The Fest for Beatles Fans (formerly known as Beatlefest) has been delighting Beatles fans for more than 50 years. Mark Lapidos, the founder of the Fest got personal approval from none other than John Lennon back in 1974 to put on an official gathering to celebrate the musical legacy of the lads from Liverpool. Mark and his wife Carol do a splendid job, on an annual basis, creating a party like atmosphere for dedicated Beatles fans. Going to a Fest gives you clear proof and affirmation of the Beatles cross-generational appeal as the age of their audiences run the full spectrum from toddlers to senior citizens.
Beatles Collectors
These Fests are so successful, they are run on a yearly basis in cities like Chicago and NY/NJ. There are many repeat attendees and there is a significant amount of new participants each year as well. As a collector I was amazed, particularly at many of the early conventions, of the dealer’s room where you could purchase items that you had been searching for a considerably long time.
The wonderful opportunity of meeting people in the Beatles inner circle over the years was another fascinating appeal of the conventions. If they were promoting a book, you were able to obtain their autograph. The Fest has a periodic catalog they issue to inform Beatles fans of popular new Beatles-related items. (link provided at the bottom of this post).
Beatles Scholars
There are many Beatles discussion groups featuring various Beatles scholars who often give fascinating presentations. There are rare films presented and there is much live and entertaining musical performances performed by Beatles cover bands and many of the musical celebrities that are guests at the Fests. At the conventions, they also produce a yearly program which talks about the scheduled guests appearing at the Fests. For those who can’t attend the conventions personally, Mark and Carol have also made arrangements for digital remote hook-ups where you can view many of the main Ballroom events first hand from afar and online. There is so much to do at these conventions, you will be thoroughly amazed at how quickly the time goes by and as the conventions wind down, many people are already inquiring about the following year’s festivities.
The Lapidos Family Fest
Here are a few samples of some of the Fest’s programs distributed at the conventions: Special commendation goes out to Carol Lapidos for her program and artistic designs over the years. The conventions put together by the Lapidos family are true full family affairs as the two Lapidos daughters are also greatly involved with the Fest’s operation and organization!
Program sample #1:
Program Sample #2:
Program Sample #3:
Signatures
In a few recent posts on Buzz’s Beatles Book/ Print Blog, I posted the signatures that I had purchased from a Beatles collector in NJ of many of the supporting actors and actresses that had appeared in “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Help”, “Magical Mystery Tour” and some of the people involved in the production of the animated classic, “Yellow Submarine.” For privacy purposes, we will call him Jim D. Jim D. acquired quite the signature collection in the movie item signatures that I mentioned above and now I would like to present another item I acquired from him (shown below).
These are signatures that he obtained personally at the Fests, asking the people to sign the Fest program. (Purchasing the 2 scrapbooks of autographs that Jim had obtained was one of my favorite acquisitions for my collection.) Many of the people that signed his programs are no longer alive, but with these signatures they live on in another way. As a collector of Beatles print-related material, I depend upon The Fest for Beatles Fans as a primary source to purchase and obtain signed books by the authors of new Beatles books.
The Fest performs a wonderful service in doing that for their customers. I can’t tell you how many times that I have had email conversations with Mark about a forthcoming Beatles book and he does everything he can to obtain signed versions of the book for his customers in his Online and print catalogs. I will always be grateful for this service. As it turns out these signatures are not in a book but they were obtained through the Fest through another collector.
Here is a description of some of the signatures that Jim was able to acquire in the Fest’s various programs:
Geoffrey Ellis (deceased-2018) – a friend of Brian Epstein’s and co-Director of NEMS. Later, Ellis was to work for Dick James!
Pauline Sutcliffe (deceased-2019) – Stu Sutcliffe’s sister. She had published several books about her artistic brother over the years.
Alan Clayson – author who has written several Beatles-related books over the years.
Delbert McClinton: The gentleman who gave some harmonica tips to John Lennon around the time Bruce Channel’s “Hey Baby” was becoming a hit single. Delbert was in Bruce’s band.
Alistair Taylor (deceased): The Beatles Mr. Fix-It. Alistair worked for Brian Epstein and accompanied him to the Cavern to hear the Beatles for the first time.
