ARGENTINA: BUENOS AIRES HOLDS ITS OWN BEATLES FESTIVAL FOR FANS OF THE LEGENDARY LIVERPOOL GROUP

Record ID: 392068

  • Title: ARGENTINA: BUENOS AIRES HOLDS ITS OWN BEATLES FESTIVAL FOR FANS OF THE LEGENDARY LIVERPOOL GROUP
  • Date: 9th October 2001
  • Summary: SLV THE GREETS SINGING NOWHERE MAN (3.52)
  • Embargoed: 24th October 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Entertainment,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9LTWRNNU0NQJJ3L2LEJTVKIYK
  • Story Text: Rodolfo Vazquez, owner of the world's largest Beatles collection is hosting the first Beatles Week festival in Buenos Aires that is bringing in more than 50 tribute bands from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.
    It's been a long and winding road to the Guinness Book of World Records: 34 years after Rodolfo Vazquez received his first Fab Four album he realized his dream of having the world's largest Beatles collection.
    Vazquez began his collection -- now counting 5,612 albums, autographs, photos, tickets, books, posters, toys and comic strips -- at age 10 when he received "Rubber Soul" as a gift. He turned into a collector after John Lennon was shot in 1980.
    "I did this with the idea of bringing all of these objects together because I love the Beatles," said Rodolfo Vazquez.
    "Since 1997 I had the idea that people could see these things and enjoy them, you know? Now I have the opportunity to show my objects and this recognition, that not everyone has this, fills me with satisfaction."
    The 44-year-old owner of "The Cavern Club" in Buenos Aires is about to turn another dream into reality: hosting the first Beatles Week festival outside of Liverpool, England.
    More than 50 tribute bands from Latin America were scheduled to play at his club and other nearby venues in Buenos Aires' theatre district started Monday (October 8) to audition for Beatle Week 2002. Two finalists will go to the August festival in Liverpool, the band's birthplace.
    "To go to Liverpool would be to touch heaven with our own hands," said Lucas Novoa, member of the band "The Rockers".
    "To be in the cradle of the world's music center, to be where everything began."
    Adding to the excitement was the presence of John Lennon's sister (Julia Baird) who attended the festival.
    "This is a fantastic experience," said Cesar Cornejo of the group "Revolver".
    "We're just happy to be here and its marvellous to be able to share with all of these other groups the Beatle's music, it unites us."
    British culture enjoys wide popularity in Argentina, where soccer clubs bear names given by British migrants and bilingual schools teach Beatles tunes from the primary level on up.
    "Every day we try to improve ourselves and to learn from all of these other bands," said 14 year old Rodrigo Castiniera from the group, "The Greets".
    "We think this festival is fabulous because we've found a place that is nothing but Beatles music, full of Beatle fans like us."
    --
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