When it comes to favorite musical artists, IML readers are an eclectic bunch. You've filled the YSI boards with messages about everyone from recent pop sensations Justin Bieber and Ke$ha to older, edgier bands like Nirvana, Green Day, and Foo Fighters. But many of you share one band in common: The Beatles.
In the early 1960s, the British quartet of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr revolutionized pop and rock music, songwriting, and the entire concept of fame and celebrity. Even after the group split up in 1970, their music and legacy lived on, influencing nearly all musicians who came after them.
Today, it seems as if the Beatles are just as big as they ever were. "The Beatles Rock Band" video game is a smash-hit best seller with kids and grown-ups alike. Beatles films like "A Hard Day's Night" and "Yellow Submarine" remain incredibly popular, and Beatles t-shirts, posters, and lunch boxes can be found in thousands of shops all over the world. And just this week, Apple's announcement that Beatles music will finally be available on iTunes caused a sensation among fans hungry for MP3s of all their favorite Fab Four songs.
Sadly, the Beatles will never again play together, as only two (Paul and Ringo) remain with us. But the desire among fans of all ages to see Beatles music performed live has led to a worldwide industry of sound-alike or "tribute" bands who can offer audiences the next best thing to a real Beatles concert.
At the top of the heap of these groups is RAIN, who recently began a run on Broadway and will continue with a tour across North America through the spring of 2011. More than just a concert, "RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles" is a multimedia message of love for Beatles fans, covering the Liverpool group's entire career together and incorporating film clips, projection effects, and a swirling, dazzling light show that makes the most of the amazing songs. IML recently saw the show, and here's what we liked:
All Ages: Some shows appeal to a select audience or specific age group, but RAIN is for everyone. The theater was filled with older folks (likely original Beatles fans), young kids, and everybody in between.
Attention to Detail: The costumes, the wigs, the instruments, the singing...there's nothing about this show that isn't spot-on and utterly convincing. The four actor/musicians portraying the Beatles take their jobs seriously and do an incredible job of making the audience believe they might just be watching the real thing. They even shot remakes of classic Beatles news clips that play during the breaks! Of course, for all their professionalism, the guys also seem to be having a great time with their roles.
Not just the Hits: The audience was thrilled to sing along with all the big Beatles number-one hits, but there were some unexpected song choices too. We particularly liked the acoustic set which featured quieter, more contemplative songs like the sweet, melodic "Mother Nature's Son."
A Happy Audience: If the surest way to judge a show is by audience reaction, then RAIN is a huge success. Kids and adults spent much of the show clapping, dancing, cheering, and screaming, seemingly swept up in old-style "Beatlemania." IML admits it: we got caught up in the spirit too, and shouted the lyrics to many of our favorite songs.
We were happy for the chance to chat with Steve Landes, who plays the role of John Lennon in RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles."
IML: We really enjoyed the show! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. What part of the show is the most fun to perform? What aspect is the most challenging?
Steve: As a Beatles fan, it's fun to recreate some of the actual moments of their career, that we do, like the Ed Sullivan show and the Shea Stadium concert. I've watched the videos of those shows a million times, and now I get to put myself in those moments, in a sense, so that's fun!
I think the biggest challenge of sounding like The Beatles is getting the vocals just right. Each Beatle was a really good singer, especially Paul and John, so to replicate as accurately as possible their vocals from the recordings, exactly the same way every night, is quite a challenge. But it's something we've worked very hard at over the years, and we came into this as professional musicians and classically tRAINed vocalists, so I think we've got a pretty good handle on it!
IML: Is it hard to get into, and then back out of, the John persona?
Steve: Again, I've been doing this for so long (I joined RAIN in 1998), so it's kind of easy now, and it's not like we're 'method' actors or anything like that -- we don't believe we're The Beatles or anything! You won't see us out and about pretending to be them 24/7!! As far as getting his character down, though, it's a matter of learning all I can about him -- his life story, why he did the things he did, thought the things he thought, and learning how to bring that to life onstage. Of course, there are the physical traits, too -- the body language, his way of moving, performing, etc., that help turn me into him onstage!
IML: How did you become a part of the RAIN band and show?
Steve: I was in the touring version of the Broadway show "Beatlemania" years ago, so I kind of knew these guys (they were a part of the "Beatlemania" show before I got in). So, years later, when they needed someone new to portray John, I was one of the people they called to try out. And we all just kinda "clicked" musically and personality-wise.
IML: Have you had any favorite moments interacting with fans?
Steve: I always love to meet fellow Beatles fans -- hardcore Beatle-geeks like myself! Sometimes people will want to call me John or whatever, which I don't mind, but for the most part, people are understanding and just love the music, and are happy that they get to come and hear this great music performed live, so it's nice to chat with them about that sorta stuff after the show.
IML: What kinds of things were you interested in when you were in middle school and high school? Did you always love music?
