The Fab Four (tribute)
Encyclopedia
The Fab Four is a California-based tribute band
paying homage to The Beatles
. Founded in 1997 by Ron McNeil, John Lennon
impersonator and President of The Fab Four Corp., the group began performing Beatles music throughout Southern California. The band’s beginning included regular performances at Disneyland
's Tomorrowland Terrace
, The Hop and Scruffy O’Sheas.
The original group, which includes McNeil, along with Ardy Sarraf, Rolo Sandoval and Michael Amador, have performed together as The Fab Four for the past 12 years, covering nearly the entire Beatles songbook, plus solo material as well.
In 2005, The Fab Four signed a contract in Las Vegas
to perform a full stage show six nights a week. It was then decided that a second set of musicians would be brought in to form another cast that could be in Vegas or rotated on the road when needed. This second, or, Vegas cast was then given the name Fab Four Mania, and has been performing regularly in Sin City for the past four years at locations such as the Las Vegas Hilton
, The Aladdin, The Sahara and most recently The Riviera.
This tribute has brought the music of The Beatles to many places including Japan, Malaysia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.
tribute act that covers many of McCartney's biggest, post-Beatles hits. The band features Ron McNeil, Michael Amador and Rolo Sandoval, plus a horns section led by Wendell Kelly (who has performed with many music acts, including The Temptations
, Stevie Wonder
, Lionel Richie
and Whitney Houston
, to name a few), and singer/songwriter Christine Rosander as Linda McCartney. Both Laurence Juber
, Wings guitarist from 1978–1981, and Denny Seiwell, the original Wings drummer from 1971–1973, have performed onstage with Wingsband at The Grove in Anaheim, CA.
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 tribute show held on Harrison’s birthday.
from the British comedy group Monty Python
, to perform a set of shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Rutles
, which was 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 and New York.
' 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" did terribly in the box office and critics reviews of Zemeckis' animations were mostly negative.
All songs were arranged, performed, recorded and produced by The Fab Four, and were mastered
by Evren Goknar at Capitol Studios
in Hollywood, CA.
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
Tribute band
A tribute act is a music group, singer, or musician who specifically plays the music of a well-known music act - sometimes one which has disbanded, ceased touring or is deceased. Probably the largest class of tributes acts are Elvis impersonators, individual performers who mimic the songs and style...
paying homage to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. Founded in 1997 by Ron McNeil, John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
impersonator and President of The Fab Four Corp., the group began performing Beatles music throughout Southern California. The band’s beginning included regular performances at Disneyland
Disneyland Park (Anaheim)
Disneyland Park is a theme park located in Anaheim, California, owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts division of the Walt Disney Company. Known as Disneyland when it opened on July 18, 1955, and still almost universally referred to by that name, it is the only theme park to be...
's Tomorrowland Terrace
Tomorrowland Terrace
Tomorrowland Terrace is a restaurant located in Tomorrowland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California that is notable for its unique concert stage, which hydraulically rises out of the ground. It opened with the new Tomorrowland in 1967...
, The Hop and Scruffy O’Sheas.
The original group, which includes McNeil, along with Ardy Sarraf, Rolo Sandoval and Michael Amador, have performed together as The Fab Four for the past 12 years, covering nearly the entire Beatles songbook, plus solo material as well.
In 2005, The Fab Four signed a contract in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
to perform a full stage show six nights a week. It was then decided that a second set of musicians would be brought in to form another cast that could be in Vegas or rotated on the road when needed. This second, or, Vegas cast was then given the name Fab Four Mania, and has been performing regularly in Sin City for the past four years at locations such as the Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent...
, The Aladdin, The Sahara and most recently The Riviera.
This tribute has brought the music of The Beatles to many places including Japan, Malaysia, France, Hong Kong, The United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico and Brazil.
