The opening night of the 75th annual Creston Valley Blossom Festival will turn back the clock a half-century with the Fab Fourever Beatles Experience.
Acknowledged as one of the finest Beatles tribute bands on the planet, the Fab Fourever will be making the trip from the members’ hometown of Kelowna to kick off the long weekend festivities tomorrow.
“We were really lucky to get them,” organizer John Huscroft said. “The Fab Fourever has a great reputation. They were the only band from North America asked to play at the Cavern in Liverpool during Beatle Week. They were invited back this year but agreed to go again in 2017 as it is a major commitment for them.
“Last year’s tribute to Johnny Cash sold out Prince Charles [Theatre] and I think Creston will respond to this show with the same enthusiasm.”
The Beatles, of course, made an early impression on British Columbia when they first visited Vancouver on Aug. 22, 1964, as Beatlemania began to take hold. More than 20,000 screaming fans filled Empire Stadium, where the mop-heads from Liverpool roared through an 11-song set that included “Twist and Shout”, “You Can’t Do That”, “All My Loving”, “She Loves You”, “Things We Said Today”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “If I Fell”, “Boys”, “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Long Tall Sally”.
Some of those songs might well be performed by the Fab Fourever, which is made up of Beatles super-fans Jody Tennant (Paul), Kevin Davey (John), Charles Boname (George) and Paul Kaszonyi (Ringo).
The Fab Fourever is a musical production performing all of the memorable hits live, without any vocal overdubs or pre-recorded music. This is a visually stunning tour de force delivered with all the raw energy, witty humour and undeniable charisma that were the hallmarks of the Fab Four.
“Creston, here we come,” said Tennant. “Liverpool was an amazing experience for the group, especially performing at what is commonly known as the Birthplace of the Beatles, the Cavern Club.”
“It was just as hot and sweaty as what you read about in books, but louder… and sweatier,” Davey added.
With vintage period-specific instruments, several full costume changes and a multimedia backdrop, the Fab Fourever spare no detail with this production. From the Beatles’ invasion of America, through Sgt. Pepper and all the way to the Rooftop Performance, their enjoyment of the music translates into a passion and an energy onstage that makes for a tremendous show.
The evening at Prince Charles Theatre kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday night and will include opening ceremonies and announcement of the citizen and junior citizen of the year.