The Beatles are perhaps the biggest rock-n-roll band of all time. Their music has touched the hearts of generations well beyond the 1960’s, sustaining them legendary status. On February 9th, 1964, history took place when The Beatles performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, changing music and America forever. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of this monumental musical date, one of the most respected tribute bands to The Beatles, The Fab Four, came to The Paramount in Huntington, NY. Formed back in 1997, The Fab Four have played to audiences all around the world including Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and Brazil. This evening’s line-up consisted of Ron McNeil as John Lennon, Ardy Sarraf as Paul McCartney, Gavin Pring as George Harrison, and Erik Fidel as Ringo Starr. Anticipating an evening of fun, memories, and rock-n-roll, a massive enthusiastic group of Beatles fans packed out The Paramount.
The show played out in chronological order of The Beatles career, showcasing the living history of the band. Keeping the show authentic and stimulating, a video of Ed Sullivan introduced The Beatles that resulted in an eruption of cheers. The journey started in 1963-64 with hit after hit including “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, “Please Please Me”, and “All My Loving”. Full of energy, magnificently accurate costumes, and spot on body movement, these guys showed they can reenact The Beatles flawlessly. Adding to the fun, actor Jerry Hoban of Pulp Fiction (1994) played Ed Sullivan live, coming onto the stage throughout the show, bringing laughter and smiles to the audience. With the imagery of The Beatles re-imagined before the very eyes of spectators, the sound projected out into the hall was off the charts as well. These four musicians have exceptional talent, playing each song accurately and enthusiastically at the same time. Offering Beatles lovers everything they could possibly ask for, they played on with “Till There Was You”, “She Loves You”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “I Should Have Known Better”, “This Boy”, “Eight Days A Week”, and “Can’t Buy Me Love”. The audience ranged from young kids to those who were fortunate enough to experienced The Beatles back in the 1960’s, singing and dancing nonstop through “Help!”, “Yesterday”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, and “Twist And Shout”.
It was at the point in Beatles history when the times and music changed, and with that so did the wardrobe for The Fab Four’s set. The band came out in full Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band attire and Magical Mystery Tour guitars, ripping and roaring through “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “With A Little Help From My Friends”, “Eleanor Rigby”, “Strawberry Fields Forever”, and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)”. The lighting was tastefully placed about the stage, adding ambiance to the performance and the Sgt. Peppers segment winded down with “A Day In The Life” and “Got To Get You Into My Life”.
Moving forward to the next portion of the show it was time for a tribute to the great John Lennon with McNeil playing an emotionally moving performance of “Imagine”. This lead into the third and final wardrobe change with the entire band coming out in Abbey Road era clothing playing “Here Comes The Sun”, “Get Back”, and “Revolution”. The audience remained enthralled in the music until the very end of the set and it was amazing how quickly the theatrical performance went by closing out with “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude”.
Completely in tune with the audience, The Fab Four showed they are exceptional entertainers and have just as much passion for these songs. There are many Beatles tribute acts out there, but none come as close to being as authentic, fun, and personable as The Fab Four. Undoubtedly this was a fitting tribute in honor of The Beatles 50th Anniversary celebration that The Paramount was gracious enough to host to beloved life-long fans.
The show was FABULOUS!! Would def go see them again!!
Just gotta say they’re the best Beatles tribute band in the world! Hope they come to Spain soon!!! 😀