He loves them, yeah, yeah, yeah.
But Aaron Krerowicz of Carmel subsists on far more than emotional passion in his fanatical fandom for the Beatles. Because, well, it’s his job to remain devoted to the Fab Four.
That’s right. He’s a full-time, professional Beatles scholar. And one who seems pretty rock ’n’ roll radical.
Sure, he often wears a necktie during his multimedia presentations, such as the free one comparing and contrasting the Beatles with the Rolling Stones. The event is slated at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Red Room of the Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St. in Columbus.
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But his ties are adorned with — you guessed it — John, Paul, George and Ringo.
“There certainly aren’t very many people doing what I do,” Krerowicz said, speaking by phone from his home. “I take a lot of the music theory analysis that I learned in (eight years of) college. And I apply that to a popular music context. Academia, of course, is notorious for emphasizing classical and the idea that people such as Beethoven were, well, God.
“But over time, pop music has become more accepted in academic institutions as something worthy of study.”
And Krerowicz, a musician originally funded by a University of Hartford research grant in 2011, does indeed study. For instance, when he grew somewhat irritated to see online chatters denigrate Ringo Starr’s talent and ability among his much-praised bandmates, the 30-year-old Butler University graduate began an intense, months-long study and blogging about Starr’s drumming patterns through the band’s tunes.
“But, lately, I haven’t been listening to as much of the Beatles,” he said. “Instead it’s been the music of ‘Star Wars,’ since I also do programs on that.”
His program audiences have ranged from 30 to more than 100 people, including 167 listeners a few months ago at the Louisville (Kentucky) Public Library.
He is serious enough about all things Beatles that he actually contacted Indianapolis Colts owner and rock music fan Jim Irsay when the five-day Abbey Road on the River festival, launched in Louisville, recently sought a new home (it landed in nearby Jeffersonville).
Krerowicz hoped Indianapolis could stage the event.
He fills his days with preparation for a range of nationwide engagements. On a recent day, one was “Songs the Beatles Gave Away,” focusing on John Lennon/Paul McCartney tunes recorded by other artists.
His father’s Beatles record collection first inspired him, and he later began following a long and winding road of music study. Yet, when he simply wants to unwind, he’ll skip, say, “Meet the Beatles!” in his headphones.
“As far as pleasure listening, I know the music so well I don’t really feel a need to listen to the recordings,” he said, adding that he gravitates toward artists as varied as Lady Gaga and Delbert McClinton. “For analysis, I still listen closely, to make sure I’ve got things right in my head.”
Part of his presentation next week will key on strong early similarities between the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. For example, the Beatles released the album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in June 1967. The Stones followed with the disc, “Satanic Majesty” six months later.
“It’s very clearly modeled after Sgt. Pepper,” he said. “The early Stones seem to many to have been modeled after the Beatles in many ways.”
Greg Hedges, the longtime local bass guitarist with Columbus-based Brown 25 and a big Beatles and Stones fan, acknowledged that both groups remain hugely popular with his group’s classic rock audience. He loves that.
“Personally, I’m a British invasion freak,” Hedges said. “I’d probably play just about all British invasion group’s tunes if it were up to me.”
Apparently, many of the band’s followers share some of that passion. He estimated that a fourth of the band’s live tunes are Beatles songs.
“And they never fail to go over well,” Hedges said.
That includes whether the crowd is young or older. And the music’s staying power? He offered an easy answer.
“I think part of it is that is its excellence,” Hedges said.
Never an argument there from Aaron Krerowicz.
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What: Full-time professional Beatles scholar Aaron Krerowicz, 30, of Carmel and his free, one hour multimedia presentation comparing and contrasting the music of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
It will feature music and video clips and Krerowicz’s commentary and perspective.
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Red Room of the Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St. in Columbus.
Information: 812-379-1266 or aaronkrerowicz.com or mybcpl.org.
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