Michael Naimoli is the drummer and co-founding member of Queens-based Beatles cover band, Yesterday And Today. He has lived his entire life, 57 years, in Ozone Park. Michael first became a Beatles fan at the age of five, when his older brother John played him the record, “Yellow Submarine.” It was from that moment on that he knew he wanted to be a drummer. Michael’s passion for ‘all things Beatles’ has helped shape his life. He is married to a beautiful Japanese woman, and they have a son named Lennon. Michael has performed the music of The Beatles all over the United States, in Tokyo, Japan, and at the world-famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, England, which is the same club The Beatles got their start back in 1961. Michael enjoys jamming with friends around the “Imagine” mosaic in Strawberry Fields, Central Park every October 9th and December 8th, as well as at the yearly Beatles festival held in NY/NJ. Over the years, Michael has met Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Martin, Pete Best, Julian, Cynthia, and Sean Lennon, Louise Harrison, Denny Laine, May Pang, and Yoko Ono. April of 2026 will mark 19 proud years that Michael has been blessed performing with Yesterday And Today, and bringing enjoyment to countless numbers of New Yorkers from every ethnicity and every age group.
NB: Other than the amazing diversity, what do/did you love most about living in Queens (or Queens in general)?
MN: It’s difficult for me to say what ONE thing I love MOST about living in Queens, but one thing is the access.
I love living close to JFK Airport, and only a short drive to LGA. I love being near the Belt Parkway towards Brooklyn, and towards Long Island as well. I love being only a short drive into Manhattan, or a short drive over the bridges to Rockaway Beach. I love not being far from Citi Field, from Forest Park, from Flushing Meadows.
NB: How does Queens inspire you? What are some of your favorite places to be inspired in Queens?
MN: The beauty of certain neighborhoods in Queens inspires me. I love the tree-lined streets, and the beautiful homes in Forest Hills Gardens. I love the water, the restaurants, and the close-knit Italian community of Howard Beach. I love being in Forest Park or Flushing Meadows in the Summer. I love being down by the waterfront of LIC. Going to the QBG is inspiring. Sitting and looking at the Whitestone Bridge is beautiful. The wildlife preserve in Broad Channel is lovely. Sitting on Rockaway Beach, in any weather, looking at the ocean is always magical.
NB: What are your favorite restaurants, cafes, theaters, book stores, exhibits, museums, communities, and venues in Queens? Favorite places to perform?
MN: My absolute FAVORITE restaurant in Queens, and in the entire world is La Villa, located in Howard Beach. I also love New Park Pizza, also in HB, and Lillian’s Pizzeria in FH. I LOVE the fresh fish from Sea Shell Fish Market on Cross Bay Blvd. in HB. C-Town on the corner of Sutter Ave and Cross Bay Blvd in Ozone Park is very convenient for me. The Howard Beach Bagel Cafe is my favorite breakfast spot, as well as IHOP on Liberty Ave in Ozone Park. London Lennie’s in Rego Park is a favorite of mine. For the movies, I love going to Regal in the Atlas Park Mall in Glendale.
One of my band’s favorite venues to perform at is the Bantry Bay Publick House in LIC. The food is delicious, the drinks are cold, and the staff is very friendly. We also love performing each summer at the Atlas Park Mall in Glendale, and the Silver Gull and Breezy Point Surf Clubs in Breezy Point. We’ve been performing at those three venues for 18 years.
NB: Do you have any events or projects coming up that you’d like to promote?
MN: On Saturday night, June 20th, we are performing a special show at the Rockaway Beach Amphitheater on Beach 94th Street and the Boardwalk. This event is being sponsored by QCAN (Queens Culture & Arts Network), and NYC Councilmember Joann Ariola. There will be a huge Grucci fireworks show afterwards to celebrate the USA’s 250th Birthday this July 4th.
NB: If you could choose only one Beatles song to represent Queens, what would it be and why?
MN: Hmmm, that’s a difficult question to answer, but if I had to pick one, I guess I’d say “Across the Universe,” since Queens is the “World’s Borough!”
NB: Can you tell us more about your Queens-based Beatles cover band, Yesterday And Today? How did you know you wanted to create this cover band? Why do you feel people today still resonate so much with the Beatles?
MN: Yesterday And Today was formed in April of 2007, after I answered an ad on Craig’s List. Each of the band members are passionate, committed, talented, and knowledgeable Beatles fans. We are all students of the music. Nineteen years later, we are now an established, professional, fun and entertaining, six-piece, Queens-based band with a large and loyal following. Although we use all the same instruments that The Beatles did, we are not a look alike, or a dress-up band. We focus on the music only, in a family-friendly show. We perform at parks, schools, churches, bars and restaurants, block parties, fund raisers, K of C and Kiwanis events, etc. Our motto is: “A Splendid Time is Guaranteed for All!”
People still resonate with The Beatles because their music is timeless, ageless, loved by tens of millions worldwide, in every age group, and from every ethnicity. Their music brings people together, to sing about peace and love. Their message is positive. But, most importantly, their music is just the best music ever written and performed. It’s fun. It’s upbeat. It’s clever. You can dance to it. Beautiful harmonies, catchy melodies. What’s not to love about The Beatles? And, here we are, 56 years after their breakup, and we’re all still passionate about them, still talking about them. They even had a number one hit last year with their newest song, “Now and Then.” That speaks volumes!
—Nicollette Barsamian
For the complete story, visit QGazette.com. The Local-Express interview series was originated on July 3, 2013 by Nicollette Barsamian