"A Hard Day's Night": Film Altered Pop History

 

"A HARD DAY'S NIGHT" FILM ALTERED POP HISTORY

Beatles tribute band, Abbey Road, performs album in its entirety at Saint Rocke on November 4

HERMOSA BEACH, CA (10/25/2012) Nationally touring Beatles tribute, Abbey Road, performs the "A Hard Day's Night" album cut for cut with a full set of other Beatles hits in a show which includes three costume changes on Sunday, November 4 at 8 pm at Saint Rocke. The concert is 21+. Doors are at 6 pm with the opening act beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at www.saintrocke.com or by calling 310 372 0035 (box office open between noon and 5 pm). Saint Rocke is located at 142 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach 92054.

A low budget film which was intended as a device to sell soundtrack albums in the United States, the Beatles' 1964 film, "A Hard Day's Night", became an astounding critical and financial success and is credited with inspiring the 60's spy movie craze, the popular television "The Monkees", MTV and the way record companies market pop artists today.

Although the Beatles were virtually unknown in the United States in October of 1963, United Artists knew the Beatles would become popular. The Beatles' record label, Capital, was refusing to release their music in America. This is where the United Artists' plan went into action. "Our record division wants to get the soundtrack album to distribute in the States," said Bud Ornstein in 1963, who was the European head of United Artists, "and what we lose on the film, we'll get back on the disc." The plan was to produce a low budget "exploitation" movie, which was very commonly done to promote recent hits by popular artists like Elvis Presley, and obtain the rights to release the soundtrack album in the United States.

With a mere budget of $500,000 and a working title of "Beatlemania," this "mock documentary" was filmed in less than a week and subsequently nominated for two Academy Awards, made the Time Magazine list of all time great 100 films and was described as "the Citizen Kane" of jukebox musicals by the Village Voice. Film critic Roger Ebert described the film as "one of the great life affirming landmarks of the movies." Contrary to United Artists' expectation of losing money, the black and white film was a huge commercial success and convinced United Artists to produce a larger budget Beatles film, "Help!", a year later.

"A Hard Day's Night" also cemented the Beatles' popularity in ways that were not imagined at the time. "The film showed fans four distinct Beatle personalities, the success of which changed the way bands were marketed," explained Abbey Road's manager Tom Maher, who was on the management team of Guns N' Roses and now is on the management team of Motorhead, Anthrax and Puddle of Mud. "Previously the Beatles were marketed as a group, but it became clear that fans loved seeing their differences and identified with them individually," continued Maher.

"This model became the template for acts like The Spice Girls and the Backstreet Boys," said Maher.

The title of the album was the accidental creation of drummer Ringo Starr, who described a late night as 'a hard day's night.'

"The title was an off-the-cuff remark by Ringo. You know one of those malapropisms - A Ringo-ism, where he said it not to be funny...just said it," explained John Lennon in a 1980 interview with Playboy. "So [director] Dick Lester said, "We are going to use that title," Lennon explained. 

The "A Hard Day's Night" soundtrack album contains some of the Beatles' most famous songs, including the title track with its recognizable opening chord, a Gsus4. The album was number one on the Billboard chart for 14 weeks, longer than any other album in 1964. 

If you wish to interview band members or manager Tom Maher, call 562 597.9989.

CALENDAR LISTING:

Nationally touring Beatles tribute, Abbey Road, performs the "A Hard Day's Night" album cut for cut with a full set of other Beatles hits in a show which includes three costume changes on Sunday, November 4 at 8 pm at Saint Rocke. The concert is 21+. Doors are at 6 pm with the opening act beginning at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at www.saintrocke.com or by calling 310 372 0035 (box office open between noon and 5 pm). Saint Rocke is located at 142 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach 92054.

PHOTO TAG: "ARGoofy" shows (l-r) Chris Paul Overall ("Paul"), Jesse Wilder ("George"), Axel Clarke ("Ringo") and Gregory Wilmot ("John"). "GoodSP" shows Wilmot, Clarke, Overall and Wilder.

Some additional information about the "A Hard Day's Night" album:

A Hard Day's Night is the first Beatles album to feature entirely original compositions, and the only one where all the songs were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Normally, McCartney and Lennon would contribute a roughly equal number of songs to each album, but A Hard Day's Night is the one Beatles album on which Lennon's dominance as songwriter is by far the greater, being the primary writer of 9 of the 13 tracks on the album, and co-writing only one song with McCartney (I'm Happy Just to Dance with You).

The album was the first by the Beatles to be recorded entirely on four track tape, allowing for good stereo mixes.

And some additional information about Abbey Road:

With their tight harmonies, flawless note for note renditions of Beatles hits, custom–tailored costumes, vintage instruments, Liverpudlian dialect and precise attention to every detail, Abbey Road – A Tribute to the Beatles has honed their show to become one of the most musically and visually satisfying Beatle tribute acts in the world.  Abbey Road recreates the magic, music, wit and charm of the Beatles, including the Fab Four’s cheeky personalities, familiar onstage banter and patter between songs.The musicians in the band are between 22 - 33 years of age and are age appropriate for the original artists when the Beatles were playing.

