For Beatles lovers looking to twist and shout on the Grand Strand this summer, popular North Myrtle Beach entertainment venue the Alabama Theatre is providing their ticket to ride this July — and there’s good reason for Fab Four fans to care. Dubbed “the best Beatles tribute on Earth” by Rolling Stone magazine, 1964: The Tribute is set to deliver its musical trip back in time right here on the Carolina coast on Friday, July 19, 2019.
Formed in the early 1980s, 1964: The Tribute has been thrilling audiences worldwide ever since. Focused on the Beatles’ the pre-Sgt. Pepper era musical library, the 1964: The Tribute’s shows treat attendees to musical journey to a forever-cherished era in rock history. And not only does the band re-create the sounds of an early ’60s live Beatles concert, its members also spur audience double-takes with their uncanny visual resemblance to the Fab Four.
No detail has been overlooked, as authentic period instruments, clothing from the era, the Beatles’ famous haircuts and the musical legends’ on-stage banter — all perfected over 25 years of research and performances — are brought back to the stage by these masters of their craft. As a result, 1964: The Tribute has been hailed by music critics and fans alike as the world’s most endearing and authentic Beatles tribute band in the world.
The band’s cast consists of:
- Mark Benson as John Lennon — An Ohio native, Mark started playing music at age 8, and picked up the guitar at age 17. Not too long after, as a repair technician at a local guitar shop, he began making guitars for the likes of Eddie Van Halen and Jackson Browne, and selling vintage guitars to members of legendary bands the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Who, ZZ Top, The Eagles, The Allman Brothers, Cheap Trick and the Doobie Brothers. Along the way, he played guitar in a long list of local bands, and he became a founding member of 1964: The Tribute in 1984.
- Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney — Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, Mac started listening to his older sisters’ Beatles records as a young child. The music soon became a personal favorite, leading him to buy his first album, “The Beatles 1962-66” — the exact era that 1964: The Tribute re-creates in its live shows today. After buying a knockoff Hofner bass and playing in a number of Beatles tribute bands in Southern California, Mac — not a natural lefty — spent nearly a year training himself to play the bass left-handed like Paul McCartney.
- Tom Work as George Harrison — A co-founder of 1964: The Tribute, Tom began playing guitar at the age of 7, and went on to study music at the University of Akron. He’s played and sung in a number of bands since the late 1960s (including a barbershop quarter, believe it or not), and has worked in 20-plus musical theatre productions, both onstage and behind the scenes as a producer and music director.
- Robert Potter as Ringo Starr — An Indiana native, Robert began taking snare drum lessons in the 5th grade, got his first drum set in the 7th grade, and has been emulating Ringo Starr since the Beatles first made their big splash on the music scene. He played professionally in a number of bands before joining 1964: The Tribute, including stints in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and backing greats like Chris Montez, Al Wilson, The Coasters, The Drifters and even (in true Vegas style) a long list of Elvis impersonators.
To see and hear a few samples of 1964: The Tribute in action, visit 1964web.com. To get your tickets to the Grand Strand show, visit the Alabama Theatre’s event listing for the 1964: The Tribute show. And to explore the full list of upcoming events at the venue, visit the events calendar at alabama-theatre.com.
And when you’re ready to soak up some sun, fun and music on the Carolina coast, book your getaway at Long Bay Resort on the Myrtle Beach oceanfront. With our wide range of comfortable accommodations and luxurious on-property amenities, we’ve got everything you’ll need to get away from the grind and make some rockin’ memories during your Myrtle Beach vacation.