The Fab Four | |
|---|---|
| The Fab Four The Fab Four | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | California |
| Genres | Rock and Roll Beatles Tribute |
| Years active | 1997-Present |
| Labels | Delta Ent. (Laserlight), New World Digital |
| Members | Ron McNeil Frank Canino Gilbert Bonilla Ardy Sarraf Frank Mendonca III Michael Amador Gavin Pring Rolo Sandoval Joe Balogna |
| Website | Website |
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, 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,[1] The Aladdin, The Sahara[2] and most recently The Riveira.
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
editRon McNeil - John Lennon
Frank Canino - John Lennon
Gilbert Bonilla -John Lennon
Ardy Sarraf - Paul McCartney
Frank Mendonca III - Paul McCartney
Michael Amador - George Harrison
Gavin Pring - George Harrison
Rolo Sandoval - Ringo Starr
Joe Balogna - Ringo Starr
Side Projects
editWingsband
editFormed by Ardy Sarraf, Wingsband is a Paul McCartney and Wings tribute act that covers many of Macca’s biggest, post-Beatles hits. The band features Ron McNeil, Michael Amador and Rolo Sandoval, plus a horns section led by Wendell Kelly, 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.
George Harry’s Son
editGeorge 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 Liverpool[3] 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.
Rutlemania
editIn 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, 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[4][5] and New York.[6][7]
Notable Mentions
edit• Featured on many TV shows including Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America and Ellen DeGeneres’ “Really Big Show” in 2007.[8]
• Performed at the Madame Tussaud’s Beatles wax figure unveiling when the figures were brought to Las Vegas from London for a short exhibit.
• A headlining act during Liverpool’s annual Beatleweek in both 2004 and 2008.[9]
• Held nightly shows at many venues in Las Vegas including the Las Vegas Hilton, The Aladdin/Planet Hollywod,[10] The Sahara[11] and The Riviera.
• Invited to be guests and perform on 95.5 KLOS / XM Channel 59 / Sirius Channel 25 during weekly “Breakfast with the Beatles” radio show hosted by Chris Carter.
• Have played in Carnegie Hall and at the Le Palais Des Sports in Paris (same venue where the Beatles played).
• Performed for many celebrities including Eric Idle, Paul Stanley from KISS, Mark Hudson (Ringo Starr producer) and Tom Hanks.
• Named the official Beatles tribute of K-Earth 101.
• Played the “A Hard Day’s Night” DVD release at the House of Blues in Los Angeles.
• Performed at the Hollywood Bowl for the 37th anniversary of the Beatles’ concert.[12]
• Recorded Beatles tracks "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "Please Please Me" and "Kansas City" that were featured on The Linda McCartney Story.[13]
Discography
editRon 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 by Evren Goknar at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, CA.
A Fab Four Christmas: The Ultimate Beatles Tribute, Vol. 1
editRelease Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
- 1.) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Fab Four, Marks, Johnny
- 2.) Joy to the World - The Fab Four, Mason, Lowell
- 3.) Feliz Navidad - The Fab Four, Public Domain
- 4.) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - The Fab Four, Mendelssohn, Felix
- 5.) Away in a Manger - The Fab Four, Traditional
- 6.) Good King Wenceslas - The Fab Four, Neale, John M.
- 7.) It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - The Fab Four, Sears, Edmund Hamil
- 8.) Winter Wonderland - The Fab Four, Bernard, Felix
- 9.) Frosty the Snowman - The Fab Four, Nelson, Steve [2] E
- 10.) Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - The Fab Four, Styne, Jule
Have Yourself a FAB-ulous Little Christmas
editRelease Date - October 16, 2002
Label - Delta Ent. (LaserLight)
- 1.) Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - The Fab Four, Coots, J. Fred
- 2.) Silent Night - The Fab Four, Gruber, Franz
- 3.) The Christmas Song - The Fab Four, Torme, Mel
- 4.) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - The Fab Four, Traditional
- 5.) The Little Drummer Boy - The Fab Four, Davis, Katherine
- 6.) Dear Santa - The Fab Four, Hudson, Mark
- 7.) What Child Is This? - The Fab Four, Dix, William Chatte
- 8.) Blue Christmas - The Fab Four, Hayes, Bill
- 9.) Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - The Fab Four, Marks, Johnny
- 10.) Jingle Bells - The Fab Four, Pierpont, J.S.
Hark!
editIn 2008 the songs were digitally re-mastered by Chris Capozza and released on a single album titled, “HARK!”.[14]
References
edit- ^ Zeke Quezada. "Las Vegas Hilton Theater: Entertainment Schedule". www.about.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ Heather (2008-02-08). "Fab Four Mania at the Sahara Hotel". www.thelasvegasadventurer.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ "GEORGE HARRY'S SON - A George Harrison Themed Supergroup from Liverpool". www.beatlenews.com. 2004. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Elise Thompson (2007). "Rutlemania!". www.laist.com. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Phil Gallo (2007). "Rutlemania Returns To Hollywood". www.variety.com. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Jesse Jarnow (2007). "Live: Rutlemania at the Blender Theater the Gramercy at Your Mom". www.villagevoice.com. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ Jay Lustig (2007). "Celebrating the band that celebrated the four lads from Liverpool". www.nj.com. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ "Ellen's Really Big Show". www.warnerbros.com. 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ "Liverpool Tour". www.liverpooltour.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ Mike Weatherford (2006-07-28). "'Fab Four' reminds fans of simple roots: Beatles tribute isn't as fancy as 'Love,' but still a crowd-pleaser". www.reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ Mike Weatherford (2008-01-11). "Mop Top Mania: 'Fab Four' balances authenticity with wise-cracking fun". www.reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ Michael Lisi (2003-02-12). "Fab Four re-enacts Beatles' shows word for word". www.dailygazette.com. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ "The Linda McCartney Story". www.imdb.com. 2000. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
- ^ Steve Winno (2008-12-19). "The Fab Four, the ultimate Beatles tribute band release a 20 song Christmas CD for purchase from their website". www.i-newswire.com. Retrieved 2009-01-28.