It’s official: Benton is now listed on the tour information portion of Pete Best's Web site.

Benton George Harrison Beatle Festival committee members met on July 16 to continue plans for the Oct. 4 performance in the east gymnasium of Benton Consolidated High School.

Jim Kirkpatrick said the date is of historic proportion.

“Pete Best was a drummer with The Silver Beatles from 1960 until 1962, and performed with the group during the Hamburg, Germany tour,” he said. “For reasons never given to Pete, he was dismissed from the group but is still performing with the Pete Best Band: Best of the Beatles. He is bringing nostalgia to Benton and will be the second Beatle to ever visit here.”

George Harrison also visited Benton in September 1963, just five months before appearing on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

“The Beatles really got their start in Southern Illinois when the first recording was played on WFRX radio in West Frankfort. Marsha Raubach spun the platter then and is expected to be a part of this year’s festival,” Kirkpatrick said. “She and Bruce Fasol, another WFRX radio personality, will emcee this year’s activities.”

Committee members welcomed a new addition, Cheryl Collins, a sister of Raubach, who will serve as an advertising and promotion representative for the Oct. 4 extravaganza.

“George Harrison performed with The Four Vests at the Boneyard Boccie Ball Club in Benton and at the Eldorado VFW Hall during his visit,” Kirkpatrick said. “Gabe McCarty, a member of the Four Vests, is also expected to attend the Benton George Harrison Beatle Festival.”

Warren Batts, an original member of Bill Haley’s Comets, is organizing additional music for the day’s event.

“I have had a number of telephone calls from groups who want to perform throughout the day,” he said. “If you are a member of a group or an individual performer who plays 1960s music, I would like to hear from you. There are still a few open time slots to fill.

“The day starts at 1 p.m. with tours of Hard Day’s Nite Bed & Breakfast located at 113 McCann Street, right across the street from the high school. Musical groups will perform throughout the day.”

Batts may be reached by calling (812) 204-4006.

Kirkpatrick said a plaque would be presented to Bob Bartel during the evening’s festivities.

“If it weren’t for Bob, the Hard Day’s Nite B&B would not be standing,” he said. “That is the former home of Louise Harrison, George’s sister. The house was slated for demolition until Bob and others stepped forward to save it from the wrecking ball.”

Sarah Morrison, owner of the B&B, is working with Mayor Gary Kraft to place zebra stripes across McCann Street during Pete Best’s visit to replicate the Abby Road album cover, with members of the group walking from the B&B to the performance stage.
Tom Herman said he has put together a group of performers for the event.

“Some of the members of the group have been performing together for 12 years,” he said. “In honor of the Benton George Harrison Beatle Festival, we have renamed the group ‘Afterbeat’ for our 7 p.m. performance. The Pete Best Band: Best of the Beatles will take the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.”

Darren Galloway, a member of Afterbeat, said tickets should be printed soon. He is also working on a Web site.

Kirkpatrick said vendors from as far away as Toronto, Canada are returning for a second festival.

“One of the Beatles vendors from Toronto, Canada, said he is looking forward to a second trip to Benton,” he said. “We also anticipate having Peter Conrad, who performs a tribute to George Harrison, to make a second trip to Benton. People from all over the United States have been calling for ticket information. It is so phenomenal to be able to bring a second member of the Beatles to Benton. This will leave folks talking about their experience for months to come and will have them looking forward to next year’s event.”

Best’s “The Lost Beatle Album: Haymans Green,” is slated for release on Sept. 16. Committee members anticipate hearing a few of the selections during the Oct. 4 live performance.

For more information, call Kirkpatrick at (618) 889-2719.