Mike McCartney: (also known as Mike McGear) Paul McCartney’s brother. Has several wonderful photography books including a very beautiful Genesis Publications Limited edition title. He of course is also a musician who has had several hits. He played in the group Scaffold.
Al Brodax (deceased-2016) – involved with the production of the Beatles cartoons and the Yellow Submarine film.
Tony Barrow (deceased-2016) – Beatles publicist. Has written several books about the Beatles and one about Paul McCartney
Gordon Waller: (deceased-2009) the other half of the famous duo, Peter and Gordon. They had many giant hits in the sixties.
Doris Troy (deceased-2004) prominent singer and musician known for the hit “Just One Look.”
Tony Bramwell (deceased-2024)- produced and filmed many of the Beatles early promo films. Also wrote a Beatles book.
Neil Innes (deceased-2019) – member of the Rutles and the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. Funny guy who will be missed by many. A biography written by the wife of Innes is due soon.
Larry Kane – accompanied the Beatles on their 64 and 65 tours. Wrote a couple of interesting Beatles-related books.
Jim Horn: horn player who was one of the few musicians to have been involved with musical projects with every member of the Fab 4.
Hamish Stuart-former member of the Average White Band, Hamish played guitar and did vocal harmonies for one of the band incarnations of Paul McCartney. Still awaiting the release of the full orchestral version of Hamish’s and Paul’s beautiful tune “Is It Raining in London.”
Sid Bernstein (deceased-2013) produced the Shea Stadium concert-also has written a book with his many Beatles stories.
Robbie McIntosh-lead guitarist for Paul McCartney during one of Paul’s many band configurations over the years!
Sam Leach -(deceased-2008) promoter of the Beatles in Liverpool. Wrote a book entitled “The Birth of the Beatles.”
Martin Lewis–British host and humorist, radio announcer and producer. Served as a consultant of many Beatles projects including “The Beatles Anthology.”
Victor Spinetti (deceased-2012)-noted British actor and comedian. Appeared in “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Help” and “Magical Mystery Tour.”
Greg Hawkes-keyboardist for “The Cars” who were heavily influenced by the Beatles.
Mark Hudson-record producer, and musician. Produced Ringo on several albums. Played in the Roundheads. Produced a Joey Molland LP among his many accomplishments in the music industry as well as being a member of the Hudson Brothers who had a major hit with ” And So You Are a Star.”
The Hudson Brothers – So You are a Star – YouTube
Three members of the Quarrymen Colin Hanton, Len Garry, and Rod Davis: John Lennon’s first band
Norman “Hurricane” Smith (deceased-2008) one of the Beatles first engineers. Later became a producer and wrote and performed a hit single “Oh Babe, What Would You Say.”
Terry Sylvester: Member of the Escorts and the Hollies
Mark Hudson: producer of many Ringo Starr LP’s, produced Joey Molland, musician songwriter who was heavily influenced by the Beatles.
Bob Gruen: Noted and well-known photographer who took many legendary photos of both John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Has produced numerous photography books about his work over the years!
Three members of the Smithereens: Pat Dinizio (deceased-2017), Dennis Diken and Jim Babjak. A group heavily influenced by the Beatles. Covered numerous Beatles songs over the years.
Larry Kane: Appears once again, a member in our large cast of characters. Was on both the 64 and 65 Beatles tours as a reporter and observer.
Paul Saltzman: Can’t determine what Paul wrote in place of his signature on this page. Paul took some of the most beautiful photos of the Beatles ever taken, in India (1968). He is a film producer and has written a couple of books about the Beatles and their journey to India.
Joey Molland one of the last surviving Badfinger original members. Has released an album produced by Mark Hudson in the last couple of years entitled “Be True to Yourself.” Julian Lennon took the cover photo and sang backing vocals on three of the songs.
Gary Wright (deceased-2023) musician and keyboard player wrote the classic song “Dream Weaver.” Played with George Harrison on a few of his LP’s and also with George with the group Wonderwheel on the Dick Cavett show
Two Faced Man – Gary Wright and the Wonder Wheel featuring George Harrison – YouTube
Freda Kelly-the Beatles fan secretary for many years. Produced an excellent dvd documentary about her involvement with the Beatles over the years.
