Preaching The Beatles: Longtime WJJR DJ is Fab 4 superfan and preacher

Via Community News Service, in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton.

Nanci Gordon’s house is plastered with Beatles memorabilia. She has seen the band, or members individually, more than 30 times and she still can feel Ringo’s soft hand in hers from one special encounter 22 years ago.

“I thought I was a Beatles fan until I met Nanci Gordon,” said Terry Jaye, fellow former WJJR DJ and longtime friend of Gordon. “No matter what we are talking about, there is a Beatles reference.

“Sometimes, I don’t get them, and she has to explain it to me,” he added with a chuckle.

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And despite health struggles these days, Gordon is still a superfan in search of the next show or keepsake to add to her collection.

Gordon grew up in the 1960s with three teenagers and a pre-teen in the house, leading to her introduction to The Beatles at just 16 months old.

In fact, some of Gordon’s first memories in life were of The Beatles.

“There are two that stand out vividly: one from the movie ‘Help’ and one from a Beatles cartoon series,” she said.

The Beatles fanatic said she has been truly in love with the band since she was 10, and as a result, she has something related to the band in every room of the house.

“If you ever want to know anything about The Beatles, ask the woman who has an entire room in her house dedicated to them, and DJs broadcasts worldwide from her private home studio,” said Gordon’s niece, Wendy Webb.

It’s hard to miss Gordon’s unique Yellow Submarine-themed bathroom, which was initially created for her 3-year-old grandnephew, who is now 22. She said the yellow-tile-lined space is just too sentimental for her to get rid of.

“As a kid, I always dreamed of having a Beatles room … that’s now my guest room,” Gordon said with a smile.

The 9-by-11-foot guest bedroom, containing two windows, is coated with Beatles themed knick-knacks from throughout the years. There are several little action figures, a Beatles-themed rotating lamp, and tons of colorful posters, including one of Ringo Starr that she has had since 1976.

Although The Beatles broke up in 1970, Gordon found love for each band member’s solo records, with special interest in drummer Ringo Starr.

“Ringo is my guy,” Gordon said with passion in her voice.

Having seen Ringo 35 times, Gordon says that the time that stands out most has to be when she got to actually meet him.

It was 2003 and Gordon took a train from Rutland to New York City for a Ringo album signing. With mostly women attending, and her very concerned co-worker Jaye at home, Gordon stayed overnight in the street with a big group of like-minded Beatles fans.

“She’s pretty street savvy and I think she can take care of herself. She always manages to figure it out.” Jaye said, “But I hope she is safe, and I always worry about Nanci when she travels alone.”

Even though Gordon went into this experience alone, she said she recognized many of the people waiting in line from previous Beatles conventions she attended in the past.

“One of the women’s husbands brought Army blankets and folding chairs,” Gordon said. “We sat next to each other huddled up under the Army blankets, waiting for 7 a.m. so we could go inside the record store to buy the new CD.”

After entering the store and purchasing the new CD and bracelet to grant her access to Ringo for the signing, Gordon, and the others had to wait another 12 hours in the street before they could meet the famous blue-eyed Beatle.

With about 300 signings in only an hour and a half, there was not going to be time for interactions with Ringo and his fans, leading Gordon to prepare something to signal that she was there for him, not just his signature.

Gordon showed up with a button she got for $1 at a Beatles fan convention, reading Ringo’s name spelled backwards, referencing a 1978 TV special he took part in, and a note that she had written for him and gave to one of his handlers.

Immediately noticing the button, Ringo shot Gordon the sweetest smile, followed with a big thumbs up that resulted in her taking his hands and mouthing the words, “thank you” into his eyes that she could see so clearly through his blue transition lens sunglasses.

“He was everything I had hoped. He could have been a jerk or gave an aloof vibe, but he gave me a personal moment. All I would have liked was more time to be with him,” Gordon said. “I started to cry when walking down the street.”

Even though Gordon lives in Vermont, she’s often gone out of her way to experience many Beatles opportunities, including annually attending Beatles conventions in the 1990s.

She remembers there being thousands of people of all ages, and she said her last one was 10 years ago.

“I miss them,” Gordon said. “It is my room in heaven.”

But Gordon isn’t just about The Beatles. She is a jack of all trades who started teaching elementary school children right after college. When deciding to no longer pursue teaching, Gordon was drawn to two options: broadcasting and ministry — although she hoped to combine both.

These days, after 40 years as a DJ with WJJR, she’s living that dream.

Gordon is currently preaching at two local churches and simultaneously hosting an international radio show.

She shares how within just three weeks of being on the job, the radio show had a first sentence mentioned in the Telegraph, a United Kingdom-based newspaper.

“It is wonderful to know that in over 130 countries, people can hear me giving information about The Beatles,” Gordon said.

However, when asked about her proudest accomplishment in life, Gordon immediately mentioned her association with community fundraising efforts like Stuff a Bus, Gift of Life Marathon, and saving people’s lives though blood donations.

“Being associated with those, there is nothing like it,” Gordon added.

“Nanci is a shining example of a community-oriented soul. She sincerely invests her time and energy in enriching every moment spent with others,” Webb said.

Although Gordon has had many experiences and opportunities pursuing her passions, unfortunate life challenges have been thrown at her.

For 33 years, Gordon’s multiple sclerosis and spinal stenosis had gone basically undetected to the world, until the last few years when it has affected her ability to walk.

She can no longer lug around radio equipment, has some slight speech challenges, and traveling is much more difficult.

Although Gordon’s medical condition makes it more complicated to go places, that does not stop her from supporting her idol.

“As much as she struggled with her health situation, she remains a hopeful person. When I think of her, I think how she still always has this hopefulness about her,” Jaye said.

Gordon said finding the “A-Linker,” a walking bike with no pedals, has helped make traveling a lot easier and provides a place to sit if needed.

It also will help her on her next Ringo adventure.

“I will never regret my efforts for him,” Gordon said, as she eagerly shared her future plans to see Ringo this June at Radio City Music Hall in New York. “As long as he is touring, I will make it my priority to see him. He’s my guy, and if he can put on a two-hour show while doing jumping jacks at 85 years old, then I will bring my A-Linker to NYC.”

Via Community News Service, in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton.