[.ca] Harrsion, George: A Beatle In Benton Illinois

Benton is Beatle Town, USA!:
I love this video and I love the book by Jim Kirkpatrick and George's older sister, Louise (Lou) Harrison. This is such a treat! In mid-September, 1963 Beatle George Harrison and his older brother Peter visited their sister Louise and her family who, at that time were living in Benton, Illinois. Louise had local radio stations play her brother's records; she introduced him to people living in the area, including John Malkovich's family! George met a local band called the Four Vests and played guitar with them; one Vest told George that "with the right backing son, you'll go far." That was humorously ironic because in early November of 1963 the Beatles gave a special Royal Command Performance for the Queen and, on February 7, 1964 made world history by their meteoric arrival in America! I loved watching the interviews of Benton residents; one Vest said George's hair reminded him of Moe Howard of Three Stooges' fame. Local disc jockeys and neighbors described their meetings with George as did the surviving membersof the Four Vests. Interestingly, the Vests had a left-handed bass player like another band George played in. In 1994-95, plans to demolish Louise Harrison's former house at 113 McCann Street were made as the town wanted to install a parking lot. (Reminds you of Joni Mitchell's song, "Big Yellow Taxi.") Neighbors, disc jockeys and even Louise herself rallied to save "Beatle House," as the place was called. I loved watching the news footage from that time period and the tireless efforts of people to preserve the home George Harrison visited. Their efforts paid dividends. Thanks to Louise, Beatle House is now a Beatle bed and breakfast inn and museum replete with Beatle paraphrenalia and videos. This is such a treat to watch and is a fascinating part of Beatle history. I give this a hearty endorsement and a "yeah, yeah, yeah!" Be sure to read "Before He Was Fab," the book Louise co-authored about her brother's trip to Benton. You will be very glad you did.