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Beatles tribute band takes audience along ‘Penny Lane' and onto ‘Yellow Submarine'
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
The songs spanned decades. The audience age spanned generations.
The Liverpool Legends, billed as the ultimate Beatles Tribute Show, packed the house Saturday in Keokuk for a second year in a fund-raiser for the Colon Cancer Alliance.
Baby boomers and older residents to young adults and children sang along with every song, smiled, laughed, clapped and swayed to the beat at the Grand Theatre, thanks to Keokuk's Natalie Porter and the advocacy of Voices of Iowa, a local chapter of the Colon Cancer Alliance.
“We were the first ones to take our seats tonight,” said Denise Samuels of Keokuk. “We didn't plan to get here early, but we drove by and saw a group of people outside the Grand at 4:45 p.m. So we decided to get in line. Everyone else turned out to be workers, but we found our seats anyway. Our goal was to not sit in the balcony.”
Denise and husband Mike attended last year's Liverpool Legends performance in Keokuk. This year they sat in the third row on the aisle of a side section.
By 6 p.m., the ground level seats at the Grand were full for the 7 p.m. show. Signs on the doors said the concert was sold out. Center seats were reserved for VIP tickets holders who paid $30 more per ticket and could attend an after-party to meet the band at the Hawkeye Restaurant. Even the box seats filled up.
“A lot of people came early last year,” said Mike. “It's a great show. It spans the Beatles' careers from the Ed Sullivan Show to the last years.”
After Saturday's two-hour concert, the Samuels said the concert was just as good as their first experience a year ago at the Grand.
“I think they played some different songs,” said Mike. “And last year, Louise was here. She spoke during intermission and answered questions. That was nice. This year was just as fun.”
Porter thanked the audience for supporting Colon Cancer Awareness.
“Voices of Iowa seeks to educate the public about colon cancer - the symptoms, the test, prevention and cure,” she said. “My father was diagnosed with colon cancer after it had already spread. The following two and a half years were difficult, expensive and full of worry.”
She asked those who know someone who has or had colon cancer to clap. A significant amount of audience members clapped.
“Colorectal cancer isn't discussed because it involves parts of the body people find embarrassing,” said Porter. “The test, a colonoscopy, isn't embarrassing or painful or scary. Having the test, which includes removing any polyps seen, can help you grow older.
“Don't ignore symptoms, My dad did. He died when he was 59. He is missed by his wife, his kids and grandkids.”
Porter said hosting the Liverpool Legends is a perfect fit because a majority of baby boomers, the Beatles' first audience, is reaching ages 50 to 60. For people without any family history of colon problems, a first colonoscopy test is recommended at 50.
“Don't wait for your doctor to ask you,” said Porter. “March is national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule a colonoscopy test.”
Porter related her first discussion with the band's manager, Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, the “quiet” Beatle.
“I contacted her to find out about booking the band last year,” said Porter. “We talked about bringing Liverpool Legends to Keokuk. She asked why I was doing this. I told her it would be a fund-raiser for colon cancer awareness. There was a long pause on the phone. Then Louise said, ‘My son has colon cancer. We've got to do this.' I still get goose bumps telling the story. It was meant to be.”
During intermission, an Ibenez guitar autographed by the four Liverpool Legends musicians, was auctioned for $900.
The show began with four mop-haired young men dashing on stage dressed in the iconic skinny black suits, white shirts and narrow black ties. With authentic and vintage guitars, Davey Justice as Paul, Marty Scott as George, Greg George as Ringo on drums and Kevin Mantegna as John, played through the early Beatles happy love songs. The musicians hit every note in voice and on instruments, bringing jubilant energy to listeners, most of whom could sing along with every word, much to their own amazement.
“Yes, I was a Beatles fan,” said Dr. Bill Davis, attending the show with wife Jean and friends Dev and Ed Kiedaisch. “I was in London in 1964 and attended the premier showing of ‘A Hard Days Night.' It was really great.”
Some audience members dressed in Beatles memorabilia, others wore Liverpool Legends merchandise. A few women wore the slouchy newsboy hats popular in 1960s England and America.
