Pattie grew up in New York City...more accurately in Carmine Street, The Village. By the time she was nine, she had discovered magic the magic of The Fab Four who had invaded America with their mop tops, oooohs, and yeah-yeah-yeahs. Pattie had been playing guitar since age 7, but the musical impetus of The Beatles swept her away from the Peter-Paul-and-Mary/Kingston Trio world of folk tunes into the land of rock'n'roll!!
One afternoon in 1972, Pattie had a close encounter of the Lennon kind...well, wait. Let's let Pattie tell the story:
"In 1972, I was walking from my place to my friend's
home to practice, so I was carrying my guitar. I was hustling down
the sidewalk when I noticed this couple coming towards me on the
same sidewalk
(on Greenwich, close to Charles Street). When they got a
little closer, I could tell it was John and Yoko. They must have
been coming from their place on Bank and going God knows where!
I really didn't have a clue what to do or say. I mean, I was 13
at the time and just as much a "John girl" then as I
am now. I knew they lived on Bank and had even walked past their
place a few times "just in case" But this was it! This
was the real deal.
Anyway, when they got within a few feet of me, John looked straight at me over the top of his sunglasses, gave me this HUGE grin, and said, "Good morning!" Then...they just kept walking. Yoko smiled but didn't say anything. He was so close to me, I could actually smell him when he passed me! The corner of his jacket even brushed me the tiniest bit.
I was totally and completely gobsmacked! I said NOTHING. I could barely move, much less speak. I've been around celebrities my entire life, and that's the one and only time that I was just overcome. I watched them till they turned the corner and that was it. That was it...a minute of my life that I think about almost every day.
When I got to my rehearsal, I was blabbering like an idiot to my friends, telling them what happened and my friend Joei said "Good morning?! It's 3 in the afternoon!" I guess it was morning to John! To me, time had simply stood still."
Like most of us, Pattie has changed very little since that day in '72. She still plays guitar, although now she is an accomplished singer and musician whose acoustic Beatles tribute duo, "Luv Me Deux," (with her dear friend, Sharon Richards*) has performed throughout Florida and even in Liverpool! Click on the link below to listen to some of my favorite Lux Me Deux cuts. (They will leave you goosebumpy.)
Pattie experienced the dream of a lifetime last February when Luv Me Deux journeyed to Liddypool to perform at Bar Du Fay on Stanley Street. But if you missed her there, you can still see Pattie and Sharon in action at The Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago (August 8-10, 2008). They'll be performing at the Sound Alike Contest on Saturday afternoon! Come cheer them on!!!!
But wait, that's not all...Pattie will also be selling a never-before released and AWESOME work of art capturing the life of John Lennon in collage image by Swedish artist, Per Inge. This limited edition print can be purchased signed or unsigned. I have purchased seven!!! True Lennon fans will not want to miss this lovely, amazing print.
Pattie would love to hear from other Beatle fans. Please write to her through her MySpace.com page. Come meet her in Chicago. Listen to Luv Me Deux!!!!!! And be prepared. You never know whom you'll meet on the street. Right, Pattie?
