With the recent success of “The Beatles 1” CD creating a new wave of “Beatlemania,” a new Beatles tribute band The Return gives audiences a chance to experience the phenomenon live. The Return is recognized as one of the best Beatles tribute bands in the U.S.; and is taking American public on a trip back in time.
While many lesser known groups have attempted to emulate the Beatles, you won’t have to squint your eyes at a Return concert to travel back in time. In fact, you might just actually believe it’s 1964 and you’re sitting in the original CBS Ed Sullivan Theatre or even Shea Stadium.
The lads began getting together once or twice a month to play Beatles songs exclusively. Eventually, their repertoire expanded to about 30 songs in just a few short months. It was later suggested by a fellow Griffin musician that they actually play the songs in front of people, in a live concert setting. They considered the idea and decided to give it a spin. However, if they were going to go through with it, they wanted to do it right. So they went out the following week and purchased four black suits and had them tailored to look like the Beatles’ Ed Sullivan suits.
Then they began studying live video footage of the Beatles. They also worked on perfecting the mannerisms of their individual characters. When time for their first show finally arrived, the boys were a bit nervous. But the crowd’s reaction was simply amazing! The audience danced, clapped along, and screamed from the very first count off to the very last bow! They acted as if they’d never seen or heard anything like that in their lives before. By the end of the show it was quite apparent that this was the beginning of something really big.
Besides an uncanny resemblance each member has to his original counterpart, the peculiar stance Lennon took in front of a microphone, the way Harrison strapped on his Gretsch Country Gentleman guitar, the famous head bounce Ringo kept time with, and even a left handed McCartney on an original Hofner violin bass, The Return brings exceptional musical and vocal skills to each performance.
So impressive is the look and sound of the group, that shows are selling out everywhere they perform. Even the hysteria of screaming girls is as deafening as it was during the height of “Beatlemania.”
Every detail from the Beatles early live performance years has been studied and carefully recreated. From the mop top haircuts and English tailored suits, to the actual instruments and stage equipment, giving new audiences and many older fans a performance they never actually witnessed.
The Return, recognized as one of the premier Beatles tribute bands in America, currently contains the youngest lineup of superb musicians paying tribute to the legendary group. Young Hines (24) as John Lennon, Shane Landers (25) as Paul McCartney, Michael Fulop (23) as George Harrison, and Adam Thurston (23) as Ringo Starr are considered by many critics the most realistic cast paying tribute to the Fab Four.
So realistic in fact that The Return, gaining national recognition, was recently invited to appear on the ABC network television show, Good Morning America. Unfortunately, news regarding the presidential election ballot controversy in Florida forced the show’s producers to postpone the engagement.
The Return thoroughly enjoys playing in front of crowds, and it is very apparent to their fans. They hope to continue what they’ve been doing here in the U.S. throughout the entire world one day. The band’s youthfulness and energetic style, along with their authenticity, will without a doubt contribute to the achievement of an even higher level of success.
