Stefanie Hempel is not just a musician, but also an expert and passionate ambassador of the Beatles. Together with „Feel Hamburg“ host Daniel Kaiser, she strolled through the Reeperbahn and shared stories about the early years of these music legends in Hamburg.
Her enthusiasm for the Fab Four is infectious and deeply rooted: „I’ve been a fan since I was nine years old. And when people stand in front of me with shining eyes during my tours, it’s always nice to tell these stories because I’m a huge fan myself. So it becomes deeper and more intense over the years.“
The Beatles expert also advocates for the memories of the band in Hamburg. „There has been a Beatles Platz since 2008,“ she says. However, the maintenance and upkeep of this place are inadequate. „The lights under the figures haven’t been working for ten, twelve years, and the idea behind it is not recognized by the fans or tourists at all.“ Stefanie Hempel finds the lack of interest from the politicians particularly frustrating. „The district office does not feel responsible, and now this place is decaying. If you have such things, you should take care of them.“
The time the Beatles spent in Hamburg is especially close to her heart. „In Hamburg, this amazing story happened. They were very young here, just starting out, and they became so good here.“ Her stories are filled with personal anecdotes because she had the opportunity to meet many people connected to the Beatles. „I’ve met Pete Best, the drummer from the Hamburg era, a few times, John Lennon’s sister, and even Yoko Ono.“ She hasn’t completely given up on her childhood dream of meeting Paul McCartney or any of the other Beatles personally, but „I don’t necessarily have to meet them because they are in my soul and heart, and have influenced my life so much that I carry them with me anyway.“ This deep connection to the music of the Beatles and their history makes Stefanie Hempel’s performances and stories so special.
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