Abbey Road on the River

So, what DO you do in the greater DC area on a gorgeous day in the middle of the Labor Day weekend? If you are smart, you got yourself out and experienced Abbey Road on the River -- a huge Beatles festival -- at the National Harbor!

Multiple stages of tribute band after tribute band. Memorabilia dealers. The chance to meet the man behind the animated cartoon, or to purchase replica outfits worn in concert. Interviews with Pete Best. Even Beatles karaoke!

It was a remarkable afternoon, on so many levels. Getting to share the Beatles' experience with my almost 13 year old, who knows a lot of the music already, but still has no concept of the cultural phenomenon that goes with it was a trip. The tribute bands, all professional enough, were a constant reminder of just how remarkable the originals were. Every now and then, there would be a performance of a portion of a song here and there that would show genuine artistic vision, and bring a new depth previously unheard. Hearing a female lead singer doing Beatles' standards was at times highly refreshing, at times challenging.

The karaoke provided the average Joe the opportunity to realize just how NOT easy it really is to make these songs sound good. Although, the performers I heard were all several steps above the level usually connected with bar performances, the difference between professional and amateur was still clear. Even my own performance, while well received, would never even remind anyone of Stu Sutcliffe!

But by far the best part of the day was listening to Pete Best, the Beatles' original drummer, talk about his own experiences, with, and without the others. It was his mother's founding of the first club promoting this genre of music that allowed ALL of the bands of that era to get started and get discovered. It was amazing to here the respect he had for the others, and the lack of rancor coming from the man who was replaced by Ringo Starr on the eve of the band's breakout.

So, next Labor Day, gather a group of friends, and make a day of it -- you won't be sorry!