Post by OldFred on Mar 28, 2009 21:54:02 GMT -5
Got back from the NJ Fest For Beatles Fans convention and it was a lot of fun today. They had an early bird special at 11 AM of the East Coast premiere of a new film produced by Mark & Brett Hudson on Neil Innes titled 'The 7th Python', covering Neil's amazing career from the Bonzo Doo Dah Dog Band to The Rutles. The interviews with passerbys who were asked if they knew who Neil was from photos shown was hysterical. ("You mean you're making a documentary on somebody no one has ever heard of before?") The film had great clips and new interviews with former Pythons John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Eric Idle. It also chronicled one of Neil's tours. An interesting revelation of the film is that even though he appreciates it, how much Neil detests public adulation and remains basically a pretty humble guy. Neil's appearance at the convention later in the day was just as fun and entertaining, with him performing his own songs, including the Rutles, and a very moving rendition of George Harrison's 'Beware of Darkness'.
Author Bruce Spizer gave a slide show lecture on his wonderful book 'The Beatles Are Coming', covering the Beatles conquering of America. Afterwards I was able to get a copy of his Swan Song book which I recommend.
Victor Spinetti was one of the other special guests at the convention, again relating his wonderful Beatles songs and just winning over the fans who crowded the ballroom to see him. The love shown to Victor was very genuine and it moved him to tears. During the Q&A I asked about the late Roy Kinnear who co-starred with him in 'Help!' and the Mike & The Mechanics video 'All I Need Is A Miracle'. Victor told a very moving story that before his tragic accidental death on the set of one of the 'Three Musketeers' movies, Roy had set up an insurance policy that would start paying dividends when he turned 55, assuring his family would be taken care of. He was killed just before he turned 55, so the company refused to dole out the money to Kinnear's family who desperately needed it. Victor went out of his way to fight for the rights of Roy's family, and the story just said a lot about Victor's character.
Ronnie Spector was the other special guest at the convention and she told some great stories of touring with the Beatles and her personal battles with her ex Phil Spector. She was very warm, funny and extremely inspirational and treated the fans to samples of her great singing voice and she just won over the crowd which packed the ballroom.
I unfortunately couldn't stay for the rest of the festivities, so I missed Mark and Brett Hudson and the musical performances later in the day, but overall I had a great time at this years' convention. I hope others who went today and this weekend can fill in the gaps of how the rest of the convention went.
Author Bruce Spizer gave a slide show lecture on his wonderful book 'The Beatles Are Coming', covering the Beatles conquering of America. Afterwards I was able to get a copy of his Swan Song book which I recommend.
Victor Spinetti was one of the other special guests at the convention, again relating his wonderful Beatles songs and just winning over the fans who crowded the ballroom to see him. The love shown to Victor was very genuine and it moved him to tears. During the Q&A I asked about the late Roy Kinnear who co-starred with him in 'Help!' and the Mike & The Mechanics video 'All I Need Is A Miracle'. Victor told a very moving story that before his tragic accidental death on the set of one of the 'Three Musketeers' movies, Roy had set up an insurance policy that would start paying dividends when he turned 55, assuring his family would be taken care of. He was killed just before he turned 55, so the company refused to dole out the money to Kinnear's family who desperately needed it. Victor went out of his way to fight for the rights of Roy's family, and the story just said a lot about Victor's character.
Ronnie Spector was the other special guest at the convention and she told some great stories of touring with the Beatles and her personal battles with her ex Phil Spector. She was very warm, funny and extremely inspirational and treated the fans to samples of her great singing voice and she just won over the crowd which packed the ballroom.
I unfortunately couldn't stay for the rest of the festivities, so I missed Mark and Brett Hudson and the musical performances later in the day, but overall I had a great time at this years' convention. I hope others who went today and this weekend can fill in the gaps of how the rest of the convention went.