 

“The show delivers!” said the L.A. Times. “If you see one tribute show, see this one – smart and loads of fun,” said the O.C. Register. “This is the ticket for you,” said the Idaho Statesman. Abbey Road headlined Beatles Festival 2010 and headlined Knott's Berry Farm on New Year's Eve.

 

The musicians in Abbey Road also perform in a nationally-touring Beatles musical called "In My Life", which played to a sold out crowd at the Canyon Theatre Guild in May of this year."In My Life" traces the trajectory of The Beatles, seen through the eyes of their manager, Brian Epstein. With multimedia projections, elaborate costume changes and classic Beatles hits, the show conjures the nostalgia of one of the most popular bands in rock's history and is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.

Three costume changes cover the full range of the Beatle experience and beyond, with authentic early black Beatle suits, Sgt. Pepper’s regalia and Abbey Road attire. Hear the piccolo trumpet solo on Penny Lane and the full orchestration of A Day in the Life. Relive the emotional intensity of Paul’s moving Yesterday solo, as well as the high energy of stadium songs like Twist and Shout and other Beatle hits.

And some additional information about manager Tom Maher:

The band is managed by Tom Maher, who was part of the management team for such world class acts Guns N' Roses, Slash, Blind Melon, Zakk Wylde, Danzig, Leon Russell, John Jorgenson and My Little Funhouse.  Maher is still currently in management for  Motorhead, Anthrax, Puddle of Mud, Sepultara, Zebrahead,  My Vitriol, as well as up and comers Orange, the UK's Obsessive Compulsive, and Finland's Icon Crash.

 

 

BEATLES BIOGRAPHY SHOW RETURNS TO FRESNO OCT. 20

In My Life, a musical retelling of the Beatles history, performs at Tower Theatre

FRESNO, CA (10/12/2012) In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is the award winning, smash hit musical biography of the Beatles as seen through the eyes of their manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road.  The musical performed in February 2011 at Warnor's Theatre in Fresno and plays at Tower Theatre on Saturday, October 20. The Buchanan High School String Quartet plays three ballads with the cast. This family friendly musical tale is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades.

                         

The cast members are age appropriate for the Beatles (21 – 32 years of age) and are played by Edan Freiberger ("Brian Epstein") Chris Paul Overall (“Paul”), Gregory Wilmot (“John”), Jesse Wilder (“George”), and  Axel Clarke (“Ringo”).

                              

Question: Why a story about the Beatles?

Overall:  The Beatles still sell as many records as any current band and people are interested in their history. We try to tell the Fab Four's story from their point of view.

Wilder: The appeal of the Beatles is timeless and cross-generational. Grandparents bring their grand kids to our shows and they all know the words to every song we play.

Clarke: The Beatles only performed live concerts for a couple years in America, so this gives people an opportunity to revisit their inner teenagers for a couple hours.

Question: What can people expect when they come out to the show?

Wilder: In My Life is more than a typical Beatles tribute concert. The show is a theatrical production with a storyline, dialogue, multi-media and costume changes. And we play 33 Beatles hits live.

Clarke: The show allows the audience to “be there” during important events of the Beatles - the Cavern Club, the Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium, Abbey Road studios and the top of the Apple Corp building for the Beatles final live performance.

Overall: And we take a 15 minute break in the middle of the show to grow mustaches and long hair. It's really quite remarkable.   

Question: Edan, what do you like about portraying Beatles manager Brian Epstein?

Freiberger: I love the challenge of playing him. Epstein was so urbane and polished in public, yet so conflicted in his personal life.

Question: What's the best part of playing a Beatle?

Overall: I love to see the reaction on people's faces when they hear the first few chords of a song. Their faces light up. You can tell people are transported back to a happy time in their lives.

Clarke: None of the cast were born when the Beatles broke up and we are all huge Beatles fans, so we get to connect with people who experienced Beatlemania first hand.

Wilder: And we get to play the greatest music ever written.

In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The Buchanan High School String Quartet will accompany the touring musicians on three ballads. The multi-media musical plays at Tower Theatre on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $29/$39 and may be purchased online at www.towertheatrefresno.com or phoning 559. 485.9050 or going to the box office Monday - Friday between 10 am and 5 pm at the corner of Olive and Weshon. Tower Theatre is located at 815 East Olive Avenue in Fresno 93728.

Smash hit musical is a retelling of Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and features renowned tribute band, Abbey Road; Buchanan HS String Quartet performs with show

FRESNO, CA (10/09/2012) Almost everyone knows that The Beatles are one of the most acclaimed bands in rock and roll history because their music has the hypnotic qualities that make teenage girls scream and artists today and yesterday cite them as one of their influences.

While many of us don’t have the opportunity to see the two surviving Beatles Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr live in concert these days, the closest thing to watching an actual Beatles concert will be In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles October 20 at the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts at 7:30 pm. The multi-media musical is family friendly and the Buchanan High School String Quartet from Clovis will accompany the touring musicians on stage with three songs. 

You mean just another tribute band? No, because not all tribute bands are alike.

