The Fab Four | |
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Background information | |
Also known as | The Ultimate Tribute |
Origin | California |
Genres | |
Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Delta Ent. (Laserlight), New World Digital |
Members | Ardavan Sarraf Ron McNeil Adam Hastings Gavin Pring Jon Fickes Neil Candelora Joshua Jones Doug Couture Robbie Berg Erik Fidel Richard Lewis Miles Frizzell Chris Colon John Auker |
Past members | David Brighton Frank Canino Frank Mendonca III Tyson Kelly Jim Owen Joe Gallo Michael Amador Gilbert Bonilla Rolo Sandoval Brendan Peleo-Lazar Luis Renteria Joseph Bologna |
Website | www.TheFabFour.com |
The Fab Four is a California tribute band paying homage to the Beatles. Founded in 1997 by Ron McNeil, a John Lennon impersonator, the group began performing Beatles music throughout southern California. [1] They have played in many places worldwide, including Japan, Malaysia, France, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Mexico and Brazil, covering nearly the entire Beatles songbook and material from Beatles members' solo projects.
The band's beginnings included Tuesday night performances at a small venue called Music City in Fountain Valley, as well as regular performances at Disneyland's Tomorrowland Terrace in Anaheim, The Hop in Puente Hills and Scruffy O’Sheas in Marina del Rey. [2] The core group consisted of McNeil (John Lennon), along with Ardy Sarraf (Paul McCartney), Michael Amador (George Harrison) and Rolo Sandoval (Ringo Starr). From 2005 to 2008, the Fab Four brought in a second cast of musicians to help perform a full stage show six nights a week in Las Vegas, with various members alternating between cast. Performing as Fab Four Mania, the Vegas cast performed regularly at locations such as the Las Vegas Hilton, [3] The Aladdin, [4] The Sahara [5] [6] and The Riviera. [7]
In 2013, the Fab Four received an Emmy Award for their PBS special "The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute," filmed at Pechanga Resort & Casino in 2012. [8] [9] As of 2019, the most common lineup formerly consisted of Ardy Sarraf (McCartney), Adam Hastings (Lennon), Gavin Pring (Harrison) and Joe Bologna (Starr).
As of 2020 and 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fab Four have been live streaming numerous concerts, with Ron McNeil, Rolo Sandoval and Erik Fidel coming back.
As of now, The Fab Four has a rotating cast that changes almost every show. Listed below are the cast members that are currently part of The Fab Four’s regular rotation.
Formed by Ardy Sarraf, Wingsband is a Paul McCartney and Wings tribute act that covers many of McCartney's biggest post-Beatles hits. The band features Ron McNeil as Denny Laine, Michael Amador as Henry McCullough and Rolo Sandoval as Joe English, plus a horn section led by Wendell Kelly (The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Whitney Houston) and singer/songwriter Christine Rosander as Linda McCartney. Both Laurence Juber, Wings guitarist from 1978 to 1981, and Denny Seiwell, the original Wings drummer from 1971 to 1973, have performed onstage with Wingsband at The Grove in Anaheim, CA.
George Harrison impersonator and Liverpool native, Gavin Pring, created a tribute act called George Harry's Son to celebrate Harrison's solo material, as well as his hits from the Beatle years. Pring has brought this act to the top Beatles music festivals, including the annual Beatleweek in Liverpool [10] at the Mathew Street Festival and Abbey Road on the River in the United States. Pring also performed on the same stage as Paul McCartney in 2002 for the tribute show held on Harrison's birthday.
In 2007, The Fab Four was approached by Eric Idle from the British comedy group Monty Python to perform a set of shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Rutles, a Beatles parody group formed in 1975 by Idle and Neil Innes. The show featured McNeil as Ron Nasty (originally played by Innes), Sarraf as Dirk McQuickly (Idle), Amador as Stig O’Hara (Ricky Fataar) and Sandoval as Barry Wom (John Halsey), and was performed multiple nights in both Los Angeles [11] [12] and New York. [13] [14]
In 2010, The Fab Four was cast to do the motion-capture performance footage for director Robert Zemeckis' 3-D remake of The Beatles animated film classic, Yellow Submarine . The movie was set to be released sometime in 2012, but Disney canceled the project when Zemeckis' film Mars Needs Moms performed poorly in the box office and critics' reviews of Zemeckis' animations were mostly negative. [15] [16] [17] [18]
All songs were arranged, performed, recorded and produced by The Fab Four.
