Bob Gannon has sent us this report on Abbey Road on the River Day 3. There are also pictures from Bob, including several of special guest Pete Best, in the slideshow at the bottom. :

Day #3 found the festival much better attended today with events going on from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. The weather was absolutely gorgeous which just added to all the great music being played. The one difference between this event and the mirror event that is held in Louisville is that in Louisville the stages are much closer together and it is a bit easier changing from stage to stage to see more bands. As I mentioned before, the grounds of the Gaylord National Hotel are just immense and although the grounds are perfect for an outdoor festival, it can be quite a walk between stages. Being that the bands play 50 minute sets, you don't have a lot of time to grab food, drink, bathroom or anything else if you are deciding to change stages. However, once again Abbey Road on The River creator (Gary Jacobs) does an amazing job or organizing a top notch Beatles festival. Sunday will probably play a big role into whether or not AROTR will return to Washington D.C. area but for right now things look pretty favorable from the outside looking in.
Probably the biggest event today for fans was the Q & A/meet and greet of former Beatle Pete Best. The setting was on the beautiful pier stage over looking the water. Interview portion was held by the Fab Fourum.

Some interesting things were said during the 45 minute interview. A lot of discussion about the Decca Audition Tapes. He was asked about the timing of the audition, how long it the audition took, what went into choosing the songs played and ultimately whether the Beatles themselves thought that they had done well that day. Best stated that the day of the audition, they drove down from Liverpool which usually takes three hours and due to traffic it took them six hours so they wound up late and tired to their Decca audition. He stated that the audition took about two hours and change and that most songs were performed and recorded in one take. Best said that in choosing what songs were played that the Beatles wanted to show all sides, the rockers, folk songs, ballads and some originals. He went on to say that he thought that this actually sunk them because much like when Brian Epstein and originally heard them and become enamored with them that Decca had also seen this band play live and was expecting this explosive beat combo.

Best states that they thought that all though they did their best, they knew that the audition had not gone well. He stated that their harmonies were off and some mistakes were made. They played some choice cuts from the Decca Audition tapes while he was explaining. Pete Best was very relaxed and a really good interview. I wish I had taped it.

Pete was asked about Stuart Sutcliffe, who he stated was an enormously talented man. He said that anyone who had seen his artwork recognized that immediately as they did so many years ago. When asked about the man himself, Pete stated that he was the shortest Beatle but had the biggest heart and that he wished everything that he was sitting on this stage with him. Best also debunked the tale that Stuart was a very bad bass player. He said that Stuart was a very "simple and basic" bass player which in those days was what you needed and that he thought that he was actually a very good bass player.

Also asked about the "Love Me Do" session where he was ultimately fired and the role of George Martin played in the fact. Best stated that he had a very big drum sound and that they were not capturing it on the recording so Martin decided to change directions and to use a session drummer. Best and the forum of interviewers all agreed that this was a common practice in the 60s that the main drummers were pushed aside in lieu of a session drummer. He further added that it was not Martin's decision to fire him and that the others used the excuse of Martin not using him on the recording to dismiss him. He says that he was never given an explanation but that he would love to sit down with Paul either publicly or privately and just talk about the old times, the fun they had, and their families.

When asked who his favorite Beatle was, Best answered "John". When asked why, he stated that his sense of humour and he looked like a rocker. He was also asked about whether he had kept in touch with any of the Beatles and he stated "No". He explained that after his dismissal that he had joined another band and that they had opened for the Beatles on various occasions. He said that they would be leaving the stage as the Beatles were entering the stage and not only was there no eye contact, none of them asked how he was doing or said hello. He stated from there that they all just went their separate ways.

He did comment how great his fans were back then and even derived some enjoyment of George getting a black eye at the Cavern after he was fired. He also talked about his family house which was the Casbah Club and that it is now a government protected historical site much like the childhood homes of Paul & John. He states that the Club is as it was when they closed it in 1962.

The artwork done by John and Paul were still on the walls. He asked how many people had been there and invited everyone who hadn't been there to come to see it and everyone that had been there to come back again. Pete then moved to a back table where he did a meet-and-greet with all of the fans. I believe that there was a $10 fee for autographs. Pete did spend quite a bit of time with each person, especially those who engaged in conversation with him. He posed for pictures as well and shook hands with everyone he met. He was very fan friendly here and the crowd left very happy.

Other highlights for me were Grr Gringo an acoustic duo who played obscured George and Ringo songs. Two more blistering sets by the Blue Meanies. Toward the end of the night, Hal Bruce and band played a Beatle melody of every one of their recorded songs in a row! The crowd was large and very enthusiastic at this performance. This performance was sponsored by Gretsch Guitars, who had a booth there. In fact, I had the extreme pleasure in meeting Fred and Dinah Gretsch themselves. I had eaten lunch next to them on Friday and spoke to them and had the pleasure on again talking to them today. They are extremely nice people who have a real passion for music and it was my pleasure to get to meet them.

Well onto day #4....