The Fab Four (tribute)

Last updated
The Fab Four
The Fab Four Tribute.jpg
(From left to right) Ardavan Sarraf, Erik Fidel, Gavin Pring, Ron McNeil
Background information
Also known asThe Ultimate Tribute
Origin California
Genres
Years active1997–present
LabelsDelta Ent. (Laserlight), New World Digital
MembersArdavan Sarraf
Ron McNeil
Adam Hastings
Gavin Pring
Jon Fickes
Neil Candelora<Tyson kelly> Doug Couture
Robbie Berg
Erik Fidel
Richard Lewis
Miles Frizzell
Gilbert bonilla>
Past membersDavid Brighton
Frank Canino
Frank Mendonca III

Jim Owen
Joe Gallo
Michael Amador
Rolo Sandoval
Brendan Peleo-Lazar
Luis Renteria
Joseph Bologna
Joshua Jones
Website www.TheFabFour.com

The Fab Four is a California tribute band paying homage to the Beatles. Founded in 1997 by Ron McNeil (real name Ronald Mendonca), [1] a John Lennon impersonator, the group began performing Beatles music throughout southern California. [2] 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.

Contents

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. [3] The core group consisted of McNeil (John Lennon), along with Ardavan Sarraf (Paul McCartney), Michael Amador (George Harrison) and Rolo Sandoval (Ringo Starr). Sarraf, a natural right-hander, taught himself to play the bass guitar left-handed to emulate McCartney. [4]

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, [5] The Aladdin, [6] The Sahara [7] [8] and The Riviera. [9]

In 2013, the PBS special "The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute," filmed at Pechanga Resort & Casino in 2012, received an Emmy Award. [10] [11]

In 2018, McNeil said "After 25 years, I want to be home a little more. But I'm still president of the company, and everybody who started this with me are still my business partners, even though only Ardy's still on stage. So it'll be carrying on, which is great." He anointed Liverpool-born Adam Hastings as his replacement. [12] As of 2019, the most common lineup consisted of Ardavan Sarraf (McCartney), Adam Hastings (Lennon), Gavin Pring (Harrison) and Joe Bologna (Starr).

From 2020 to 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fab Four live-streamed numerous concerts, with McNeil, Sandoval and Erik Fidel coming back.

The cast

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.

John Lennon

Paul McCartney

George Harrison

Ringo Starr

Ed Sullivan

An actor portraying Ed Sullivan is the MC of Fab Four shows, in reference to The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Side projects

Wingsband

Formed by Ardavan 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 Harry’s Son

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 [13] 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.

Rutlemania

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 [14] [15] and New York. [16] [17]

Yellow Submarine movie remake

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. [18] [19] [20] [21]

Notable appearances

Discography

All songs were arranged, performed, recorded and produced by The Fab Four.

A Fab Four Christmas

Release Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)

Have Yourself a FAB-ulous Little Christmas

Release Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)

HARK!

Release Date - 2008
Label - Robo Records

The Ultimate Beatles Tribute in Concert, Vol. 1

Release Date - 2002/2011
Label - Self-released

No.TitleLength
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) 

TV Special Soundtrack

Release Date - 2013
Label - Self-released

Personnel

  • Ron McNeil – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica
  • Ardavan Sarraf – Vocals, Bass, Keyboards, Guitar
  • Gavin Pring – Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Sitar
  • Erik Fidel – Vocals, Drums, Percussion
No.TitleLength
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) 

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rutles</span> Parody group of The Beatles

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's death in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Quarrymen</span> British skiffle/rock and roll band

The Quarrymen are a British skiffle and rock and roll group, formed by John Lennon in Liverpool in 1956, which evolved into the Beatles in 1960. Originally consisting of Lennon and several school friends, the Quarrymen took their name from a line in the school song of their school, the Quarry Bank High School. Lennon's mother, Julia, taught her son to play the banjo, showed Lennon and Eric Griffiths how to tune their guitars in a similar way to the banjo, and taught them simple chords and songs.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul McCartney and Wings</span> English–American rock band