And the requisite young women with long hair sat in the front row of adoring fans, clapping and dancing, loving the sounds.
After intermission, the band returned to the stage dressed in colorful satin costumes of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Clubs Band era, taking the audience down Penny Lane.
Anyone with a birthday in March was invited up on stage to play tambourine with the band while it played “You Say It's Your Birthday.”
One more costume change showed the band members with longer hair, George in jeans and work shirt; John dressed in all white; and Paul and Ringo in more casual black suits.
“George was younger than Paul and John,” said Scott. “He came into his own later. He established his own publishing company.
“I am glad to have a fun career representing the best song writers of all time. Thank you to the person who bought the guitar. The money goes to the Colon Cancer Alliance. I'm dedicating this song to George - up there - Louise, who couldn't be here this year, and Natalie, thanks.”
He played “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
The band returned after its last set to a standing ovation and an encore.
More about Liverpool Legends, which begins seasonal Branson, Mo., shows April 1 at the Starlite Theater, can be found on their Web site www.liverpoollegends.com.
Saturday's program included the names of local doctors who perform colonoscopies - Davis, Dr. Tom Hakes and Dr. David Waddell all at the Keokuk Clinic; Dwain Stone at Tri-State Medical Group, Inc.; and Philip Caropreso at Midwest Family Medical Care; and a card with symptoms of colorectal cancer. More information also is available on the Web site www.CCAlliance.org.
At the prompting of Porter, the band promised to return to play in Keokuk again.
The Liverpool Legends, billed as the ultimate Beatles Tribute Show, packed the house Saturday in Keokuk for a second year in a fund-raiser for the Colon Cancer Alliance.
Baby boomers and older residents to young adults and children sang along with every song, smiled, laughed, clapped and swayed to the beat at the Grand Theatre, thanks to Keokuk's Natalie Porter and the advocacy of Voices of Iowa, a local chapter of the Colon Cancer Alliance.
“We were the first ones to take our seats tonight,” said Denise Samuels of Keokuk. “We didn't plan to get here early, but we drove by and saw a group of people outside the Grand at 4:45 p.m. So we decided to get in line. Everyone else turned out to be workers, but we found our seats anyway. Our goal was to not sit in the balcony.”
Denise and husband Mike attended last year's Liverpool Legends performance in Keokuk. This year they sat in the third row on the aisle of a side section.
By 6 p.m., the ground level seats at the Grand were full for the 7 p.m. show. Signs on the doors said the concert was sold out. Center seats were reserved for VIP tickets holders who paid $30 more per ticket and could attend an after-party to meet the band at the Hawkeye Restaurant. Even the box seats filled up.
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After Saturday's two-hour concert, the Samuels said the concert was just as good as their first experience a year ago at the Grand.
“I think they played some different songs,” said Mike. “And last year, Louise was here. She spoke during intermission and answered questions. That was nice. This year was just as fun.”
Porter thanked the audience for supporting Colon Cancer Awareness.
“Voices of Iowa seeks to educate the public about colon cancer - the symptoms, the test, prevention and cure,” she said. “My father was diagnosed with colon cancer after it had already spread. The following two and a half years were difficult, expensive and full of worry.”
She asked those who know someone who has or had colon cancer to clap. A significant amount of audience members clapped.
“Colorectal cancer isn't discussed because it involves parts of the body people find embarrassing,” said Porter. “The test, a colonoscopy, isn't embarrassing or painful or scary. Having the test, which includes removing any polyps seen, can help you grow older.
“Don't ignore symptoms, My dad did. He died when he was 59. He is missed by his wife, his kids and grandkids.”
Porter said hosting the Liverpool Legends is a perfect fit because a majority of baby boomers, the Beatles' first audience, is reaching ages 50 to 60. For people without any family history of colon problems, a first colonoscopy test is recommended at 50.
“Don't wait for your doctor to ask you,” said Porter. “March is national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule a colonoscopy test.”
Porter related her first discussion with the band's manager, Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, the “quiet” Beatle.
