BOSTON – It was a day that would change young Kathei Logue’s life forever.
On September 12, 1964, at just 14 years old, Logue embarked on an adventurous journey to the old Hotel Madison in Boston, where the Beatles were set to hold a press conference ahead of their much-anticipated concert.
Armed with a fabricated press pass and a bag filled with drawings and confetti, Logue stood amid throngs of fans eager to catch a glimpse of the British pop sensation.
The atmosphere was electric as Beatlemania surged across America, and Logue was determined to be part of the action, despite her young age.
Upon her arrival, she attempted to convince security that she was there on assignment from New York, only to be told that the event wouldn’t start for several hours.
The officer suggested that she return later and speak to Sergeant Scott, creating a flicker of doubt in Logue’s mind about her audacious plan.
However, Logue’s charisma drew six other teenagers in her orbit as they decided to follow her.
With a spontaneous story about visiting George Harrison’s sister, Logue led her new companions to the Somerset Hotel in Kenmore Square, although she had never met Louise Harrison Caldwell and was ultimately unsuccessful in finding her.
Their adventure took an unexpected turn when they encountered the Los Angeles Angels, who whisked them away to Fenway Park to catch a Red Sox game.
Alas, Logue soon found herself separated from her entourage, save for one young man who shared her interest in photography.
Determined to return to the Madison Hotel, Logue squeezed her way back through the expanding crowd, again claiming, “Excuse me. Excuse me. Press.”
This time, she introduced the young man as her cousin from Avon, successfully granting them access to the press conference room, where she eagerly awaited the arrival of the Beatles.
When the moment finally arrived, the atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement as Beatles press agent Derek Taylor and the Fab Four made their entrance.
Logue managed to ask John Lennon about the release of his book, “John Lennon in His Own Write,” to which he simply replied, “It will be coming out soon.”
As the press conference drew to a close, Logue seized the opportunity to catch Derek Taylor’s attention and persuaded him to take her and her companion to the Beatles’ hotel room for autographs.
What ensued was another exhilarating chapter in her day as Logue prepared for the Beatles’ performance at the Boston Garden.
Even with a ticket in hand, she encountered a hurdle as she was initially denied access through the underground passage connecting the hotel to the concert venue.
Undeterred, she found her way in and characterized the concert experience as overwhelmingly loud, thanks to the thunderous screams of the fans.
As the unforgettable day came to a close, Logue celebrated by tossing her confetti, returning home with a heart full of memories that would last a lifetime.
Years later, the spark ignited from that day carried on into her adulthood, shaping her career in the vibrant Boston music scene.
Kathei Logue became a prominent booking agent at The Rat, a legendary venue in Kenmore Square during the late 1970s and 1980s.
Within those walls, she played a pivotal role in booking iconic acts such as The Cars and REM, along with numerous local bands that would leave a mark on the Boston music landscape.
Logue’s journey began with her audacious act of crashing a press conference for the Beatles, a testament to her fearless spirit and everlasting love for music.
Today, she is fondly remembered not just for her boldness at a young age but also for her significant contributions to the evolution of Boston’s rock culture.
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