If you've never been to a Fest for Beatles Fans, you haven't lived! There are three Fests across the United States, and last year, I attended all three - one in New York City (the Meadowlands) in March, one in Las Vegas in June/July, and one in Chicago in August. The Fests celebrate anything and everything Beatle, and fans gather from all over the world to sing, dance, shop, learn, and reminisce about the Fab Four.
It was at the Meadowlands Fest last March that I met Sandy Hetherington!
Sandy is a Fest for Beatles Fans veteran. She's been to 10 of them including Chicago's last year! And she's met so many cool, famous Beatle people there. For example, here she is with one of her very favorite people, Sid Bernstein!
At our first meeting, Sandy and I really hit it off. We knew that we were "Beatle sisters," being not only huge fans, but moms, gardeners, and New York girls (I lived an hour out of the city; she lived three hours out).
As the months passed, Sandy and I began to e-mail and share photos of our gardens with one another. Here is a glimpse of hers. (It made mine look like "ducky wucky," BTW)
But - there was a BIG difference in what we've been doing over the past 20 years. While I was cloistered away writing, Sandy has been busy going and going and meeting the people who made The Beatles, The Beatles. Here she is, for example, with the One and Only Pete Best.
And here she is with Colin Hanton and Len Garry of The Quarry Men!
Okay, now I feel like a recluse - here she is with Norm "Hurricane" Smith and his wife.
And (excuse me for living!!!) here she is yet again with Terry Sylvester of the Hollies in 2007!
Hmmmmm - I truly thought I liked Sandy, but now that I see her with Mark Hudson (the coolest, nicest rocker ever), I must admit, I'm beginning to re-think a bit here!
Luckily, I have no photo of Sandy with Ringo or Paul, or things might get a little testy. Although, she's been close enough to almost touch Paul. Yeah, her best seat was in Philadelphia in 1993, third row on the inside aisle. Not to mention Washington DC in 2005, 19th row on the aisle. Okay, I am jealous!!!! No seriously - Sandy is a sweetheart. She has been hooked on The Beatles since age 5, when she danced around her parents' living room to "Eight Days A Week." She loved to dance then; she loves to dance now, and if you'll join us in March for the Meadowland Fest, we'll teach you to "Twist and Shout."
It was Sandy's dear friend, the late Brick Shoemaker, who truly brought her into the Beatle fold. In the 70's, their close group of friends used to ride around in Norry (Northumberland) and Sunbury, PA in his parents' Rambler and listen to Beatle songs on the eight track tape player. Sound familiar to anyone out there? Her best memories were of those times and listening to George's "Living In The Material World" and "Sgt. Pepper's." When I asked her what her favorite songs were she replied as any true Beatles fan would; all of them!! She does have a few near and dear to her heart. "In My Life," "Helter Skelter," "The End," "Dear Prudence," "Get Back," and "The Long and Winding Road." She couldn't survive one week without listening to "Rubber Soul," "Abbey Road," and "The White Album."
The night that John was shot, Sandy and her friends gathered on that cold, wet winter night to plan their three-hour trek into New York City just to stand with the crowds in Strawberry Fields. But understandably, Sandy's parents didn't think the small group of young people going off into the city unescorted was a good idea - not even for something so tragic and so important. So Sandy and her buds stayed up all night together - talking, crying, remembering and listening to "Imagine" over and over.
Since then, Sandy has truly valued every moment with her remaining Beatles. She collects all sorts of memorabilia; she goes to all the Fests in her area and every time Paul or Ringo tour, she's there. She reads Beatle books hungrily and listens to their music every day. She is a true fan! And yes, she takes every opportunity to meet Beatle People. Here she is with Donovan.
And with Gordon Waller (of Peter & Gordon)
And here are a few photos from her daughter's most recent trip to Liverpool; how did she manage to get there before Mom??? What's wrong with that picture? Well, it must have been those Fests at an early age and her love of John Lennon that led her there.
As you can see, Sandy has had many amazing, once-in-a-lifetime encounters with some of the greatest legends of our time. And she has had some experiences we'd all love to have! She's walked in New York's Strawberry Fields and waved to Yoko at The Dakota. She's seen Paul three times and Ringo once. Sandy has truly enjoyed being a product of the Sixties - she has rocked 'n' rolled with the best of them.
But if she had to choose her very favorite photos, I'm sure it would be these. She's proud her children have become the next generation of Beatles fans.
Sandy is a devoted mom who knows how very blessed she is to have such wonderful kids! Good on yer, gerl! Rave on.