Paul McCartney and Wings, often billed simply as Wings, were an English-American rock band formed in 1971 in London by former Beatle Paul McCartney; his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards; session drummer Denny Seiwell; and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine. They were noted for their commercial successes, musical eclecticism, and frequent personnel changes. They went through three lead guitarists and four drummers. The core trio of the McCartneys and Laine, however, remained intact throughout the group's existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Those Years Ago</span> 1981 single by George Harrison

"All Those Years Ago" is a song by the English rock musician George Harrison, released in May 1981 as a single from his ninth studio album Somewhere in England. Having previously recorded the music for the song, Harrison tailored the lyrics to serve as a personal tribute to his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon, following the latter's murder in 1980. Ringo Starr is featured on drums, and Paul McCartney overdubbed backing vocals onto the basic track. The single spent three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, and it peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped Canada's RPM singles chart and spent one week at number 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary listings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bootleg Beatles</span> Beatles tribute band

The Bootleg Beatles are a Beatles tribute band. They have performed over 4,000 times since their establishment in March 1980.

<i>Beatlemania</i> (musical) 1977 Broadway musical revue

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Madonna</span> 1968 single by the Beatles

"Lady Madonna" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. In March 1968 it was released as a mono non-album single, backed with "The Inner Light". The song was recorded on 3 and 6 February 1968, before the Beatles left for India, and its boogie-woogie style signalled a more conventional approach to writing and recording for the group following the psychedelic experimentation of the previous two years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovely Rita</span> 1967 song by the Beatles

"Lovely Rita" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was written mainly by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It is about a meter maid and the narrator's affection for her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want to Tell You</span> 1966 song by the Beatles

"I Want to Tell You" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1966 album Revolver. It was written and sung by George Harrison, the band's lead guitarist. After "Taxman" and "Love You To", it was the third Harrison composition recorded for Revolver. Its inclusion on the LP marked the first time that he was allocated more than two songs on a Beatles album, a reflection of his continued growth as a songwriter beside John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Girl</span> Song by The Beatles

"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."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Saw Her Standing There</span> 1963 single by the Beatles

"I Saw Her Standing There" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. It is the opening track on the band's 1963 debut UK album Please Please Me and their debut US album Introducing... The Beatles.

<i>Birth of the Beatles</i> 1979 biopic film directed by Richard Marquand

Birth of the Beatles is a 1979 American biographical film, produced by Dick Clark Productions and directed by Richard Marquand. It was shown as a TV film on ABC in the United States, and received a theatrical release in other countries. The film focuses on the early history of the Beatles. It was released nine years after the Beatles disbanded, and is the only biographical film about the band to be released while all four members were alive. Pete Best, the Beatles' original drummer, served as a technical advisor for the production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band on the Run (song)</span> 1974 single by Paul McCartney and Wings

"Band on the Run" is a song by the British–American rock band Paul McCartney and Wings, the title track to their 1973 album Band on the Run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letting Go (Wings song)</span> 1975 single by Wings

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fab Faux</span> New York-based Beatles tribute band

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fest for Beatles Fans</span> American music festival

The Fest for Beatles Fans is a twice-annual, three-day festival that honors the lasting legacy of the Beatles. The festival takes place in the New York metropolitan area, ordinarily in March or April, and in Chicago, Illinois, each August. Running Friday through Sunday, the Fest features special guests, live concerts, exhibits, art contests, a Beatles marketplace, a sound-alike contest, a Battle of the Beatles Bands, and more.

Ultimate Beatles is a UK Beatles tribute band/tribute act based in London/greater London.

The Beatles' 1965 tour of the United Kingdom was a concert tour that took place between 3 and 12 December 1965, comprising 18 shows at nine venues across England, Scotland and Wales. It coincided with the release of the Beatles' studio album Rubber Soul and their double A-side single "Day Tripper" / "We Can Work It Out", and was the final UK tour undertaken by the band. Weary of Beatlemania, the group conceded to do the tour but refused to also perform a season of Christmas concerts as they had done over the 1963–64 and 1964–65 Christmas seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul McCartney's band</span> Studio and touring band of Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney's band is the backing band that accompanies Paul McCartney in the studio and on tour. The core line-up has been steady since 2002, and includes Wix Wickens on keyboards and serving as musical director, Rusty Anderson on guitar, Brian Ray on guitar and bass, and Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums.

