Drumming up Beatles memories
By Steve Waldon
June 23, 2005
Photo: Ringo Starr's drumsticks, a memento for Johnny Chester of the Beatles' 1964 Brisbane concert, are for sale.
Just as his own musical career was blooming, Johnny Chester got the chance of a lifetime. The young rocker was invited to be a support act on the 1964 Australian tour by the Beatles, along with Sounds Incorporated.
Apart from the experience and memories, Chester ended up with a souvenir that he carefully tucked away for the next four decades. He has the drumsticks used by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr during the band's last Australian performance - at Brisbane's Festival Hall on June 30, 1964.
Given the burgeoning international market in entertainment memorabilia, it seems Chester has been sitting on more than just a souvenir. His keepsake has obviously acquired a monetary value, but Chester's motivation for testing the market demand is charming rather than cynical: his grandsons are growing up and the fishing "tinny" needs to be upgraded to accommodate them. "I thought 'what have I got that someone else would want?' " he said yesterday.
He recalled scratching around backstage after the Brisbane gig, looking for a small memento of the experience of supporting the stars, when Beatles road manager Mal Evans offered him the drumsticks.
It was Ringo's habit to leave them on the drum kit and make a quick getaway after their last song.
Chester's memento is now on the internet auction site eBay, where late yesterday it had attracted a bid of almost $1300 - short of the reserve but, with bidding closing this Saturday, the action could heat up over the next couple of days. He still has his backstage pass and his wife's concert ticket from 1964.
Chester, 63, whose solo career between 1971 and 1974 produced hits including Gwen Congratulations, The World's Greatest Mum and She's My Kind of Woman, has just recorded a new version of the 1960s hit Get a Little Dirt On Your Hands with Mornington Peninsula group the Distance. Ringo does not guest star.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/drumming-up-beatles-memories/2005/06/22/1119321789...
