Maybe you’re amazed that there’s still more to learn about the Beatles in 2022. Maybe you’re afraid of missing out on all the previously unseen Beatles footage out there. Or maybe you just need to head to The Regent Theatre to witness a belated 80th birthday bash for Sir Paul McCartney, curated by local Beatles experts Cha-Chi Loprete and Erik Taros.
Loprete and Taros roll up to the Arlington theater this Thursday (June 23) with heaps of privately-owned footage of the capital-I Iconic band for “Maybe I’m Amazed: A Paul McCartney 80th Birthday Party.” The evening will feature footage spanning 1963 to 2019, from lost television appearances, to rare home videos, and clips of Macca performing in Boston.
“These films have always been privately owned,” explains Lorpete, host of the “Breakfast With The Beatles” show on WUMB and Seacoast Oldies. “They have been tucked away in their attics and rediscovered years later and put up for sale. We have acquired these films through the years through various auctions from around the world as well as contacts made through our network of Beatles’ collectors. Apple Records do not own these films. In fact, Apple Records prefers not to buy films, but would rather license their use.”
Many of the clips guests will see Thursday night were filmed by fans who snuck 8mm cameras into venues, capturing many performances that the Beatles themselves never bothered to record themselves. Lorpete and Taros even have clips from the final Beatles concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, circa 1966.
But that’s not the crown jewel of the pair’s collection. “Our favorites include a segment from a pristine copy of the Shea Stadium concert that we own,” Loprete tells Vanyaland. “It’s never been seen in this condition.
He could even say…”It’s truly amazing.” Scratch that “maybe” from the event title.
MAYBE I’M AMAZED: A PAUL MCCARTNEY 80TH BIRTHDAY PARTY:: Thursday, June 23, at the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St. in Arlington, MA:: All ages, 8 p.m., $25 – $45:: advance tickets