Beatles Tribute band British Export played spot on renditions of classic Beatle's songs on Aug. 24 at the Six Seven restaurant in the Edgewater Hotel as part of a commemoration of the group's 1964 stay there. The promotion runs through the end of August. CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE
I was in 7th grade in 1964 and I was walking through the lunchroom at Puget Sound Junior High School when I first heard "I want to hold your hand" by the Beatles. It was electrifying and would come to shape my life.
Beatlemania grew so quickly and was such a phenomena that we even discussed it in geography class with Mr. Sealy, not one for frivilous discussion.
Then the word was spread that they were coming to Seattle! This would be the third stop on their first tour of America on Aug. 21. There was no question about it. I had to go. I knew a girl I sort of liked I could ask to go but the real reason was to see the band.
I knew my dad would drive us to the show but the ticket prices were outrageous!
I could NOT believe they wanted $6 to see a band!
I managed to get the money together and Dad dropped us off at the show. It was pandemonium at the Coliseum (now the Key Arena) with people massing and surging to get in.
We climbed to our seats roughly 12 miles from the stage but distance did not really matter. We were at the show!
After a long series of opening acts they finally appeared just before 9:30 and the entire place became one continuous scream punctuated by hundreds of thousands of flashcubes (look it up) all illuminating roughly the five feet in front of each person. That high pitched scream (my voice was higher then) lasted 29 minutes. I recall hearing Paul say, "Here's a new song from our next LP called Nowhere Man," then more screaming from the crowd.
CLICK THE PHOTO ABOVE TO SEE MORE
Fast forward to 2012.
When the Beatles came they stayed at the Edgewater Hotel in room 272 and famously fished out the window. So when Noble House Hotels and Resorts asked if we would like to come down to be part of a commemoration of the Beatles visit to enjoy Beatles themed food and hear a tribute band how could I resist? This is not a one night event. It's a contest the hotel is sponsoring through Aug. 31.
We were greeted warmly by Thomas Haas Vice President of food and beverage.
I'm not a food critic but this was an extraordinary meal by any standard. Liverpool native Chef John Roberts prepared what he calls a Four Part Harmony Beatles Tribute Menu ($50 per person) which features items like Octopus Garden - Jumbo Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake crab lemongrass sauce, tomato jam (delicately blended flavors with the tomato jam a sweet accent), Piggies BLT Salad, sugary-herb roasted bacon, poblano ranch, sherry bacon dressing (bacon perfectly crisp and not overcooked chewily contrasting the light crunch of the lettuce, and I Am The Walrus - Harris Ranch Filet Mignon oregonzola crusted, forager mushroom ragout, asparagus, potato crisp, natural jus (Among the top ten best steaks I've ever had). It was all brilliantly prepared, and expertly served. If you want to combine a Beatle's memory with fabulous food at a very reasonable price I recommend it.
To top the evening off Beatles Tribute band British Export rocked the room with highly accurate renditions of classic Beatle's songs as people danced and celebrated the memory of the band that changed the world.
The contest the Edgewater is promoting is seeking people's best Beatles memory. The grand prize is a night in the "Beatles Suite" and dinner at the Six Seven restaurant. To enter please contact Sarah Kiepe, the Director of Sales and Marketing at 206-728-7000 or via email skiepe@edgewaterhotel.com .
ln an additional touch of class with glass, Glassybaby provided hand blown drink glasses for sale with all proceeds going to The Pediatric Brain Tumors Research Fund- a Seattle Children's Hospital guild dedicated to funding research for curing kids with brain tumors.