This one portrays the Beatles—John Lennon (Gregory Wilmot), Paul McCartney (Christopher Overall), George Harrison (Jesse Wilder) and Ringo Starr (Axel Clark)—as authentically as possible, from their singing to the myriad of guitars used throughout the band’s decade-long career. Listening to songs like “Penny Lane” or “I Want To Hold Your Hand” from this tribute band is almost like listening to the original icons themselves.  The cast members are age appropriate for the Beatles, between 22 - 32 years of age.

While the great repertoire of songs bind this musical together, the audience also gets the opportunity to relive the most important moments of The Beatles’ epic legacy, which spans the entire 1960s period. The actors that portray the band members connect with the crowd through their lovable sense of humors and cheeky banter.

As one watches The Beatles progress throughout that decade, the band's manager Brian Epstein (Edan Freiberger) makes his presence known throughout the musical, narrating his side of the story starting from his discovery of the Fab Four at the Cavern Club in Liverpool up until after the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Epstein plays a very important role in this show, not only because he was the man who discovered the group, but he also influenced their personal touch with audiences and, of course, their fashion sense. Who could forget the image of the four dressed up in suits on their arrival at New York’s JFK Airport in 1964?

As one watches The Beatles progress throughout that decade, the band's manager Brian Epstein (Edan Freiberger) makes his presence known throughout the musical, narrating his side of the story starting from his discovery of the Fab Four at the Cavern Club in Liverpool up until after the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Epstein plays a very important role in this show, not only because he was the man who discovered the group, but he also influenced their personal touch with audiences and, of course, their fashion sense. Who could forget the image of the four dressed up in suits on their arrival at New York’s JFK Airport in 1964?

This show is not just about reliving the breakthrough Ed Sullivan Show performance on February 9, 1964 that 78 million people watched on television, or reviving their deafening and packed Shea Stadium concert in 1965, it also touches on the band’s intimate moments in the recording studio. The audience observes the four in the studio as they struggle to reconcile their creative differences after Epstein’s death in 1967, a couple months after the release of Sgt. Pepper.

 

As for inspiration for the musical, Tom Maher, one of the co-producers alongside Andy Nagle, said that a friend gave him a biography on Epstein, which was the basis of the “In My Life” musical.

“It took a while to get the pacing, but we are happy with the results,” Maher said.

Maher added that he wanted to make the portrayal as accurate as possible, with the band using the exact gear from the box amps to the guitars. Even the costumes they used throughout the performance—from the suits to the ensembles they wore during their Sgt. Pepper’s period—mirror the originals designs.

More than just a Beatles tribute concert, In My Life gives the audience a chance to “be there” at pivotal moments in the extraordinary career of the Beatles: Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, The Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium, Abbey Road Studios and the final live performance on the rooftop of their Apple Corp offices. With manager Brian Epstein serving as narrator, In My Life allows the audience to get a glimpse inside the world of the Beatles from their point of view, as well as hear some of the greatest songs ever written. Historical settings such as the Cavern Club are established on stage with videos and images which play behind the actors and musicians on a a video screen. The show performed at Warnor's Theatre in Fresno in January of 2011.

Four Beatles tribute musicians and actors were cast to portray the Fab Four in the musical.  With their tight harmonies, flawless renditions, custom–tailored costumes, vintage instruments, Liverpudlian dialect and precise attention to detail, they recreate the magic of the Beatles, including the Fab Four’s cheeky personalities and familiar onstage banter. In My Life takes the audience back to February 1964 when America watched the Beatles for the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show, playing “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” Progressing through their various musical stages, the audience re-experiences the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the creation of the haunting “Blackbird” and the raucous rock and roll of “Revolution.”

The San Diego Theatre Review called the show "the most original of all Beatles shows" and a "flat out great show!". The Los Angeles Times said "the show delivers," and the Idaho Statesman said "this is the ticket for you!"

The Buchanan High School String Quartet will perform "Imagine" and "Eleanor Rigby" with the Beatles musicians. The musical reenacts a scene when Paul McCartney played "Yesterday" for the first time in studio for Beatles' producer George Martin, explaining that the song came to McCartney fully composed in his sleep and that he envisioned a string quartet accompaniment. During this scene, the quartet joins the musician portraying McCartney to perform the song.

The quartet is made up of Tina Liang (first violin), Derek Zhang (second violin), Sean Calinao (viola) and Victoria Arias (cello). The quartet will also perform with the Beatles musicians on the February 19 "Good Day" morning television show on KMPH Fox. The students perform locally at weddings and other events as the "High Strung String Quintet" and may be reached at 997 0065 or heidifranklin@cusd.org.

CALENDAR LISTING:

In My Life - A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles is the award-winning musical biography of the Beatles through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein and featuring the live music of renowned tribute band, Abbey Road. The show is widely considered by industry insiders to be the most unique Beatles show in decades. The Buchanan High School String Quartet will accompany the touring musicians on three ballads. The multi-media musical plays at Tower Theatre on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m.Tickets are $29/$39 and may be purchased online at www.towertheatrefresno.com or phoning 559. 485.9050 or going to the box office Monday - Friday between 10 am and 5 pm at the corner of Olive and Weshon. Tower Theatre is located at 815 East Olive Avenue in Fresno 93728.