Bob Rogers interviews Marty Rhone about the Cliff Joins the Beatles show.
Use the audio player below to listen to the interview…
Correction: Date for the Sydney State Theatre concert is 5 May. The paper apologises for any confusion.
We have also added an image gallery to the website and posted up some photos of the guys in rehearsal. Be sure to check them out HERE.
Rehearsing prior to heading ‘down under’
The music world has been rocked by news that Cliff Richard is joining John, Paul George and Ringo for a tour of Australia.
A reliable source close to the band revealed former manager Brian Epstein as becoming increasingly concerned at bickering between Paul and John and had been searching for ways to split the two while keeping the band together. Witnesses at the NME Poll Winners Concert at Wembley in 1967, say Epstein enthusiastically applauded Cliff’s act. It is understood he saw Cliff as the perfect foil for the two talented protagonists but his reported suicide in August 1967 meant his dream remained unfulfilled.
Since news broke of Cliff‘s split with the Shadows, rumours have been rife of a potential move for the pretty boy rocker to fulfill Epstein’s wish. It seems a chance encounter between Paul and Cliff at Abbey Road studios has provided the impetus. Paul and George had been working on a few ideas for the band’s new album when Cliff walked in. Apparently a jam session between the three legends ensued. As co-recording tenants at Abbey Road, the rock rivals have become good friends. John has also been quoted as saying “Before Cliff & the Shadows there had been nothing worth listening to.”
The early 60’s saw the Beatles move to Hamburg to hone their skills. Whilst there George & John wrote the only Beatle composition to be credited to Harrison & Lennon. ‘Cry for a Shadow’ and Harrison’s lead guitar work suggests the influence of The Shadows. Although largely dismissive of The Shadows style, their hit Apache was occasionally a feature of the Beatles’ German shows.
In the early days The Beatles were taken to Cliff and the Shadows concerts by Epstein and instructed about clothes/stage presence and various other things. The Beatles very cleverly ‘homed in’ on Cliff and the Shadows (the biggest pop stars in Britain at the time). John Lennon took the Hank Marvin role in the group, (black-framed glasses and acting the fool). Paul McCartney was the handsome one standing where Bruce Welch did on stage.
To celebrate the success of Cliff’s ‘Summer Holiday’ and The Shadows’ ‘Foot Tapper’, both No.1 in March 1963, Bruce Welch threw a party with Cliff, the Shadows and the Beatles. An eye witness says the Beatles played their ‘new’ single ‘From Me to You’, while the Shads played ‘Atlantis’, followed by Cliff and Shads singing ‘Please Please Me’. This turned into a friendly impromptu battle of the bands. The Beatles did a Shadows impression complete with wildly exaggerated leg-kicking cross-over step. Cliff, the Shads and the Beatles all joined in singing and playing rhythm and blues.
April ‘68’ saw Cliff’s ‘The Minute You’re Gone’ knocked off the top of the charts by the Beatles ‘Lady Madonna’. A source close to Cliff says the rocker has expressed a fear the band might overtake him in the charts. Richard can now rest easy as it has become a case of ‘if you can’t beat em, join em.’
The spies are out everywhere to see who can make the first sighting of Cliff and the Beatles together. It is reported that the London tabloid News of the World is even offering a King’s ransom for an exclusive sighting of the group’s first rehearsal together but rumour has it the band and Cliff will tour Australia first because of their mutual affection for the land down under.
Up till now there has been a lack of animosity or jealously between the two groups; it has been mutual respect, both personal and musical but this latest development may change all that.
The Shadows were asked to comment but apparently all declined but one is said to have quipped caustically that Cliff & the Shadows would never ever perform on stage together again. Only time will tell.
The Formation of The Beatle BoysChristopher Lee Frazer – as the genius, John Lennon
Christopher has a deep and ongoing respect for everything Beatles and John Lennon, so
much so that he brings John back to life as the brilliant word-smith and larrikin he was.
Christopher studied acting and music from a very young age and has performed in many
musical theatre productions. Christopher has become quite the expert in the authentic
Liverpudlian scouse accent and with his Lennon style dry humour, impeccable Lennon
singing voice, rhythm guitar and harmonica skills you are bound to end up wondering if
Christopher Lee Frazer still exists beneath this famous guise, enjoying the second best
life he ever had. Christopher’s favourite saying is ” DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND WHO I’M
PRETENDING TO BE?!!!!! “
John Kater – as the Casanova of ‘Beatledom’, Paul McCartney
“A Mother F****** Voice!”
By the age of 4 years and 3 minutes he could name all of the Beatles and sing their songs.
His pretend life has swept him up and down continents and through the rivers of Brunei’s
forest, playing for the Sultan himself, played for rock star royalty weddings, looked out at
110,000 people and managed to get his vocal chords to work. He has played the role of
Beatle Paul for 14 years now – longer than Paul himself! Further to the above, John is a
most prized member of the natural left handed bass player fraternity, as was Sir Paul
McCartney.
Rod Auld – as the quiet one, George Harrison
A love of 50’s rock’n’roll and a fascination with guitars inspired Rodney to start playing guitar
at age 10. Early musical influences were broad including Bill Hailey & the Comets, Johnny
Cash, AC/DC and just about anything else. He considers himself a songwriter as much as
anything else, just like George Harrison. Having signed a publishing deal with ABC Rodney
is recording his second solo project and is looking forward to busy and exciting times ahead
with The Beatle Boys! He eats, sleeps, and lives in a Beatles inspired world. His studio is
plastered with Beatles images and the classic guitars they made famous, not to mention his
son who bears the first name, Harrison.
Michael Brady – as – Ringo Starr! (with a little help from his ‘friend’ Pete Best)
Showing an obsession with art rock bands from the age of two – Michael was a little more
eclectic in his music tastes than his Kindergarten friends. “My parents used to play stuff like
Queen, Rick Wakeman and of course The Beatles in the car when I was a kid! I was one
of the lucky ones. In previous incarnations Michael has taken on the style of many of the
world’s greatest drummers, including Mick Fleetwood, Roger Taylor and Phil Collins. Ringo
is my biggest musical challenge! He is the most unique drummer and such an amazing
character! You can only play like him if you let him into your head!” Michael’s love of the
Beatles and superb musical upbringing, ensure everything from Ringo’s distinctly musical
drumming, to his on stage mannerisms and disposition are lovingly embodied!
A legend of the Australian music scene with an incredible 45 years of achievements, Rhone has achieved success in virtually every aspect of the industry both as an entertainer, composer and actor.
No1 hit records, television series, stage success both in Australia and overseas has seen Rhone develop a reputation as one of the most dynamic performers this country has produced.
Most recently his tribute to Cliff Richard has resulted in the evergreen Aussie performing to sell out houses across the country with such success that he has been made an Honorary Lifetime Member by the Sir Cliff Richard Movement of Australia.
‘Cliff Joins the Beatles’ now sees Marty Rhone add writer and creative developer to his impressive list of credits as he brings this original music concept to the stage where he is joined by the Beatle Boys.
