the 'Fest a few hours earlier. I just hope Lapidos will do his best to bring back many of the missing vendors from the dealer's room which will add more diversity and keep it interesting.
If anyone else from here went, please post about your day too!
Regards,
Beatle Bob
I also met up with Bruce Spizer (who I had breakfast the year before). He was a guest speaker and had a table selling all of his essential books. He's a true gentlemen. I hope some of you get to meet him one day. I sat in on guest speaker Victor Spinetti and he's a great storyteller of his past with the Beatles. He's never boring.
Earl Slick (guitarist on Lennon's last album sessions) was a breath of fresh air. He talked about his upbringing, and influences. When Lennon told him he wanted him to be in his touring band in '81, Earl told Lennon (right before his death) "that he was under contract with Columbia to do an album". Lennon told him "he'd call Columbia and tell them YOU were going on tour with me!" Earl said, "I guess I'm going then". Lennon could yield power when necessary. I met Earl aftewards signing autographs. Very nice, down to earth guy and very approachable. He signed my Beatlefest program. I asked him if it's true that producer Jack Douglas claimed Lennon and McCartney had writing sessions planned at the Dakota and one actually occured? He said he'd never doubt Jack's word and that he'd never make that up.
I met Sid Bernstein, who's always there, but this time I had him sign a reproduction "Beatles at Shea Poster", which I'll eventually frame. He's getting old, but he's a nice man. Very grandfatherly appearance.
Ronnie Spector was there as a guest speaker too. She was a darling. Full of energy and sung snippets of songs she recorded or grew up with. She still has the vocal chops and my oh my, what a recognizable voice!
Ran into Mark Hudson, a now long time staple there. I'm convinced his goatee is naturally multi-colored. :lol:
The dealer room was the worst ever. Many dealers (since last year) have bailed and it's filled up with too much Mark Lapidos officially licensed t-shirts. UGH! I had a long list of promo CDs/DVDs but couldn't find any on my list. THIS WAS A FIRST! Did find a promo DVD from the Traveling Wilbury's box set, a sampler CD of Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues CDs that includes Harrison's "Horse To Water" (which has been missing from my collection). Also was able to snap up 94 Baker Street: The Pop Psych Sounds of The Apple Era 1967-1969, the Japanese remastered Lennon disc, Live Peace In Toronto that comes in the cardboard sleeve. I also picked up the picture sleeve for the unissued 45 rpm "Leave My Kitten Alone". It's getting harder to find now. BUT....this is the first year I didn't come home broke!
Bootlegs were still available but it was down to one dealer. The bootleg rooms upstairs are now located in another local hotel (smart move) and did have some older originals and of course as expected, many CD-Rs of new releases such as the HMC sets.
All in all is was good. I think if I hadn't run into a few friends, I would have bailed on the 'Fest a few hours earlier. I just hope Lapidos will do his best to bring back many of the missing vendors from the dealer's room which will add more diversity and keep it interesting.
If anyone else from here went, please post about your day too!
Regards,
Beatle Bob