Daytrippin’

By Helen Marketti

     Combining a love of rock and roll, travel and The Beatles have been just the right ingredients for Trina Yannicos.

     “I grew up on the East Coast, in Maryland, right outside of Washington D.C.  I attended college in Baltimore and studied graphic design,” said Trina.  “I also took piano and guitar lessons when I was younger.”

     “I became a Beatles fan as a teenager.  My best friend and I used to listen to the “red” album which was The Beatles greatest hits from 1962 - 1966.  I really liked their music.  But when I saw them in their movies I fell in love with their charm and wit,” explains Trina.  The first Beatle movie Trina saw was Help!

     Her love for the Fab Four eventually evolved to becoming the editor of Daytrippin’, which is a Beatles magazine for fans that was in print publication from 1997 - 2004.  Trina still maintains the Daytrippin’ web site where readers can access archive issues, keep updated with current Beatle news and stay informed about rock and roll travels.

     “I had always wanted to start my own magazine,” said Trina.  “They say you need to know your topic really well if you want to run a magazine, so since I have such a vast knowledge about The Beatles, I decided to publish one about them.  Also, it was around the same time that Charles Rosenay’s Good Day Sunshine publication had stopped and I wanted to continue in a similar style of combining Beatles news with the perspective of the fans.  I knew I wanted to name the magazine after one of their songs and decided on Daytrippin’.”

     Trina lived in New York City for five years where she conducted Beatles and Bob Dylan walking tours of the rock highlights.  “Before I moved to New York, it took me about 4 or 5 visits to see all of the famous Beatle sites in Manhattan,” said Trina.  “I thought there had to be a quicker way to see all the sites in one day on foot, so I designed a Beatles walking tour that went from midtown up to Central Park and the Dakota.  (The Dakota is where John Lennon had lived.)  I spent my free time visiting locations linked with music history.  This was a fun hobby for me.”

     One of Trina’s most memorable experiences as the editor for Daytrippin’ was to be part of the press on the red carpet in 2006 for the premiere of The Beatles show, LOVE, Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas.  “It was a wonderful experience to be there to represent Daytrippin’ and seeing Paul, Ringo, Yoko and Olivia (George Harrison’s widow).  I was able to briefly ask Ringo how he liked the show and he said he thought it was great how they did the mixing of the sounds.  Being there left a big impression on me.”

     Trina is currently keeping busy with writing and travel.  “I still publish an online version of Daytrippin’ on the web.  I have also started writing a rock and roll/celebrity travel column on Examiner.com.  I also have created a comprehensive Beatles History site, which will be an ongoing project.  This site will be especially helpful to the younger generation who seem to favor the internet instead of books in order to learn the history of The Beatles.”

     Trina has left New York in favor of warmer temperatures and the continuous music culture of Los Angeles.  “Being out here, of course there is a lot of history and sites pertaining to The Doors,” said Trina. “I was able to recently tour a home in Palm Springs that Elvis Presley once lived in. It’s neat to walk along the Hollywood Rock of Fame and watch the fans.  There is so much going on out here.”

     When asked what rock and roll landmark has left an impression on her the most, Trina said, “Graceland.  I am also a big Elvis Presley fan and I think the overall concept of Graceland really offers a lot to the fans.  It’s a place where fans can come to meet with other fans and celebrate Elvis’ legacy.  It was the most important location in Elvis’ life and offers insight to him as a person.  It reminds the world of how much he accomplished with all his awards and memorabilia on display.”

     Trina continues, “For every legendary musician or performer, I think there should be a place like this for their fans.  I would love to one day open a Beatles museum here in the States for all of us who can’t travel to Liverpool every year.  We’d have a permanent place to celebrate The Beatles’ legacy!”

For more information about Trina’s rock and roll travels and current events, please visit:  www.daytrippin.com

www.beatles-history.net

www.examiner.com/x4732-celebrity-travel-examiner