Release Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
No. | Title | Based on | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Johnny Marks) | "I Saw Her Standing There" | |
2. | "Joy to the World" (Lowell Mason) | "Please Please Me" | |
3. | "Feliz Navidad" (José Feliciano) | "And I Love Her" | |
4. | "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Felix Mendelssohn) | "Help!" | |
5. | "Away in a Manger" (Traditional) | "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" | |
6. | "Good King Wenceslas" (John Mason Neale) | "Tell Me What You See" | |
7. | "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" (Edmund Sears) | "Baby's in Black" | |
8. | "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard / Richard B. Smith) | "Honey Don't" | |
9. | "Frosty the Snowman" (Walter E. Rollins / Steve Nelson) | "Mr. Moonlight" | |
10. | "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne) | "Eight Days a Week" |
Release Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
No. | Title | Based on | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots) | "When I'm Sixty Four" | |
2. | "Silent Night" (Franz Gruber) | "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" | |
3. | "The Christmas Song" (Mel Torme) | "Here, There and Everywhere" | |
4. | "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (Traditional) | "Within You, Without You" | |
5. | "The Little Drummer Boy" (Katherine Davis) | "Sun King" | |
6. | "Dear Santa" (Richard Starkey / Mark Hudson / Steve Dudas) | "Oh! Darling" | |
7. | "What Child Is This?" (William Chatterton Dix) | "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" | |
8. | "Blue Christmas" (Billy Hayes) | "Revolution 1" | |
9. | "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Johnny Marks) | "Got to Get You Into My Life" | |
10. | "Jingle Bells" (James Lord Pierpont) | "Tomorrow Never Knows" |
Release Date - 2008
Label - Robo Records
Release Date - 2002/2011
Label - Self-released
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Twist and Shout (Short Version)" (Phil Medley / Bert Berns) | |
2. | "Please Please Me" (John Lennon / Paul McCartney) | 2:06 |
3. | "All My Loving" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:12 |
4. | "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:24 |
5. | "From Me to You" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:03 |
6. | "Love Me Do" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:27 |
7. | "Do You Want to Know a Secret" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:01 |
8. | "Boys" (Luther Dixon / Wes Farrell) | 2:31 |
9. | "You Really Got a Hold on Me" (Smokey Robinson) | 2:57 |
10. | "This Boy" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:25 |
11. | "A Hard Day's Night" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:32 |
12. | "I Should Have Known Better" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:51 |
13. | "If I Fell" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:18 |
14. | "Eight Days a Week" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:48 |
15. | "Can't Buy Me Love" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:12 |
16. | "Act Naturally" (Buck Owens) | 2:41 |
17. | "Help!" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:20 |
18. | "Michelle" (Lennon / McCartney) | 3:00 |
19. | "I Feel Fine" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:28 |
20. | "Yesterday" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:12 |
21. | "She Loves You" (Lennon / McCartney) | 2:20 |
22. | "Roll Over Beethoven" (Chuck Berry) | 2:38 |
23. | "I Saw Her Standing There" (Lennon / McCartney) | 3:33 |
24. | "Twist and Shout" (Medley / Berns) | 2:49 |
25. | "Outro" (N/A) |
Release Date - 2013
Label - Self-released
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
2. | "All My Loving" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
3. | "A Hard Day's Night" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
4. | "Eight Days a Week" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
5. | "Can't Buy Me Love" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
6. | "Help!" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
7. | "She Loves You" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
8. | "I Saw Her Standing There" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
9. | "Twist and Shout" (Medley / Berns) | |
10. | "Yesterday" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
11. | "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
12. | "With a Little Help From My Friends" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
13. | "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
14. | "Yellow Submarine" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
15. | "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
16. | "A Day in the Life" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
17. | "Imagine" (Lennon) | |
18. | "Here Comes the Sun" (George Harrison) | |
19. | "Get Back" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
20. | "Revolution" (Lennon / McCartney) | |
21. | "Hey Jude" (Lennon / McCartney) |
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular music as an art form. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways. The band also explored music styles ranging from folk and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionized many aspects of the music industry and were often publicized as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements.
