A Beatle In Benton, Illinois: 60th Anniversary Edition

Description

Celebrations of George Harrison's historic first visit to Benton IL, USA, Sept 1963 captured in rare interviews and footage. While in the USA with his brother Peter, he joined in with local band the Four Vests at a local VFW Hall, was introduced as the Elvis Presley of England, and referred to around Benton town folks as the skinny little kid from England. While he was there staying with his sister at 113 McCann Street, watching the Sullivan TV Show and experiencing a first taste of Amercian pop culture, he also gave the first interview of any of the Beatles on the local radio programs on WFRX. 'From Me To You, and later the 45 record he had with him; 'She Loves You, then became the first Beatles songs to spin on American radio.

George could not walk the streets in his own country, but in Benton he was able to buy records, or a Rickenbacker guitar, or go camping in the Garden of the Gods and meet the teenagers of a crew cut generation, who had never seen the likes (and talents) of George Harrison. Attention increased, though, after the former home of his sister Louise was about to be torn down to make way for a parking lot in 1994; with efforts pouring in from locals and Beatles fans from around the world to save the Franklin County property.

His friend Gabe McCarty drove George around to see the sites of Southern IL and learn some new guitar riffs from Kenny Welch of the Four Vests, and also exchange what musicians do; swipe guitar licks from each other. He reported back to London in early Oct. 1963, and told his fellow Beatles; there is no competition there, we're going to make it.