“I contacted her to find out about booking the band last year,” said Porter. “We talked about bringing Liverpool Legends to Keokuk. She asked why I was doing this. I told her it would be a fund-raiser for colon cancer awareness. There was a long pause on the phone. Then Louise said, ‘My son has colon cancer. We've got to do this.' I still get goose bumps telling the story. It was meant to be.”
During intermission, an Ibenez guitar autographed by the four Liverpool Legends musicians, was auctioned for $900.
The show began with four mop-haired young men dashing on stage dressed in the iconic skinny black suits, white shirts and narrow black ties. With authentic and vintage guitars, Davey Justice as Paul, Marty Scott as George, Greg George as Ringo on drums and Kevin Mantegna as John, played through the early Beatles happy love songs. The musicians hit every note in voice and on instruments, bringing jubilant energy to listeners, most of whom could sing along with every word, much to their own amazement.
“Yes, I was a Beatles fan,” said Dr. Bill Davis, attending the show with wife Jean and friends Dev and Ed Kiedaisch. “I was in London in 1964 and attended the premier showing of ‘A Hard Days Night.' It was really great.”
Some audience members dressed in Beatles memorabilia, others wore Liverpool Legends merchandise. A few women wore the slouchy newsboy hats popular in 1960s England and America.
And the requisite young women with long hair sat in the front row of adoring fans, clapping and dancing, loving the sounds.
After intermission, the band returned to the stage dressed in colorful satin costumes of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Clubs Band era, taking the audience down Penny Lane.
Anyone with a birthday in March was invited up on stage to play tambourine with the band while it played “You Say It's Your Birthday.”
One more costume change showed the band members with longer hair, George in jeans and work shirt; John dressed in all white; and Paul and Ringo in more casual black suits.
“George was younger than Paul and John,” said Scott. “He came into his own later. He established his own publishing company.
“I am glad to have a fun career representing the best song writers of all time. Thank you to the person who bought the guitar. The money goes to the Colon Cancer Alliance. I'm dedicating this song to George - up there - Louise, who couldn't be here this year, and Natalie, thanks.”
He played “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
The band returned after its last set to a standing ovation and an encore.
More about Liverpool Legends, which begins seasonal Branson, Mo., shows April 1 at the Starlite Theater, can be found on their Web site www.liverpoollegends.com.
Saturday's program included the names of local doctors who perform colonoscopies - Davis, Dr. Tom Hakes and Dr. David Waddell all at the Keokuk Clinic; Dwain Stone at Tri-State Medical Group, Inc.; and Philip Caropreso at Midwest Family Medical Care; and a card with symptoms of colorectal cancer. More information also is available on the Web site www.CCAlliance.org.
At the prompting of Porter, the band promised to return to play in Keokuk again.
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Reader Comments
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Natalie wrote on Mar 4, 2008 6:45 AM:
This is a cancer that can be prevented. And too many people are dying from it. I miss my Dad so much. He was a big part of my family, of my life. I'm trying to prevent others from going through the same pain and suffering.
As many could see Saturday night, the Liverpool Legends is a very talented group of guys! What a great show they put on. They really put alot of energy into it. I think it's great to see a show from Branson, Mo right here in Keokuk. And I believe we could have more. The Lverpool Legends loved the audience and it's response and also loved the Grand Theatre. I have had many people suggest that we had the band play at the KHS gym. I don't believe a gym would do what the Grand Theatre did. We have a wonderful nostalgic theater that is perfect for concerts like this!
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed the show and I'm not sure if we will bring them back next year or not. Marty Scott who plays George, wants to return to Keokuk next year and was trying to talk me into it Saturday at the "Meet & Greet". It was alot of hard work and it was sometimes difficult working full time. I'll have to rest and think about it. Plus, I wouldn't want to burn people out. I think a Beatle Fest in 2 years sounds like a better idea....
Thank you to all the donators and to all my volunteers and supporters who helped to make this Voices of Iowa event successful. All money raised from Saturday's concert goes to the Colon Cancer Alliance to aide in education, research and support. Remember March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and to talk to your doctor about colon cancer. Everyone 50 and above needsa colonoscopy. People of high risk, family history or a personal history, need one sooner. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones.
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