Once again I have been reduced to a screaming teenager. I just can't help it. And this time the Beatles are responsible. Or, more accurately, The Fab Four, the world's greatest Beatles tribute band.
For some reason people have mixed feelings about tribute bands and I could never understand why. I mean, I get not wanting to pay top dollar to see Brice Springsteen on tour when you can still see Bruce Springsteen on tour. But what if you favorite bands aren't around anymore. Or have stopped touring. Or changed members so many times they're barely recognizable. Or they hate playing their hits and only want to play their new stuff. Then you *need* a tribute band to help you realize your fantasies of seeing your favorite songs being played live. I'm 36. The Beatles had broken up by the time I was born. John Lennon and I only existed on the same planet for a month. I'm never going to see The Beatles play live. But I'm in love with their music. Their songs were a big part of my past and present and will be a big part of my future. The Beatles permanently changed the musical landscape. To be born too late means missing out on something special. Or does it? For the second time, I was flipping through the local paper when I saw that The Fab Four would be coming to the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. The first time I thought it would be fun to go and got tickets for myself, my dad, and my brother. I was not prepared for the magical experience of that night in any way, shape, or form. My heart leapt when the curtain rose and I heard that first guitar strum of Hard Day's Night. I was on my feet, clapping and screaming with everyone else in the ballroom. By the end of the night my face hurt form smiling so much! After the show we stayed to meet the band and get their autographs. "George" almost made me faint when he said, "Hello, luv" in his genuine Liverpool accent and took a photo with me. You might think that once would be enough, but it wasn't. When they came back to town, I knew we had to see them again so I bought tickets and coaxed my dad into going. I wrote about my first show for the Lompoc Vision, where I outlined the set list and offered up the actual names of "John", "Paul", "George", and "Ringo". I talked about their signature hair shakes and the way they goofed around on stage and what amazing musicians they were. Seriously. AMAZING. I talked about feeling like I had actually seen the Beatles, something I had previously, and rightly, thought impossible. This time I left my notepad at home, because this show was just for me. But the magic was the same. The Fab Four captured something that you shouldn't be able to capture. The Beatles, at this point, are mythical creatures. But they did it. They pulled off the ultimate magic trick and I loved every minute. We had to stay to meet the guys after the show. This time I was wearing my red and black wig and when we got up to the table where the band was standing, "George" said "Nice to meet you, luv" (swoon) and they all commented on the fact that my hair matched his black and red striped pants. We all laughed and smiled and posed for a group photo and I floated back to the car on a cloud. I'm already looking forward to the next time they come to play. I officially have Fab Four mania =) www.thefabfour.com
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Flashback to meeting these two lovely, lovely people. Chris Hayzel after his show at SoHo in Santa Barbara and his mom Nia Peeples after a friendly chat in the ladies room.
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"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the sooner we will be able to treat life as art." Archives
December 2018
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