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A Magical History Tour

The Mersey Beatles
Yesterday...
...Today
In Liverpool Town Hall
January 2009
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.

The Mersey Beatles in Pisa


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.

Brian on the Cavern stage

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...)

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

Mark at the Cavern
Dave in Malaysia
Steven in Norway
Brian in Germany
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.

The Cavern promo photo

2001: First gig at The Cavern Club.


2002:
Became The Cavern Club's resident band.

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.

Dave in Malaysia


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

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.

The Beatles stamps launch party - Click here for a larger image
Recreating the zebra crossing shot

On the Beatles Story's replica Cavern stage at the Royal Mail stamp launch.
PICTURE: Liverpool Echo
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!

Sgt Pepper album photo

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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line of guitars