When we heard Toronto would be hosting a Beatles convention, we had to send the only person who we knew would be able to give the celebration some justice, our resident Beatles fanatic Rick Levine. Here is his report.

Beatles fans got the opportunity to attend the first “Toronto Beatles Celebration” at the C.N.E.’s Queen Elizabeth Building this weekend on the 40th anniversary of the Beatles’ last concert in the city. With over 50 vendors promoting everything from kitschy Beatles coasters to rare collectables, there was something for everyone.

The event was “host to the largest collection of world-class Beatles memorabilia ever assembled in Canada,” said show producer David Goyette. Among the items on display was the famous drum skin that adorned Ringo’s drums on their Ed Sullivan appearance. On display was the actual famous buff-coloured, Nehru-collared jacket Paul wore during the Shea Stadium concert. It was pretty cool to see the actual dual-collared suit jacket worn by the Beatles in their first movie, “Hard Days Night.”

Famous names connected with the Beatles were on hand for a meet and greet. Attendees lined up for hours to have a chat and a photo with May Pang, a former intimate of John Lennon in the 1970s, as well as original drummer Pete Best.

May was a sweetheart. Upon meeting her, one could understand the attraction John would have had. To find out more about May and her Beatles connection, visit her web site, maypang.com.

Best comes across like a real nice fella. Ask him anything about his life, Pete takes it all in stride, handling the most poignant questions like the true gentleman he is. Pete has that Liverpudlian charm so ya gotta luv ‘em.

After all these years, even Pete doesn’t have a definitive answer to the mysteriously never-ending question, “Why did you get kicked out of the band?” In this writer’s opinion, that’s the music business for you, isn’t it? Bands change members all the time, so it’s a fact of life that goes with the territory. One would be hard pressed to name a band in existence today, from the Stones to Chicago, who have not had a change of personnel for one reason or the other. The timing on Pete’s exit was heartbreaking, however even more so, considering Pete Best really seems like a lovely chap. Find out more about Pete at: petebest.com.

Today, Pete tours with his own band and recently released an album “Best of the Beatles.” Read andPOP’s interview with Pete.

Live concerts were performed by the Canadian subsidiary of the “Fab Four” who played on the show floor stage. Peter Durrant, director, media relations, invited me to view the headline Beatle’s tribute band billed as the best in the world by Rolling Stone magazine, “1964 The Tribute.”

“1964 The Tribute” playing in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre was truly thrilling. Every note and every harmony was perfect. I cannot image a better performance that genuinely felt the next best thing to having seen the Beatles perform live.

The show’s producers were pleased with the attendance and told andPOP that they hope to be able to build upon both the event as well as increase public interest in the future. Bravo to the show producers, performers and special guests! Hopefully we will see another bigger and better Beatles celebration in Toronto soon – if so, then I’ll be there, with my Beatles T-shirt and all!






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