The Bootleg Beatles can lay claim to be the first ever tribute band, and they are certainly one of the very best.
For proof, you can catch them on their 17-date UK tour this December.
Founder member Neil Harrison (who takes the part of John Lennon) recently took time out to talk about the band and their amazing show.
In fact, The Bootleg Beatles have been performing now for 28 years, that’s nearly three times longer than the original band, and it was all thanks to a Broadway show.
“It all started with a musical called ‘Beatlemania’.” Neil told me. “It came over from Broadway on 1980 and they were looking for a British cast. I actually auditioned with David (Catlin-Birch, who plays Paul McCartney) and we won the parts of John and Paul respectively. We also met Andre Barreau there who got the part of George.”
After ‘Beatlemania’ closed there was a gap to fill.
“That’s right. We’d learnt all the songs and grown our fringes, so we thought we’d go out on our own and try it for six months. And here we are 28 years on.”
The Bootlegs actually performed in front of George Harrison at Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s 50th birthday when the former Beatle said that they “probably know the chords better than I do.”
It wasn’t Neil’s first encounter with a Beatle though.
“No, it was Christmas 1968 and my parents lived close to where Paul McCartney had bought a house for his dad and we went carol singing there.
“After a while we started singing Beatle songs and Paul actually came out with his guitar and jammed with us! Then we got invited in and played for about 45 minutes, we did most of the ‘White’ album. Then Paul showed me the chords of an unfinished song called ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ which came out on the ‘Let It Be’ album.”
Going on to the show, the attention to detail is incredible, all members of the band are talented musicians and their looks help also.
“We are lucky that we are quite close to The Beatles physically.” Neil said. “We do try to recreate the look because the more you look like them, the more the audience believe. It’s strange where a lot of the money goes though. We’ve just spent a lot of money on things like wigs made from real hair, and we all have to have three for the show for the different eras.”
I bet it was tempting to have David (‘Paul’) and Hugo Degenhardt (‘Ringo’) learn to play bass and drums left handed.
Neil laughed, “It would have been a good idea, but Paul’s bass parts are so melodic that they’re pretty hard to learn left-handed.”
The singer-guitarist is keen to point out that The Bootleg Beatles are not just a tribute band, as he explained.
“People don’t realise that in a way, we’ve been tarred with the ‘tribute band’ brush. We don’t just go on stage and bash out Beatles’ songs. We’re a theatrical show – a Beatles history show.”
So what does a typical Bootleg Beatles show involve?
“It’s a full history of The Beatles to the sound of their own music.”
Is there a narrative?
“No, the story is told through film.” Neil elaborated further. “There is a massive screen on which we project newsreel films of the times setting each period in context.
“There are three distinct eras: The Mop Tops, The Sergeant Pepper era and The Later Years. On top of that are all the costume changes and an orchestra. We have four brass players and four string players for songs like ‘I Am The Walrus’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’.”
And it doesn’t end there.
“Absolutely not,” said Neil, warming to his theme. “The audience is also part of it. We get them up to join in with ‘All You Need Is Love’ and some even come to the concerts in costume. It’s great to see.”
Of all the great songs Neil performs he says that he doesn’t have a particular favourite.
“After all these years,” he admitted, “it’s not singing the song that does it for me, it’s the reaction of the audience to the songs. That’s what keeps me doing it really – the effect on people.”
The Beatles, in their day, were advocates of peace and so it is with The Bootleg Beatles, and as John Lennon was the band’s main spokesman about peace, it is only fitting that Neil Harrison, filling John’s shoes in The Bootleg Beatles should also mention also mention a cause dear to their hearts.
“Yes, we are supporting ‘Peace One Day’.” He said. “We celebrate many special days throughout the year and thanks to Peace One Day. September 21st every year has been established as Peace Day.”
And it has been effective.
“In no uncertain terms. This year on September 21st, Peace One Day managed to stop the bullets flying in Afghanistan and as a result the Red Cross managed to get in and inoculate 1.4 million children against polio. That’s what it’s all about. We need to start the talking process.”
After 28 years, Neil still enjoys ‘being’ John Lennon.
“Who wouldn’t be? If you’re gonna pick a part to play, Lennon’s gotta be one of the best. It’s not just John the musician, but he became a voice of the people. Plus he was very witty and I get the chance to knock out some funny lines.”
The Bootleg Beatles will be appearing at The Apollo Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday 16th December (0870 401 8000) Tickets are £22.50 and are available from the box offices and the usual outlets.
24 Hr Ticket Hotline: See Tickets 0870 060 3797, Artist Tickets 0871 230 0333, or online at www.bootlegbeatles.com All tickets subject to a booking fee.
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