Classical Mystery Tour, tribute Beatles band, returns to Oklahoma City
Philharmonic pops
BY RICK ROGERS
Comments 
3
Published: November 1, 2009
Modified: October 31, 2009 at 11:08 am
America’s fascination with the Beatles is not only enduring but seems to become more fervent with each passing year. Paul McCartney continues to tour, Ringo Starr will be honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame next year, and the Fab Four’s 13-disc remastered stereo box set went on sale recently.
Classical Mystery Tour, a Beatles tribute band, features the musical talents of Jim Owen (John Lennon), Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney), Tom Teeley (George Harrison) and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr). Photo Provided
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More Info
IN CONCERT
Classical Mystery Tour
→When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
→Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N
Walker.
→Information: 842-5387.
The Beatles’ popularity also can be gauged by the dozen or so tribute bands that have proliferated since the late 1970s. Among these are 1964 the Tribute, Beatlemania, the Fab Four and Rain: the Beatles Experience. Classical Mystery Tour joined the fray in 1996, but what sets this group apart from the rest is that its appearances are backed by a full symphony orchestra.
Following a highly successful engagement with the
Oklahoma City Philharmonic in January 2007, Classical Mystery Tour will return to
Oklahoma City this week to open the orchestra’s 2009-10 pops season. Band members
Jim Owen (
John Lennon),
Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney),
Tom Teeley (
George Harrison) and
Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr) will reunite for two performances conducted by Martin Herman.
While Classical Mystery Tour’s musicians dress in familiar Beatles garb and play their more famous counterparts’ instruments, it’s their unwavering desire to get every detail of the music right that informs everything they do. That means audiences will hear the familiar piccolo trumpet in "Penny Lane” and a string quartet in "Yesterday.”
"The Beatles were such a fun group to watch and listen to, but they were together for such a short period of time,” Owen said recently. "So, there was a huge group of fans who never had a chance to see the Beatles perform live. We hope the idea of seeing a Beatles tribute group reminds people of why they got hooked in the first place.”
Classical Mystery Tour maintains an active catalog of three dozen Beatles group and solo hits including the lively "Hard Day’s Night,” the driving "Live and Let Die,” the wistful "Something” and the poignant "Yesterday.” The majority of the group’s orchestral charts were created by Martin, who doubles as the group’s conductor.
While baby boomers account for the bulk of Classical Mystery Tour’s audiences, Owen said he’s continually surprised to see increasing numbers of teenagers and senior citizens at his concerts.
It’s a clear sign that the Beatles’ music crosses all demographic lines in terms of its popularity.
"There are so many young kids who come to our shows who know all the lyrics,” Owen said. "It’s charming to see the 5 to 10 year olds. But I especially like to see teenagers in the audience because if they didn’t like us, they certainly wouldn’t pretend to. It’s amazing how age doesn’t matter.”
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UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MUSIC
HB 2057 allows for fines to be brought against unauthorized musical tribute groups each time the groups perform or advertise.
Didn't know you had to be authorized (by whom?). Imagine this was an attempt to prevent the "tribute bands" that try to pass themselves off in ads etc as being the actual band. Harder to do in the case of the Beatles of course, but have read about legal spats of Motown bands with that problem. Sort of like with using celebrity impersonators in commercials...they have to be clearly identified as such even if it is obvious that this person ain't them. Apparently even parodies have to be approved!
away from the band that u r,the more they look like the
actual Beatles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!