Love, Peace, Acceptance, words that sound good together. Having those three things would be even better. Utopian ideas have always been desired in our world and one band that put those ideas to music was the Beatles.
If you wonder what it could feel like to live in a world like that once a year in August that place exists in the Chicago area for a weekend. It is called The Fest for Beatles Fans this event has to do with anything and everything Beatles.
The 2007 fest debuted in the US premiere of a film released in Britain in 1968 called All My Loving. The long trip over the ocean for this documentary about pop music of the 60’s features Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Who and of course the Beatles. The festival snuck in a special guest from Liverpool, England and 60’s pop sensation Terry Sylvester from the Hollies.
A few of the annual steady contingent; Master of Ceremonies Terri Hemmert is WXRT’s host for Breakfast with the Beatles. For the kid in you Bob Abdou and his band of Beatle Puppets put on a fun and entertaining show. The crowd favorite the Band Liverpool performed a special tribute to Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band playing side “A” of the album in sequence on Saturday night and side “B” on Sunday night. 2007 Marks the 40th Anniversary of the first Psychedelic rock album released.
Another crowd favorite and Chicago parody music artist Danny Donuts put on quite a show with his parody of Revolution. He pointed out many of the construction changes that had happened over the past year to the hotel. It was so popular that after his Friday night performance they persuaded him to do an encore performance of the parody on Sunday night.
If you are itching for your own Beatles T-Shirt or your own replica of the 1964 suit worn on the Ed Sullivan Show you can wander down the stairs to the Giant Beatles Marketplace. There is everything to new merchandise to vintage collectables.
Mark your calendar for August 8, 9, 10, 2008 the next Chicago Fest for Beatles Fans, and after a Hard Days Night strap on your Rubber Souls. As for the Revolver just Let it Be. Join the Magical Mystery Tour in your Yellow Submarine with Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band take it down Abby Road to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. When you get there tell them “Help! I’m looking for The Beatles.” They may reply we have a lot of Beatles for Sale at the Giant Beatles Marketplace. You then Beg, “Please, Please Me.” Before you know it you wake up from the dream in the Grand Ballroom and you’re rocking it out With The Beatles. More information at www.thefestforbeatlesfans.com