A
Magical History Tour
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Yesterday... |
...Today |
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The
first working line-up |
The
current line-up |
In
The Beginning
The
Mersey Beatles formed in
Liverpool in 1999 when school friends Steven Howard, Brian Ambrose
and Mark Bloor got together to form a tribute to their favourite
band, The Beatles.
In the early weeks Jason Murray, a former band mate of Steven,
took on the role of George. This foursome was still at the rehearsal
stage when Mark decided he wasn't ready to be in a full time working
tribute band. Even before their first gig the band was transforming.
To
find out how Mark would return to the part 10 years later, read
on...
Jason decided he didn't want to be "the quiet one,"
and preferred to try for the part of John. This left the band
with no-one to play George. Steven's cousin Dave Howard was asked
to try out for "George", at the age of just 17 he was
a revelation in the part.
Apart
from a brief break for Dave in 2005, this line-up remained the
same until Christmas 2008, when Jason decided to leave the band
to try new things.
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When Dave took time out in 2005 he was temporarily replaced
by friend of the band and Cavern pub manager Robbie Hughes.
LEFT:
The boys with temporary 'George', Robbie Hughes
PHOTO:
Liverpool Daily Post
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Early
Success
Like
their musical role models, the band's early performances were
around the social and cabaret clubs in their home city, including
many venues where The Beatles performed.
The buzz they created in the early days soon caught the attention
of Cavern City Tours, owners of the world famous Cavern Club and
organisers of the annual International Beatles Week. The boys
were given a Thursday night residency at The Cavern and became
the headline act at the Beatles Convention at Liverpool's Adelphi
Hotel during Beatles Week each year.
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The
Mersey Beatles
are still honoured to be playing regular Thursday nights
at
The Cavern from 10pm and are well on their way to topping
the 294 performances which The Beatles achieved at the
club. (See Gig Guide for
details).
LEFT:
Brian at the 225th Cavern performance (nearly there...)
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In
2002 news of their success at the Cavern reached Liverpool City
Council, who invited them to become the city's official tribute
band. They represent Liverpool as ambassadors for the city in
investment initiatives and concerts across Europe to this day.
They
also headline music festivals and Beatles events in Britain and
all over the world, including Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark's
Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Norway and Sweden.
On
the Road
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Mark
at the Cavern |
Dave
in Malaysia |
Steven
in Norway |
Brian
in Germany |
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10
Years Of Highlights
1999:
The
Mersey Beatles formed and played
first gigs. Auditioned for four Liverpool booking
agencies and passed all four. The booking were rolling in by
summer time and have never let up since.
2000:
Played first overseas show, in Croatia.
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2001:
First gig at The Cavern Club.
2002: Became The Cavern Club's resident band.
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Also
became ambassadors for Liverpool at the invitation of Liverpool
City Council and the Liverpool Culture Company. Played in France
and Belgium in this capacity. Invited for the first time to
play at the International Beatles Week festival, playing an
unprecedented two main stages (Victoria Street & Dale Street).
2003:
Played to a record crowd at Chavasse Park (now part of the Liverpool
One precinct) as part of the Mathew Street Festival. Also played
every song from the film "A Hard Days Night" in a
special performance at Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre as part
of Beatles Week. Also played main stage at the International
Beatles Convention for the first time.
2004:
Played three shows at the inaugural Australian Beatles Festival
in Adelaide, including Centennial Hall, the only place in Australia
left standing that The Beatles actualy played in. Sadly it was
demolished in 2007.
2005:
The Mersey Beatles
self-managed a critically acclaimed British theatre tour. They
branched out into the Sgt Pepper years and beyond. Keyboard
wiz Tony C joined to play all the extra parts from harmonica
to trumpet. (The Mersey Beatles never use backing
tapes. Everything the audience hears is played live.)
Also played Hamburg's Reeperbahn, once again following in the
footsteps of the original Fab Four. Also played many more overseas
shows including a memorable night in Pisa, Italy where a massive
crowd formed on the banks of the Arno river to hear The
Mersey Beatles perform.
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2006: Played a short tour of Malaysia, including
the Hard Rock Café, Kuala Lumpur. Also headline
act at Beatles festivals in Liverpool, Sweden, Norway,
Germany & more.
LEFT:
Dave in Malaysia
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2007:
A big year of anniversaries for Beatle fans - 50 years
since John met Paul, 50 years since the Cavern club was launched,
40 years since Brian Epstein died, 40 years since Sgt Pepper
was released.
A
year of unique
opportunities for The Mersey Beatles,
including the launch event for Royal Mail's Beatles stamps and
a live set at Abbey Road studios.
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On the Beatles Story's replica Cavern stage at the Royal
Mail stamp launch.
PICTURE: Liverpool Echo
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The
VisitBritain tourism website, invited the boys to play
at Abbey Road, the world's most famous recording studio. |
At
the world-famous Cavern Club's 50th birthday celebration,
The Mersey Beatles headlined
an impressive bill of 32 bands in a show lasting 13 hours!
To
celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper's
Lonely Hearts Club Band, the boys played every track from
the album in
full costume at
The Mojo in Manchester. They also played alongside the original
Quarrymen at Woolton Music Festival on the anniversary
of when John met Paul, and
played on board the QE2 for first time.
2008:
First full tour of Sweden. Also sailed across the Atlantic from
New York aboard the QE2 playing 2 nights.
2009: This year should see the boys overtake
The Beatles' 292 performance record at The Cavern Club. Original
choice for the part of 'John', Mark Bloor, played a very successful
debut with The Mersey Beatles
on 8th January, their 225th performance at The Cavern Club.
The
boys now have two residencies in Liverpool. The Cavern Club
on Thursdays from 10pm and The Vines, Lime Street, Sundays from
9:30pm.
There
are nine confirmed venues and dates in the Swedish tour for
2009. See Gig Guide
for details.
The
boys hope to play for the first time in Finland and mainland
Denmark, and there are also hopes for a first trip to Russia.
See
the news, gigs
and reviews pages for regular updates,
as Liverpool's
official Beatles tribute band goes from strength to strength.
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