I’m dedicating this first item to Frank Carr. Frank and I were two of the founding members (along with David Drazin and Lake Sirmon) when the Chicago-based comedy group Famous In The Future launched in 1989, and he kept things running after I departed about two decades later. More recently, Frank has been the driving force behind the annual YippieFest, an unofficial offshoot of the Abbie Fest staged for several years by Rich Cotovsky at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. YippieFest 2023 will be held at the Pride Arts venue on August 4 – 6. Frank is possibly the world’s most ardent Syd Barrett Fan, so I’m sure he’ll be interested in the following news.
The documentary Have You Got It Yet? - The Story Of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd opened at Everyman Cinemas across the U.K yesterday, and is expected to arrive in America sometime this summer. Directed by Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgeson, it’s narrated by Jason Issacs and features new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason regarding their brilliant but troubled former Pink Floyd member. Fans can pre-order Have You Got It Yet? t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts at the official Syd Barrett online shop.
Speaking of psychedelic 1960s British rock, Fest For Beatles Fans has announced the lineup for its August 11 – 13 event in Chicago. The Fest offers an eclectic mix of live music, interviews, art, photography, contests, merchandise, and a costume party. WXRT radio personality and host of the stations’s weekly Breakfast With The Beatles program, Terri Hemmert, will return as Master Of Ceremonies. It’s a role she’s filled since 1978. See the Fest For Beatles Fans website for all the details.
Following its tradition of booking guests with close ties to The Beatles, The Fest has lined up Patti Boyd, Mark Rivera, Gregg Bissonette, and The Lads From Liverpool this year. Boyd, returning to the Chicago event for the first time in 15 years, is obviously the biggest draw, having been an integral part of the swinging ‘60s English film, fashion, and music scene. I was at The Fest for that previous appearance, and her recollections of being married to George Harrison were touching and fascinating. This time out, Boyd will be promoting her new My Life in Photos book and autographing copies. Sax player Rivera and drummer Bissonette have toured with Ringo Starr in recent years. The Lads From Liverpool are original British Invasion stars singer Billy J. Kramer, guitarist-vocalist Joey Molland from Badfinger, and guitarist-vocalist Terry Sylvester from The Escorts and The Hollies. In addition to being friends of The Beatles, all three of these lads are Fest veterans who obviously enjoy talking with their fans.
Chicago-based Fest For Beatles Fans regulars will also welcome concerts in the Main Ballroom by long-time favorites Liverpool, an amazing Beatles covers band, and The Weeklings, an offshoot of Liverpool that creates original songs inspired by The Beatles. The smaller Apple Jam Stage will offer tried-and-true performers such as Cellophane Flowers, Phil Angotti and Friends; Scott Erickson, and My Sweet George. Cellophane Flowers and Phil Angotti and Friends will also perform in the Main Ballroom.
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