50th Anniversary of Beatlemania Celebrated in Louisville

Abbey Road on the River Returns to Louisville

The world’s largest Beatles-inspired music festival, Abbey Road on the River, returns to Louisville’s waterfront May 22-26.  The 2014 AROTR is made extra-special as it marks the golden anniversary of Beatlemania – the world-wide fan frenzy surrounding the Fab Four.  Although music promoter Andi Lothian may have coined the term a year earlier, Beatlemania was budding as the Lads from Liverpool arrived in the United States in February 1964 and really exploded after their performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.  The five day celebration here in Louisville aims to capture some of the Beatles craze.

The five day celebration – covering the Belvedere Festival Park, Galt House Hotel and Muhammad Ali Center – features many events to help longtime fans relive the group’s glory days as well as bringing new fans into the mix.  Abbey Road on the River is, first and foremost, a music festival so you know that there is no shortage of music.  The event draws bands from around the world for over 200 live performances on eight stages (including one by Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Beach Boys) as well as many other activities including the Give Peace a Chance photography exhibit at the Muhammad Ali Center, screenings of the Good Ol Freda documentary, special presentations and plenty of vendors offering vintage music memorabilia, art, fair food and more.

Win Tickets

One day Thursday/Sunday general admission tickets are available for $20 each and ticket packages that include multi-day admission and additional events range up to the $230 Platinum Ultimate Ticket to Ride.

If you are a fan of the Beatles and other bands from that era, the 1960’s scene or live music in general, then Abbey Road on the River is the place to be in Louisville over Memorial Day weekend.  Fans can win a pair of General Admission tickets – a $60 value by using the form here to connect with us on Facebook or Twitter, or by signing up for the Louisville Dispatch Newsletter between now and May 20th.