Cast members
- Ron McNeil - John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
- Frank Canino - John Lennon
- Gilbert Bonilla - John Lennon
- Tyson Kelly - John Lennon
- Ardy Sarraf - Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
- Frank Mendonca III - Paul McCartney
- Michael Amador - George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
- Gavin Pring - George Harrison
- Rolo Sandoval - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
- Joe Bologna - Ringo Starr
- Luis Renteria - Ringo Starr
- Erik Fidel - Ringo Starr
Wingsband
Formed by Ardy Sarraf, Wingsband is a Paul McCartney and WingsWings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
tribute act that covers many of McCartney's biggest, post-Beatles hits. The band features Ron McNeil, Michael Amador and Rolo Sandoval, plus a horns section led by Wendell Kelly (who has performed with many music acts, including The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
and Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, to name a few), and singer/songwriter Christine Rosander as Linda McCartney. Both Laurence Juber
Laurence Juber
Laurence Juber is an English-born guitarist who currently lives in California. Born 12 November 1952 in Stepney, East London, he was raised and went to school in North London...
, Wings guitarist from 1978–1981, and Denny Seiwell, the original Wings drummer from 1971–1973, have performed onstage with Wingsband at The Grove in Anaheim, CA.
George Harry’s Son
George Harrison impersonator and Liverpool native, Gavin Pring, created an 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 LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
at the Mathew Street Festival
Mathew Street Festival
The Liverpool Mathew Street Music Festival is a free music festival held annually in Liverpool, with Mathew Street as its central attraction.-Description:It is also the largest annual free music festival in Europe...
and Abbey Road on the River
Abbey Road on the River
Abbey Road on the River is a five-day, multi-stage music festival honoring the music and spirit of The Beatles. The festival takes place in Louisville, Kentucky over the Memorial Day weekend. An East Coast version has taken place once to date - in 2010 in the Washington, D.C. area...
in the United States. Pring also performed on the same stage as Paul McCartney in 2002 for tribute show held on Harrison’s birthday.
Rutlemania
In 2007, The Fab Four was approached by Eric IdleEric Idle
Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer. He was as a member of the British comedy group Monty Python, a member of the The Rutles on Saturday Night Live and author of the play, Spamalot....
from the British comedy group Monty Python
Monty Python
Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group who created their influential Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series...
, to perform a set of shows celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Rutles
The Rutles
The Rutles are a band that are known for their visual and aural pastiches and parodies of The Beatles. Originally created by Eric Idle and Neil Innes as a fictional band to be featured as part of various 1970s television programming, the group recorded, toured, and released two UK chart hits in...
, which was a Beatles parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
group formed in 1975 by Idle and Neil Innes
Neil Innes
Neil James Innes is an English writer and performer of comic songs, best known for his collaborative work with Monty Python, and for playing in the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and later The Rutles.-Personal life:...
. The show featured McNeil as Ron Nasty (originally played by Innes), Sarraf as Dirk McQuickly (Idle), Amador as Stig O’Hara (Ricky Fataar
Ricky Fataar
Ricky Fataar is a South African multi-instrumentalist of Malay descent, who has performed as both a drummer, and a guitarist. He gained fame as an actor in the comedic television movie, The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, a spoof on the actual history of The Beatles, and for his performance as a...
) and Sandoval as Barry Wom (John Halsey
John Halsey (musician)
John Halsey is a rock drummer, best known for his appearance as "Barry" in The Rutles, leading to his playing with Neil Innes's band Fatso and appearing in the film All You Need is Cash ....
), and was performed multiple nights in both Los Angeles and New York.
Yellow Submarine movie remake
In 2010, The Fab Four was cast to do the motion-capture performance footage for director Robert ZemeckisRobert Zemeckis
Robert Lee Zemeckis is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel Back to the Future film series, as well as the Academy Award-winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger Rabbit ,...
' 3-D remake of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
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" did terribly in the box office and critics reviews of Zemeckis' animations were mostly negative.
Notable mentions
- Featured on many TV shows including Entertainment TonightEntertainment TonightEntertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
, Good Morning AmericaGood Morning AmericaGood Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and Ellen DeGeneresThe Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
’ “ Really Big Show” in 2007. - Performed at the Madame Tussaud’sMadame TussaudsMadame Tussauds is a wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. It was founded by wax sculptor Marie Tussaud and was formerly known as "Madame Tussaud's", but the apostrophe is no longer used...
Beatles wax figureWax figureA wax sculpture is a sculpture made in wax. Often these are effigies, usually of a notable individual, but there are also death masks and scenes with many figures, mostly in relief....
unveiling when the figures were brought to Las Vegas from LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for a short exhibit. - A headlining act during LiverpoolLiverpoolLiverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
’s annual Beatleweek in both 2004 and 2008. - Held nightly shows at many venues in Las Vegas including the Las Vegas HiltonLas Vegas HiltonThe Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent...
