![\"Debbie](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/thumbnail_IMG_2096-e1708318633157.jpg\")
<\/a>Debbie Gendler’s new book. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n
Debbie and I have been friends for quite awhile, (I’ll tell you the fabulous story of how we met in a minute,) so I’ve long been fascinated by her magical stories of meeting not only the Fab Four themselves, but also tons of people in their private orb! And now the world is lucky enough to be able to do the same because she\u2019s written a book about her experiences, with the very clever title, I Saw Them Standing There<\/em>.<\/p>\n To celebrate this major accomplishment, Debbie recently had a book launch and signing on the eve of what used to be known in America as \u201cBeatles Day,\u201d (which, as we lifelong fans know, was February 9th,) at the Barnes and Noble in the Grove. And, even in that *cavernous space, it was packed to the rafters. Mr. X even came willingly! And he loved the entire presentation as much as I did. *[Note: Did you historians see what I did there? The Cavern Club in Liverpool is where the legend of the Beatles began.]<\/p>\n The first part of the event was an interview of Debbie by music historian, and author himself, David Leaf. That lovely convo made the evening so much more special than I had expected.<\/p>\n And not only were her stories user-informative, but they were charming. And often hilarious! Debbie was calmly funny, which was just perfect for the occasion.<\/p>\n Author Debbie Gendler being interviewed by David Leaf. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n I thought I knew all<\/em> her Beatles stories, but I had just scratched the surface of them. I hope you all read the book because the tales are a riot. And so personal; no one else can have stories like these. [Note: I’ll be reviewing the book in the next couple of weeks, if I can calm myself down from all the extreme envy I’m feeling while reading it!]<\/p>\n I especially enjoyed Debbie’s message at the end of the interview, about how much her parents\u00a0had done for her, not just in supporting her teen-age Beatle-mania, but always<\/em>. I love a person who appreciates their ‘rents. Many people just complain about them, and never realize nor acknowledge how much the grown-ups in their lives have done for them.<\/p>\n The biggest revelation of the evening for me, (which is not in the book, but an audience member requested this story,) was that when she was still a teen, she was on…The Tonight Show<\/em> with Johnny Carson! I’ve known Debbie Gendler for ages, and had no idea about that! I had never realized that, in addition to our love of the lads, we had appearances on The Tonight Show<\/em> in common, as well! Live and learn.<\/p>\n Debbie Gendler signing her new book, I Saw Them Standing There. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n After the amusing and interesting chat, Debbie sat down and signed the books for the eager assemblage. While Mr. X and I were catching-up with her lovely and supportive husband, Paul Supnik, a woman came over to him and suggested that he tell Debbie to \u201cmove it along,\u201d because she was taking a long time with each person in line. Of course, he wasn’t going to do that because he knew that she cared about each and every person who was there to have their book signed by her. I watched her for awhile and instantly recognized that she wanted to make the experience as special for all the guests as it was for her! You go, girl!<\/p>\n Okay, so now I have to tell you how Debbie Gendler Supnik and I met. It was a long time ago and still, to this day, I get the biggest kick out of this tale. Here goes:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>