by Peter Foldy
Los Angeles: October 11, 2014
Just like often retold bible stories, the brilliant career of the BEATLES continues to be celebrated and deservedly grow to legendary status throughout the world. Fifty two years after the release of their first single, “Love Me Do” on October 5, 1962, the Fab Four are famous and successful beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.
Early on in their careers,
the Beatles themselves predicted maybe a five year run. Ringo talked of opening hairstyling saloons when he thought his Magical Mystery Tour would come to an end. And in-fact the Fabs only stayed together as a group for something like a dozen years if you count the Quarrymen period, but in those twelve years they changed the world and it is fair to say that the impact they made on their audience is immeasurable.
It’s no surprise then that the FEST FOR BEATLES FANS 2014, currently underway at the LAX Airport Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles is finding a devoted audience who have been showing up to bask in the Beatle mystique. Celebrating 40 years of the Fest, the promoters have gathered an impressive collection of Beatle memorabilia, all avail available for purchase at the Airport Marriott. Cups, mugs, luggage, poster and photographs, all with a Beatles theme. And then there are the books.
Just when you thought you have seen every book on the Beatles ever written, this festival brings you even more. And some seem fascinating.
“Liddypool’ by David Bedford (www.liddypool.com) promises unprecedented research into Liverpool, the city where the Beatles grew up. Complete with eight hundred images, exclusive interviews with people who knew them personally as well as a foreword by fired Beatles drummer, Pete Best, “Liddypool” promises to separate fact from fiction. Skimming the pages it certainly seems like a fascinating read.
On the lighter literary side comes “Confessions of a Beatlemaniac” by Dee Elias. (www.ConfessionsofaBeatlesManiac.com) A true story of a fan who broke all the rules to meet the Beatles. When I met Ms. Elias this afternoon at the Fest, she shared stories of how she actually met the Fabs and also proudly showed me a single sock enshrined in a glass frame that the author stole 
from singer, Billy J. Kramer’s room while he was sleeping some fifty years earlier. She was about to return the sock to Mr. Kramer momentarily, him being probably unaware that it had gone missing. Unfortunately I couldn’t stick around to witness the momentous event.
Another seemingly interesting literary work is “The Beatle Who Vanished” by Jim Berkenstadt. (www.TheBeatleWhoVanished.com) It is the first historical account of Jimmie Nicol, the mostly unknown drummer who replaced Ringo Starr on tour for thirteen days in 1964. Berkenstadt promises to solve the mystery of what happened to the man who become a footnote in Beatle history. Riddled with betrayal, drugs, divorce, bankruptcy and an eventual disappearance, many have wondered whether Jimmie Nicol is dead or alive. Berkenstadt’s book has the answer.
But it isn’t just memorabilia you will find at The Fest for 
Beatle Fans. As we have now come to understand, the Fab Four had a Midas touch and anyone who every had anything to do with the group is also still in demand by the public at large.
The promoters have gathered a fine collection of “Beatle people.” Some of the special guests include PETER ASHER of Peter & Gordon fame, the aforementioned BILLY J. KRAMER, DENNY LAINE, (a member of Paul McCartney’s “Wings,”) JACK OLIVER, former President of Apple Records, BOB EUBANKS who presented the Beatles live in concert at the Hollywood Bowl and later at Dodger Stadium, Beatle fan club president and former Beatles secretary, FREDA KELLY, and JOHN KOSH, art director of Apple records and the man who designed Abbey Road album cover.
CHRIS CARTER, host
of KLOS’ “Breakfast With The Beatles” radio show conducts the interviews and Mr. Carter will be broadcasting his program live from The Fest on Sunday morning, October 12!
There are live bands, movie screenings, and a great environment that brings a feeling of comforting nostalgia.
As the Fab Four once told us, all you need is love, and if it’s the Beatles you care about, The Fest for Beatle Fans, 2014 is definitely the place to be.
Closing 11pm, Sunday October 12, 2014.
LAX Airport Marriott
5855 West Century Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90045
Tickets on sale at the event.