Steve: I always loved music, and I always loved The Beatles. I was born after The Beatles' time, so I'm what they call a 'second-generation' Beatles fan. I learned about them from my parents, and my older sisters. So they've always been a part of my life. By the time I was in middle and high school, I was playing music and singing in a local Top 40 band, playing the songs that were popular at the time, but we also played some Beatles songs too. I was also into other things in school, of course -- acting, cars, girls! The usual, I guess, but music was always what I wanted to do with my life.
IML: When you take off the costumes and make-up and wigs, do you still resemble John Lennon? Do people come up to you in the street and say, "Hey, you look like a Beatle!"?
Steve: I guess some people might think so a bit, but I don't see it -- I always see me. The main focus of our show has always been replicating the music live, as authentically as possible, and the look-alike factor is secondary, so I'm sure there are probably people out there in the world who might look more like John Lennon, but it's all about being a top-grade singer and musician, and having the ability to recreate his character and music in our show.
IML: What do you do when you're not a part of RAIN? Do you play in other groups?
Steve: We travel all the time, so there's no time for me to have another group. But I write my own music, record it, and then put it up online, so that's a great way to share my own music and still be on the road with RAIN. I live in California , so there's lots to do when I'm not on the road -- movies, the beach, Disneyland ! There's just never enough time to do everything.
IML: If all four Beatles were still with us, do you think there would have been a reunion by now?
Steve: A lot of people don't realize that The Beatles were planning to reunite at the time of John's death. Their business manager Neil Aspinall had been working on an official documentary, which at the time he called "The Long And Winding Road." They have stated that the four of them planned to reunite for the project, so that they could sit together for a series of interviews for it. The project did finally get made, in the '90s, as "The Beatles: Anthology," and the three remaining Beatles Paul, George, and Ringo did the interviews that John would have been a part of.
IML: What contemporary bands or musicians do you like?
Steve: Oh, I like a little bit of everything. I still listen to The Beatles, of course, but I like the bands that they've influenced in one way or another. I like Green Day, who are big Beatles fans. I like John Mayer, Kings Of Leon, Taylor Swift, Neil Finn, Cee Lo. A bit of every style, I think, as long as it's good!
IML: Any advice for young people who want to be musicians or stage performers?
Steve: Never give up! Keep practicing -- it's the only way to get better. But don't lose sight of the outside world. As an artist, you have to connect with the world around you, or you've got nothing to inspire you. Learn from everything and everyone, good or bad. It's just as important to learn what not to do, as well as what to do, in art, in life.
IML: Thanks, Steve! Good luck with the tour!
RAIN are: Joey Curatolo (Paul), Joe Bithorn (George), Ralph Castelli (Ringo), and Steve Landes (John). For more on "RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles," visit www.RAINtribute.com.
In the early 1960s, the British quartet of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr revolutionized pop and rock music, songwriting, and the entire concept of fame and celebrity. Even after the group split up in 1970, their music and legacy lived on, influencing nearly all musicians who came after them.
Today, it seems as if the Beatles are just as big as they ever were. "The Beatles Rock Band" video game is a smash-hit best seller with kids and grown-ups alike. Beatles films like "A Hard Day's Night" and "Yellow Submarine" remain incredibly popular, and Beatles t-shirts, posters, and lunch boxes can be found in thousands of shops all over the world. And just this week, Apple's announcement that Beatles music will finally be available on iTunes caused a sensation among fans hungry for MP3s of all their favorite Fab Four songs.
Sadly, the Beatles will never again play together, as only two (Paul and Ringo) remain with us. But the desire among fans of all ages to see Beatles music performed live has led to a worldwide industry of sound-alike or "tribute" bands who can offer audiences the next best thing to a real Beatles concert.
At the top of the heap of these groups is RAIN, who recently began a run on Broadway and will continue with a tour across North America through the spring of 2011. More than just a concert, "RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles" is a multimedia message of love for Beatles fans, covering the Liverpool group's entire career together and incorporating film clips, projection effects, and a swirling, dazzling light show that makes the most of the amazing songs. IML recently saw the show, and here's what we liked:All Ages: Some shows appeal to a select audience or specific age group, but RAIN is for everyone. The theater was filled with older folks (likely original Beatles fans), young kids, and everybody in between.
Attention to Detail: The costumes, the wigs, the instruments, the singing...there's nothing about this show that isn't spot-on and utterly convincing. The four actor/musicians portraying the Beatles take their jobs seriously and do an incredible job of making the audience believe they might just be watching the real thing. They even shot remakes of classic Beatles news clips that play during the breaks! Of course, for all their professionalism, the guys also seem to be having a great time with their roles.Not just the Hits: The audience was thrilled to sing along with all the big Beatles number-one hits, but there were some unexpected song choices too. We particularly liked the acoustic set which featured quieter, more contemplative songs like the sweet, melodic "Mother Nature's Son."
A Happy Audience: If the surest way to judge a show is by audience reaction, then RAIN is a huge success. Kids and adults spent much of the show clapping, dancing, cheering, and screaming, seemingly swept up in old-style "Beatlemania." IML admits it: we got caught up in the spirit too, and shouted the lyrics to many of our favorite songs.
