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Elly Roberts reviews
The Space Within US: 
MONDAY 20 NOVEMBER
Part planned, part co-incidence, Monday 20th – Friday 24th November was amomentous week as a music fan and journalist.
First came the much anticipated release of the new Beatles albumLOVE on Monday20th November.
This stunning re-worked album, tailored for the Cirque de Soliels productionat the Mirage in Las Vegas has been masterfully produced by legendary Beatlesproducer George Martin and son Giles. It had arrived a week before its releaseso I could review it on the train en route to London.
In preparation for my anticipated meeting with Paul McCartney at the VirginMega Store in London, I needed to grab his attention for my BeatlesCommemorative Plaque Project Wales. Knowing in advance there was little timeto promote my project, I had the plaque image printed on a T-shirt. I tookall day to sort out but was finished by 6.30pm Monday. Just the job – itlooked brilliant.
TUESDAY 21 NOVEMBER
Down to London a 2hr 10min journey. On arrival I headed to the Virgin MegaStore in Piccadilly Circus, to find a small crowd of about 13 people alreadyassembled. They had slept overnight on the pavement. Having brieflyinterviewed the gathering I befriended fans from the USA, Holland, Spain,Japan and England.
I was still waiting for my Press accreditation from Virgin HQ to meet Macca it wasnt looking good. Later I was told my application had failed, eventhough I was representing BBC Radio Wales for a live link-up later that day.The plan was that the fans would phone me at 6am to let me know the queuesituation, so I could get in line early Wednesday before the store opened at9am.
Having hung around the store for nearly 6 hours, suddenly at 9.30pm there wasword that entrance tickets were being issued by store security, for thefollowing morning. The fans, who had suddenly become friends, knew my plight,so they allowed me to join their queue even though I wasnt sleeping outovernight.
Now there was no need for my friends to call me at the hotel.
WEDNESDAY 22 NOVEMBER
Awake at 6.30am, I went for breakfast, and then proceeded to PiccadillyCircus, arriving at 8.30 only to see the store had opened at 8am, with mychums already inside. After a bit of convincing about my queue ticket, number13 as it happens, they allowed me to join them inside.
For nearly four hours we waited patiently to meet Macca. Popping outoccasionally, I was interviewed by reporters from The Sun, The Daily Mail,The Daily Express and London Evening Standard. Later in-store, I was TVinterviewed by the Reuters news agency.
Eventually, he arrived out of our vision we knew he was there because ofthe media flurry flashbulbs going ballistic. At around 1.15pm, I was quicklygiven security checks and was confronted by McCartney sitting at a table. Iproduced my CD and DVD for signing. My moment had arrived. Knowing time wouldbe brief, I told him that The Beatles had performed at Prestatyn 44 years tothe day on Friday 24 November, and I was unveiling a plaque to commemorate it.
Paul said, “It doesnt seem that long ago since we played there”,looking at my T-shirt with approval. Then I asked him to sign the DVD toPrestatyn. He said, “How do you spell Prestatyn?.. I dont know how tospell it.”
He did it anyway and he was correct. Soon back out on the street, wewandered waiting for his later exit.
About 2.50pm McCartney emerged through the side entrance of the store. Timefor some quick pictures, and he was gone. Mission accomplished!
At 3.40pm I did my link live to BBC Radio Wales, where I was interviewed by abig supporter of my project, Alan Thomson on the Afternoon Show.
THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER
The Beatles booking agent Joe Flannery and I were interviewed by Alan Thompsonat BBC Radio Wales a live link from Cardiff to the Wrexham studio. This wasa preview of the Prestatyn plaque unveiling the next day.
FRIDAY 24 NOVEMBERWith all arrangement made, it was the day for the Prestatyn plaque to beunveiled.
44 years to the day, The Beatles performed on a tiny stage at the former RoyalLido Ballroom, now the Nova Centre right next to the seafront.
In front of 200 fans, the Fab Four played 2 forty-five minute spots for just£30. They were the first act from Liverpool to play there. Beatlesbooking agent Joe Flannery returned to the venue for the celebration, alsoattended by Sharon Frobisher town mayor, Nigel Acott town clerk, Ray OBrien,Harry Thomas (both Beatles historians), Tony Booth (plaque designer),three fans who attended the historic show, The Cavern a Beatles tributeact from north Wales who did an hours set similar to the original Beatlessetlist, and around 50 guests.
Joe Flannery reminisced about the night, giving a 5 minute speech to mark theoccasion. Local press were in attendance to record the event.
Finally, Id like to personally thank all the people I met during this Fabweek: for their friendship, co-operation and continuing support for theBeatles Plaque Project Wales.
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.