Beatle Bob

Who is Beatle Bob?

Beatle Bob is a well-known figure in the St. Louis, Missouri music scene. He has been seen doing his characteristic dancing at a wide range of concerts including Ani DiFranco, Less Than Jake and Chuck Berry, both in the crowd and onstage with the performers. He is known for his arrhythmic dance moves and Beatles-inspired "mop top" hairstyle and 1960s attire. 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. He has allegedly been to at least one live show every night since Christmas Eve 1996, and seen over 10,000 bands over the last decade.

According to a 2000 article in the Riverfront Times, Beatle Bob's real name is Robert Matonis. He is a vegetarian and states that he does not smoke or drink.

Contrary to popular belief, the nickname "Beatle Bob" did not originate from his Beatles style hair cut. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Typical to many children in St. Louis, Bob went to Catholic schools throughout his childhood. One day during class, he was reading a Beatles magazine that was concealed within an open text book. When the nun caught him, she snatched the magazine from him and stated, "That will be enough of that, Beatle Bob!" The name has stuck.