Robert Matonis

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(Redirected from Beatle Bob)

Beatle Bob (born Robert Matonis according to the Riverfront Times) is notable in the St. Louis music scene. He has been seen doing his bopping-around dancing at concerts ranging from Ani DiFranco to Less Than Jake to Chuck Berry. He can commonly be found in the Delmar Loop area of University City. Beatle Bob is especially noted for his dance moves as well as his vintage suits and Beatle-esque hair cut.

He has allegedly been to at least one live show every night since Christmas Eve 1996 and has seen over 10,000 bands over the last decade.

Beatle Bob is a controversial figure. Some people find his appearance or "schtick" to be somewhat annoying. His constant presence and dancing is welcomed by some concertgoers and an aggravation to others, but even his detractors admit that his presence signals that one is seeing the best music event in town on that particular night.

According to a 2000 article in the Riverfront Times, Beatle Bob's real name is Robert Matonis. The article reports that he has been banned from some local record stores due to allegations of shoplifting, and that he has used falsified credentials to gain press access to music events.

He has contributed to the now-defunct music publication Jet Lag and wrote a monthly "Top Ten" of local concerts for Sauce Magazine. He also used to produce an annual Phil Spector Christmas Special for local community radio station, KDHX. It should be noted that he never actually was a radio DJ, despite claims to the contrary, nor are rumors true that he "owns" a local radio station.

Beatle Bob is also well known for his devotion to local music. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of most types of music and is often willing to offer suggestions for good bands to go see. While he does often go see national acts when they come to town, he is a strong advocate of the local music scene.

Beatle Bob has also been spotted at SXSW, Lollapalooza, the Ponderosa Stomp, and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. He holds the distinctions of emceeing the final Guided by Voices show at Metro in Chicago, December 31, 2004, and introducing Sleater-Kinney at their last touring show during Lollapalooza in 2006. He introduced Camper van Beethoven and The Flaming Lips at Wakarusa Camping & Music Festival in Lawrence, Kansas in June 2006. He also emceed the "Last Call at the Nights" on January 19th, 2007, the final show held at Mississippi Nights on Laclede's Landing in St. Louis.

He is the subject of an upcoming documentary entitled "Superfan: The Lies, Life and Legend of Beatle Bob."