, The Aladdin/Planet Hollywood, The Sahara and The Riviera. - Invited to be guests and perform on 95.5 KLOS / XM Channel 59 / Sirius Channel 25 during weekly “Breakfast with the BeatlesBreakfast with the BeatlesBreakfast with the Beatles is a popular programming segment format on FM radio in cities in the USA. The segment format typically features one or more hours of programing consisting exclusively of music by or related to The Beatles...
” radio show hosted by Chris Carter. - Have played at the Le Palais Des SportsPalais des Sports (Paris)Palais de Sports is an indoor sports arena, located at 1, place de la Porte de Versailles in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France. The closest métro station is Porte de Versailles....
in Paris (same venue where the Beatles played). - Performed for many celebrities including Eric IdleEric IdleEric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer. He was as a member of the British comedy group Monty Python, a member of the The Rutles on Saturday Night Live and author of the play, Spamalot....
, Paul StanleyPaul StanleyStanley Harvey Eisen , better known by his stage name Paul Stanley, is an American hard rock guitarist, singer, musician, painter and songwriter best known for being the rhythm guitarist and primary lead vocalist of the rock band Kiss. He is the writer or co-writer of many of the band's...
from KISSKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Mark Hudson (Ringo Starr producer), Tom HanksTom HanksThomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
and Mark Stansbury (#1 fan). - Named the official Beatles tribute of K-Earth 101.
- Played the “A Hard Day’s NightA Hard Day's Night (film)A Hard Day's Night is a 1964 British black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Lester and starring The Beatles—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr—during the height of Beatlemania. It was written by Alun Owen and originally released by United Artists...
” DVD release at the House of BluesHouse of BluesHouse of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. - Performed at the Hollywood BowlHollywood BowlThe Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
for the 37th anniversary of the Beatles’ concert. - Recorded Beatles tracks "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "Please Please Me" and "Kansas City" that were featured on The Linda McCartney StoryThe Linda McCartney StoryThe Linda McCartney Story is a 2000 American drama television film directed by Armand Mastroianni, starring Elizabeth Mitchell and Gary Bakewell. Based on the book Linda McCartney: The Biography, presenting the life story of Linda McCartney...
.
Discography
- Ron McNeil – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica
- Ardy Sarraf – Vocals, Bass, Keyboards
- Michael Amador – Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Sitar
- Rolo Sandoval – Vocals, Drums, Percussion
All songs were arranged, performed, recorded and produced by The Fab Four, and were mastered
Audio mastering
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
by Evren Goknar at Capitol Studios
Capitol Studios
The Capitol Studios complex opened in the Capitol Records Building, a futuristic new building in the heart of Hollywood, in 1956. It has since hosted some of the most treasured recordings in music history, from Frank Sinatra to the Beastie Boys. It is owned by Capitol Records whose parent company...
in Hollywood, CA.
A Fab Four Christmas: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute, Vol. 1
Release Date - October 16, 2002Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Fab Four, Marks, Johnny
- Joy to the World - The Fab Four, Mason, Lowell
- Feliz Navidad - The Fab Four, Public Domain
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - The Fab Four, Mendelssohn, Felix
- Away in a Manger - The Fab Four, Traditional
- Good King Wenceslas - The Fab Four, Neale, John M.
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - The Fab Four, Sears, Edmund Hamil
- Winter Wonderland - The Fab Four, Bernard, Felix
- Frosty the Snowman - The Fab Four, Nelson, Steve [2] E
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - The Fab Four, Styne, Jule
Have Yourself a FAB-ulous Little Christmas
Release Date - October 16, 2002Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - The Fab Four, Coots, J. Fred
- Silent Night - The Fab Four, Gruber, Franz
- The Christmas Song - The Fab Four, Torme, Mel
- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Fab Four, Traditional
- The Little Drummer Boy - The Fab Four, Davis, Katherine
- Dear Santa - The Fab Four, Hudson, Mark
- What Child Is This? - The Fab Four, Dix, William Chatte
- Blue Christmas - The Fab Four, Hayes, Bill
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - The Fab Four, Marks, Johnny
- Jingle Bells - The Fab Four, Pierpont, J.S.