We were happy for the chance to chat with Steve Landes, who plays the role of John Lennon in RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles."
IML: We really enjoyed the show! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. What part of the show is the most fun to perform? What aspect is the most challenging?
Steve: As a Beatles fan, it's fun to recreate some of the actual moments of their career, that we do, like the Ed Sullivan show and the Shea Stadium concert. I've watched the videos of those shows a million times, and now I get to put myself in those moments, in a sense, so that's fun!
I think the biggest challenge of sounding like The Beatles is getting the vocals just right. Each Beatle was a really good singer, especially Paul and John, so to replicate as accurately as possible their vocals from the recordings, exactly the same way every night, is quite a challenge. But it's something we've worked very hard at over the years, and we came into this as professional musicians and classically tRAINed vocalists, so I think we've got a pretty good handle on it!
IML: Is it hard to get into, and then back out of, the John persona?Steve: Again, I've been doing this for so long (I joined RAIN in 1998), so it's kind of easy now, and it's not like we're 'method' actors or anything like that -- we don't believe we're The Beatles or anything! You won't see us out and about pretending to be them 24/7!! As far as getting his character down, though, it's a matter of learning all I can about him -- his life story, why he did the things he did, thought the things he thought, and learning how to bring that to life onstage. Of course, there are the physical traits, too -- the body language, his way of moving, performing, etc., that help turn me into him onstage!
IML: How did you become a part of the RAIN band and show?
Steve: I was in the touring version of the Broadway show "Beatlemania" years ago, so I kind of knew these guys (they were a part of the "Beatlemania" show before I got in). So, years later, when they needed someone new to portray John, I was one of the people they called to try out. And we all just kinda "clicked" musically and personality-wise.
IML: Have you had any favorite moments interacting with fans?
Steve: I always love to meet fellow Beatles fans -- hardcore Beatle-geeks like myself! Sometimes people will want to call me John or whatever, which I don't mind, but for the most part, people are understanding and just love the music, and are happy that they get to come and hear this great music performed live, so it's nice to chat with them about that sorta stuff after the show.
IML: What kinds of things were you interested in when you were in middle school and high school? Did you always love music?
Steve: I always loved music, and I always loved The Beatles. I was born after The Beatles' time, so I'm what they call a 'second-generation' Beatles fan. I learned about them from my parents, and my older sisters. So they've always been a part of my life. By the time I was in middle and high school, I was playing music and singing in a local Top 40 band, playing the songs that were popular at the time, but we also played some Beatles songs too. I was also into other things in school, of course -- acting, cars, girls! The usual, I guess, but music was always what I wanted to do with my life.
IML: When you take off the costumes and make-up and wigs, do you still resemble John Lennon? Do people come up to you in the street and say, "Hey, you look like a Beatle!"?
Steve: I guess some people might think so a bit, but I don't see it -- I always see me. The main focus of our show has always been replicating the music live, as authentically as possible, and the look-alike factor is secondary, so I'm sure there are probably people out there in the world who might look more like John Lennon, but it's all about being a top-grade singer and musician, and having the ability to recreate his character and music in our show.
IML: What do you do when you're not a part of RAIN? Do you play in other groups?
Steve: We travel all the time, so there's no time for me to have another group. But I write my own music, record it, and then put it up online, so that's a great way to share my own music and still be on the road with RAIN. I live in California , so there's lots to do when I'm not on the road -- movies, the beach, Disneyland ! There's just never enough time to do everything.
IML: If all four Beatles were still with us, do you think there would have been a reunion by now?
Steve: A lot of people don't realize that The Beatles were planning to reunite at the time of John's death. Their business manager Neil Aspinall had been working on an official documentary, which at the time he called "The Long And Winding Road." They have stated that the four of them planned to reunite for the project, so that they could sit together for a series of interviews for it. The project did finally get made, in the '90s, as "The Beatles: Anthology," and the three remaining Beatles Paul, George, and Ringo did the interviews that John would have been a part of.
IML: What contemporary bands or musicians do you like?
Steve: Oh, I like a little bit of everything. I still listen to The Beatles, of course, but I like the bands that they've influenced in one way or another. I like Green Day, who are big Beatles fans. I like John Mayer, Kings Of Leon, Taylor Swift, Neil Finn, Cee Lo. A bit of every style, I think, as long as it's good!
IML: Any advice for young people who want to be musicians or stage performers?
Steve: Never give up! Keep practicing -- it's the only way to get better. But don't lose sight of the outside world. As an artist, you have to connect with the world around you, or you've got nothing to inspire you. Learn from everything and everyone, good or bad. It's just as important to learn what not to do, as well as what to do, in art, in life.
IML: Thanks, Steve! Good luck with the tour!
RAIN are: Joey Curatolo (Paul), Joe Bithorn (George), Ralph Castelli (Ringo), and Steve Landes (John). For more on "RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles," visit www.RAINtribute.com.