The Rutles were a rock band that performed visual and aural pastiches and parodies of the Beatles. This originally fictional band, created by Eric Idle and Neil Innes for a sketch in Idle's mid-1970s BBC television comedy series Rutland Weekend Television, later toured and recorded, releasing two studio albums and garnering two UK chart hits. The band toured again from 2002 until Innes' death in 2019.
The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton. The profits from the event went to the Material World Charitable Foundation, an organisation founded by Harrison.
Paul McCartney and Wings, often billed simply as Wings, were an English-American rock band formed in 1971 in London by former Beatles bassist and singer Paul McCartney, his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards, session drummer Denny Seiwell, and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine. Wings were noted for their commercial successes, musical eclecticism and frequent personnel changes; going through three lead guitarists and four drummers. However, the core trio of the McCartneys and Laine remained intact throughout the group's existence.
A tribute act, tribute band, tribute group or tribute artist is a music group, singer, or musician who specifically plays the music of a well-known music act. Tribute acts include individual performers who mimic the songs and style of an artist, such as Elvis impersonators covering the works of Elvis Presley or groups like The Iron Maidens, an all-female band that pays tribute to Iron Maiden.
The Bootleg Beatles are a Beatles tribute band. They have performed over 4,000 times since their establishment in March 1980.
Beatlemania was a Broadway musical revue focused on the music of the Beatles as it related to the events and changing attitudes of the tumultuous 1960s. A "rockumentary," advertised as "Not the Beatles, but an incredible simulation," it ran from May 1977 to October 1979 for a total of 1,006 performances.
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is a song written by Paul McCartney, credited to Lennon–McCartney, released in 1967 on the album of the same name by the Beatles. The song appears twice on the album: as the opening track, and as "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)", the penultimate track. As the title song, the lyrics introduce the fictional band that performs on the album.
"Another Girl" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1965 album Help! and included in the film of the same title. The song was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The song is addressed to the singer's girlfriend, who is informed that the singer has found "another girl."
"I'm Down" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was released on a non-album single as the B-side to "Help!" in July 1965. The song originated in McCartney's attempt to write a song in the style of Little Richard, whose song "Long Tall Sally" the band regularly covered.
Yellow Submarine is a 1968 animated jukebox musical fantasy surrealist adventure comedy film inspired by the music of the Beatles, directed by animation producer George Dunning, and produced by United Artists and King Features Syndicate. Initial press reports stated that the Beatles themselves would provide their own character voices. However, apart from composing and performing the songs, the real Beatles' only participation was in the closing scene of the film; the voices of their animated counterparts were provided by voice actors.
"Come and Get It" is a song composed by English singer-songwriter Paul McCartney for the 1969 film The Magic Christian. The song was performed by Badfinger, produced by McCartney and issued as a single 5 December 1969 in the UK, and 12 January 1970 in the US, on the Beatles' Apple label. It was the band's first release under the Badfinger name and was their international breakthrough, hitting the top 10 in both the UK and US singles charts.
"Letting Go" is a song credited to Paul and Linda McCartney and originally released by Wings on their 1975 album Venus and Mars. The song was remixed and released as a single on 4 October 1975 in the United States, and on 18 October 1975 in the United Kingdom. The song peaked at number 41 in the UK, 41 on the Cash Box Top 100 and number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Fab Faux is a musical tribute band performing the works of the Beatles. The group was founded by Will Lee, bassist for Late Show with David Letterman, and features Jimmy Vivino, bandleader for Conan. Other members include Rich Pagano, Frank Agnello, and Jack Petruzzelli. The band is committed to performing live what they feel would be an accurate reproduction of The Beatles' repertoire, often performing material The Beatles never played live. The band members do not try to impersonate the members of The Beatles, instead simply playing cover songs. The band is often accompanied by a horn section and a string section to achieve the proper sound.
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Glee Sings the Beatles is the fifteenth soundtrack album by the cast of the American musical television show Glee. It was made available for pre-order on iTunes on September 10, 2013, with the expected to be released date on September 24, 2013, two days before the fifth season premiere. The album features fourteen songs recorded for the first two episodes of the season: "Love Love Love" and "Tina in the Sky with Diamonds".
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