References

  1. "The Fab Four Corp". dnb.com. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  2. "The Fab Four: Beatles concert experience comes to the MAC". phoenix.org. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  3. "The Fab Four - Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  4. Demuth, Gary. "Band's devotion to detail part of bringing The Beatles to life". The Hutchinson News. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  5. Quezada, Zeke. "Las Vegas Hilton Theater: Entertainment Schedule". about.com. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  6. Weatherford, Mike (2006-07-28). "'Fab Four' reminds fans of simple roots: Beatles tribute isn't as fancy as 'Love,' but still a crowd-pleaser". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  7. Heather (2008-02-08). "Fab Four Mania at the Sahara Hotel". thelasvegasadventurer.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  8. Weatherford, Mike (2008-01-11). "Mop Top Mania: 'Fab Four' balances authenticity with wise-cracking fun". reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  9. Weatherford, Mike (2008-10-16). "Beatles tribute reopens at Riviera". lvrj.com. Retrieved 2012-04-29.
  10. Graff, Gary (2018-10-17). "The Fab Four at Sound Board, 3 Things To Know". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23.
  11. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter (2014-02-01). "2013 Emmy Award Winners" (PDF). nataspw.org. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
  12. "The Fab Four at Sound Board, 3 Things To Know | Arts & Entertainment | theoaklandpress.com". 2019-04-23. Archived from the original on 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  13. "GEORGE HARRY'S SON - A George Harrison Themed Supergroup from Liverpool". beatlenews.com. 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  14. Thompson, Elise (2007). "Rutlemania!". laist.com. Archived from the original on 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  15. "The Set List: Rutlemania Returns to Hollywood". Variety. 2008-03-07. Archived from the original on 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  16. Jarnow, Jesse (2007). "Live: Rutlemania at the Blender Theater the Gramercy at Your Mom". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 2008-10-22. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  17. Lustig, Jay (2007). "Celebrating the band that celebrated the four lads from Liverpool". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  18. Perpetua, Matthew (2011-03-15). "Disney Kills 'Yellow Submarine' Remake". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  19. Kreps, Daniel (2010-01-12). "Actors, Tribute Band Cast as Beatles in Zemeckis' "Yellow Submarine" Remake". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2010-01-17. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  20. Hall, Russell (2010-01-13). "Main Cast Selected For Beatles' Yellow Submarine Remake". gibson.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
  21. Foster, Patrick (2010-01-14). "Beatles actors who will all live in a 3-D Yellow Submarine are named". timesonine.co.uk. London. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  22. "The Linda McCartney Story". IMDb. 2000. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  23. Lisi, Michael (2003-02-12). "Fab Four re-enacts Beatles' shows word for word". dailygazette.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  24. "Liverpool Tour". liverpooltour.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  25. "Ellen's Really Big Show". EllenTube. 2007. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  26. "House M.D., It's a Wonderful Lie - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
  27. "The Fab Four" via Facebook.[ non-primary source needed ]
  28. "The Fab Four: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute". KPBS Public Media. 2012-06-01. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  29. "Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Welcomes The Beatles Abbey Road Traveling Experience". VegasNews.com - Las Vegas News. 20 March 2012.
  30. "The Beatles tribute by The Fab Four (performing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album) : The World's Greatest Tribute Bands on AXS TV hosted by Katie Daryl The World Famous Whisky A Go Go".
  31. "Celebrate 50 Summers of Love With Micky Dolenz, Mark Lindsay, and The Fab Four". NewJerseyStage.com. 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  32. "The Fab Four (2) - Hark!". Discogs.
  33. "The Fab Four Online Store". thefabfour.com.
  34. "The Fab Four Online Store". thefabfour.com.
  35. "The Ultimate Beatles Tribute in Concert - Vol.1 by The Fab Four". iTunes Store.
  36. "The Fab Four Online Store". thefabfour.com.