"Come together!" a member of German Beatles cover band Lucy in The Sky yelled from the roof of the Hyatt Regency yesterday . "Come to Abbey Road on the River!"
"We'll be there!" responded audience member Gayle Dudley, 55, from Columbus, Ind. "We never get tired of The Beatles!"
It seemed like no one in the crowd at the kick-off concert for this weekend's Abbey Road on the River celebration at Belvedere Festival Park and the Galt House could get enough of the timeless tunes.
The street in front of the Hyatt, Third and Jefferson streets, was closed to vehicles so Beatles lovers could safely gather to enjoy the show. It was a fun, free love-in, with fans singing along, dreamily dancing Summer of Love-style, and even shaking star-shaped tambourines to the beat.
Tambourinist Kim Horchler, 49, said she drove five hours from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, for the fest. She used to attend in Cleveland, the original location.
"I was sad when it left," she sa id. But she's ecstatic that the festival lives on. Her favorite Beatles song of all time is "In My Life."
Yesterday's al fresco concert was a loose re-creation of the legendary Jan. 30, 1969, concert The Beatles (and keyboardist Billy Preston) played on the rooftop of the Apple Corps headquarters on Savile Row in London. They mostly played tracks from their "Let It Be" album.
At yesterday's roof-top concert, cover bands including The Norwegian Beatles, The Beafore and Lucy played a variety of hits including "I Feel Fine," "Ticket To Ride" and the very appropriate "Good Day Sunshine." One of the highlights of Lucy In The Sky's set was a performance of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in German.
Paul Kantner, 47, from New Albany, Ind., was really getting into the groove, hopping around, making flowy arm gestures and becoming one with the music. He said he's tried to pass his Beatles-love on to his children, but they're more interested in Green Day. "I made a valid protest against Green Day," he said, adding that he's disturbed by what he called the trio's profane lyrics. But still: "My kids have not taken up The Beatles."
As Lucy In The Sky ripped into a rocky, electric guitar-driven version of "Eleanor Rigby," Chelsea Bessler, 19, from Batesville, Ind., reflected on the Fab Four.
"I like (their music) so much better than all the music nowadays," she says. "It has a lot of meaning behind it." Chelsea, who had a vintage Beatles purse she got for her birthday slung over her shoulder, said she is an even bigger fan than her mother, Candy Bessler, 52.
"I came because my daughter loves The Beatles," Bessler admitted.
Paula Smith, 58, came from Batesville with much of her family in tow, including daughter Sandy Foster, 41. "I was listening to them while I was carrying her," Smith said. "I used to sit in front of the TV and kiss it when Paul McCartney was on."
Reporter Tamara Ikenberg can be reached at (502) 582-4174.
IF YOU GO
What: courier-journal.com Abbey Road on the River
When: Continues May 22-25
Where: Belvedere Festival Park, Fifth and Main streets, and The Galt House , Fourth and Main streets
Cost: Single-day tickets are $15, $20, $40 and $60, with each higher price offering more events. Weekend passes, sold only in advance, are $99.95 and $179.95. Each ticket purchase includes a free ticket for ages 21 and under.
For detailed information go to www.abbeyroadontheriver.com.
The beat
goes on
To see more photos from the roof top concert and the first day of Abbey Road on the River, go to www.courier-journal.com
| Abbey Road on the River is produced by Abbey Road on the River LLC, a Kentucky Limited Liability Corporation, and 365 Events, an Ohio Corporation.
For more information, call 216.378.1980 or e-mail. "The Beatles" is a federally registered trademark of Apple Corps Limited ("Apple"). Abbey Road on the River is not endorsed by or affiliated with Apple Corps Limited. All sales Final. No refunds. If you are traveling and cannot attend, you will be issued a credit for the 2011 AROTR |