The Beatles’ appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964, was a magical day for so many young people at the time. It spurred many to seek music lessons and for some a career in music. Some of those inspired in 1964 will appear at Grover’s Mill Coffee House in West Windsor for its annual Beatles Fest on Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Jack Timmerman has been playing guitar and keyboard since the day he saw the Beatles 50 years ago. “They were truly the inspiration to do so,” he says. He lives near the Jersey Shore.
Chris Apple is married to Timmerman’s niece, Jessie. “We share a love of the Beatles and have bonded at family gatherings entertaining everyone with our renditions of favorite Beatles tunes,” says Apple.
“Jack has been participating in the annual Beatles Fest at Grover’s Mill for years and asked us to join him last year and again this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Beatles on Ed Sullivan,” says Apple. “It’s a great opportunity to gather with friends and play a handful of songs that everyone loves.”
Band members include Timmerman on guitar and keyboards, Apple on bass and vocals; Liam Moroney on guitar and vocals, Andy Letke on drums, keyboards, and vocals. Known as the Little Rockers Band, they teach classes and perform at parties, concerts, and assemblies for pre-K to second grade in and around New York and New Jersey, in addition to teaching rock music lessons to teens.
“We’ve been in various bands and traveled all over the U.S. and abroad together over the years,” says Apple. “We all have a love of the Beatles and have performed in many Beatles-related projects together.”
“Since we just celebrated the 50th year of the Beatles playing on Ed Sullivan the tribute this year is even more special,” says Jim Matlock, one of the musicians performing. “I first saw them at my cousin’s home that night — of course in black and white — and loved their music ever since. It seems to define our generation.”
Matlack, 58, began playing guitar at age 9 and later learned the harmonica. Born and raised in Ewing, he studied music at Trenton State College. “Like many my age, I like a lot of styles of music but especially music with great harmonies,” he says. “I gravitated to groups like the Beatles, the Byrds, Simon and Garfunkle, Peter and Gordon, Chad and Jeremy, as well as singer/songwriters like James Taylor and Glenn Campbell as the style of playing and singing I enjoyed doing the most.”
Married for 36 years, he has two grown daughters. “My three-year-old granddaughter loves the Beatles, especially Ringo,” he says. If Matlock’s granddaughter attends the concert he will play “Octopuses’ Garden” by Ringo from the “Abbey Road” record.
“The songs I chose for the evening are some of my favorite acoustic tunes of the Beatles that I perform with my band, Roundabout,” he says. “All nice tunes to sing and play.”
The show will open with “Yesterday,” performed by Franc Gambatese, co-owner of the coffee shop. He will also sit in on several songs during the evening.
The Ed Sullivan Set includes “Twist & Shout,” “All My Loving,” “Till There Was You,” “She Loves You,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Misery,” “Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Tell me Why.”
The Later Years set includes “Norwegian Wood,” “I’m Looking Through You,” “Lady Madonna,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” “Ballad of John & Yoko,” “Taxman,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Golden Slumbers.”
There will be other guests performing during the evening. John Mazzeo, a guitarist and fellow Beatle-maniac will join them. The show will possibly close with “Get Back” or “Hey Jude.” Says Apple: “It should be a great night of music.”
Beatles Fest, Grover’s Mill Coffee House, 335 Princeton Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Saturday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. 609-716-8771. www.groversmillcoffee.com.