Mark Hudson: See descriptions in the notations above
Denny Seiwell: former Wings drummer who appeared on the Ram album
Mark Hudson-Former Ringo producer, musician and songwriter
Spencer Davis (deceased-2020)-played with Traffic’s Steve Winwood and also visited the Beatles while they were filming “Magical Mystery Tour.”
Chris Montez-had a hit with the 1962 record “Let’s Dance.” early tours. He was one of the last acts that the Beatles would open for.
Here is an interesting story about Chris Montez and the Beatles:
THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BRAWL BETWEEN JOHN LENNON & CHRIS MONTEZ IN 1963! EXCLUSIVE! (pleasekillme.com)
Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits-one of the few people still around that knew both John Lennon and his father Freddie Lennon. Was the lead singer of Herman’s Hermits. Had numerous hits in the 60’s and is still very active both in personal appearances and Online.
Billy J. Kramer-the Beatles wrote several hit songs for him including “Bad To Me.” Still active in making personal appearances and he recently released a new LP.
Ken Scott-engineered some of the Beatle recordings. Produced a great book entitled “From Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust.”
Chas Newby (deceased-2023)-a bass player who was to sit in with the Beatles on a few gigs as the Casbah Club back in 1960.
A few more signatures that collector Jim from NJ acquired of musician Gary Wright and photographer Allen Tannenbaum who took some of the last photos of John Lennon.
Micky Dolenz-the last surviving member of the Monkees and a Beatles friend. The Monkees were one of the most popular bands of the 60’s. Despite the accusations that they were a manufactured group by Hollywood’s musical magnates, they managed to record and perform many memorable hit songs that live on through the years.
Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon: The other half of the Peter and Gordon duo who performed on so many hits written by Paul McCartney in the 60’s. Peter later became a legendary record producer. He has written a few books in recent years!
Henry McCulloch: (deceased-2016) former member of Wings . The lead guitarist who performed the memorable “My Love” solo.
Denny Seiwell: former drummer for Wings. Played on the Ram album
Rob Shanahan: photographer who has photographed both Ringo and Paul on numerous occasions! I have both Vol 1 and Vol 2 of his hardback photography books. Great photos!
Mark Hudson: (See the description of Mark in the notations above.)
Roger Farrington: The photographer who took the first officially sanctioned photos of John Lennon when he came out of retirement in 1980.
Allan Tannenbaum: Another photographer who took some of the last professional photographs of John Lennon!
A photo of Nancy Lee Andrews who at one time was going to marry Ringo Starr. This photo was obtained by Jim D. and was included in the scrapbook I bought from him.
Until I recently noticed this signature I did not realize that I also have the signature of bass player Chas Newby(deceased), who performed with the Beatles on a couple of rare occasions
Someday I need to find my signatures obtained at the Fest on one of their programs of Vince Calandra, the gentleman who along with Neil Aspinall, subbed for George Harrison at the rehearsal of the first Beatles Ed Sullivan show. George was back at the hotel as he was very ill and there are pictures of Vince standing in for him. I also have Walter Shenson’s signature the producer of the “Hard Day’s Night” film on a Fest program. However most of the signatures I have obtained over the years from the Fest is from signed books either by mail order or in person.
The Beatles: The Night That Changed America – A GRAMMY Salute – Meet Vince Calandra (youtube.com)
Neil Aspinall standing in for George:
Vince Calandra standing in for George Harrison at the rehearsal for the Ed Sullivan show:
The Fest for Beatles Fans
In summary, the Fest for Beatles Fans has provided me with a motherlode of signature acquisitions for my Beatles collection for which I will always be grateful to the Lapidos family.
For further information about the catalog that the family sends out on a regular basis, please go to this site and happy Beatles hunting!!! Thanks Mark and Carol for helping to keep the magic of the Beatles alive and kicking!!!
Beatles Gifts and Products, The Fest for Beatles Fans
Have you been to the Fest? How many times? Who was your favourite guest?
Buzz
The Beatles
Books about The Beatles as a group
