Gatecrashing a Beatles film premiere in July 1968 (anniversary story)
David Stark is a London-based music industry veteran who runs songwriters' resource www.SongLink.com, and is also a big Beatles fan who was lucky enough to meet all members of the group on various memorable occasions, as chronicled in his recent book "IT’S ALL TOO MUCH - Adventures of a Teenage Beatles Fan in the '60s and Beyond."
Next month marks the 53rd anniversary of his most audacious exploit: gate-crashing the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" film premiere on July 17th 1968, ending up sitting directly behind Paul McCartney and the whole group, with a bit of help from Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. It's an unbelievable story of how a 15-year old fan was able to spend two hours on the roof of the London Pavilion cinema before bluffing his way through security to end up sitting directly behind his musical heroes in a seat reserved for the absent Mick Jagger!! The event was the last-ever outpouring of mass Beatlemania on the streets of London, as the
"IT’S ALL TOO MUCH" includes many more amazing stories about Stark's encounters with all members of the Fab Four (he last met John Lennon on July 15th 1971 in Selfridges) ; along with stories about his career in the music business; playing drums with various bands (currently with the Trembling Wilburys tribute band); and just being in the right place at the right time thanks to his undeniable "chutzpah" i.e. making my own luck.
As Stark says, "I was a total Beatles nut from the time I first heard "Please Please Me" at the age of 10 in 1963, following which I soon started my many Beatles scrapbooks which I kept going right through the '60s and still have. I only saw the group playing live on one occasion - at Hammersmith Odeon in early 1965 - but was lucky enough to meet them all on various memorable occasions thanks to my perseverance and sheer cheek which got me into their film premieres and many other events."
Stark still retain a connection with Paul McCartney due to his long-standing involvement with LIPA, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, of which Sir Paul is the Lead Patron. In 2006 he was inducted as a "Companion of LIPA" for his work with songwriting students, and presents the "SongLink Prizes" to two graduates every year.
The 10-year old David Stark in 1963 would surely have been totally flabbergasted to learn how his life would turn out, especially with The Beatles still being such a big influence almost 60 years yers later. If you'd like to know more please get in contact anytime.
"IT'S ALL TOO MUCH" by David Stark
Paperback £14.99 / Includes 100+ photos
ISBN: 978-1-8380708-16
Published by This Day In Music Books
More info at: www.itsalltoomuch.net
Contact David Stark:
E-mail: david@songlink.com
Mobile: 07956 270592