BAYVILLE – The Vinyl Dinosaur can take you back in time with its books, DVDs, records and other memorabilia but most recently the store hosted a special Beatles-themed event featuring internationally known artist Shannon.
Shannon (MacDonald) is well known for her photorealistic style and she spent 15 years as the resident artist for Liverpool’s foremost Beatles hotel in the world. The event here in Ocean County wasn’t just part of a book signing but a return to her hometown from Liverpool, England.
The artist recently launched her new Beatles book, “Hard Day’s Night Hotel (The Inside Story),”
with Cavern Club owner Bill Heckle. The limited-edition, 224-page coffee table book was available for purchase during her appearance.
The book features over 110 paintings of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr that define the Beatles/Liverpool landmark.
“Coming home to Bayville is the perfect place to share the ‘Inside Story’ of both the hotel and my own life’s work,” Shannon remarked. “This event isn’t just about a book; it’s a celebration of the music and art that connects us all, from the Jersey Shore to the Cavern Club.”
She added, “why am I having this engagement at a record store? That’s where it all started for me… on a shiny piece of black vinyl spinning on an old hi-fi at my Aunt June’s house in Ocean Gate. It’s perfect!”
“We’re going to New York next and then back to England. Based on this before we see where we go to the next place. I’m going to the Cutting Room next in New York City. I’m going to take some time off after this one,” she told The Berkeley Times.
She noted that her hometown of Bayville may have changed a bit but she was enjoying the homecoming event and seeing many familiar faces like Senator Carmen Amato who came to present her a special proclamation on behalf of the 9th Legislative District.
A long line of attendees came out to purchase her rather large coffee table book, to get their photo taken with her and to show her a few mementos that had a link to the artist.
Deborah Durborow of Berkeley was awaiting her turn to meet up with Shannon. She told The Berkeley Times, “I met her when she was really little. I hung out with her cousin when we were young. I connected back with her on Facebook a couple of years back. I loved her artwork and went to Asbury Park at The Big Guitar and the Stone Pony.”
“We knew her as a great airbrush artist and we stayed friends with her for many years,” Manahawkin resident Steve Stacy said.
He was joined by fellow Stafford Township resident Betty Lally who said, “we try to get together when we can.”
“She has been over in England for a while but we both stay in touch with her and we were happy to hear about this today,” Stacy said.
Lally added, “she is phenomenal. Just watching her spray paint something, you couldn’t imagine what it might be.”
“She does a whole range of graphic art,” Stacy added.
“I knew her from a long time back and she gave me this,” John Conner of Toms River said while holding a John Lennon painting, “I immigrated from England about 37 years ago. I met her here though while I was working a second job when I saw a man’s jacket and I asked where he got it from as it had artwork on it and he said his friend Shannon had designed it.”
“He later gave me this and he said it was from Shannon. I only framed it recently. It’s John Lennon from the White album,” Conner added. He joined his wife Debbie on line and the two were able to get the framed portrait signed.
Beachwood resident Allan Tillander dressed for the occasion wearing a very special T-shirt that he first got around 18 years ago. “I met her at the time and she was very nice and she had a lot of artwork and shirts. I want to see her forthcoming documentary. I saw her perform a number of years ago (with Jet) in Bayville. It was a reunion. When I first met her, I didn’t know she was from this area.
Vinyl Dinosaur owner Steven Baeli said he was thrilled to have Shannon come to the store. The Vinyl Dinosaur moved to its current location at 655 Atlantic City Boulevard which is twice the size of its original spot, back in 2021.
“This is awesome. It has been five or six years since I’ve last seen her. While she was off doing her thing all over the world I’ve been here in Bayville. It is good to see her and this is fun,” he said.
The store has many Beatles items ranging from photos and posters of the band to a hanging cardboard cutout of the yellow submarine from one of their iconic songs.
She also provided some details about her upcoming film “Shannon Goddess of Rock Art” produced by Liverpool West Productions. The film chronicles her extraordinary journey from Bayville to the heart of Beatlemania in Liverpool, showcasing her life as an artist, musician, and cultural icon.
For more information about Shannon and her work visit ArtistShannon.com/news.
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