While it’s been more than six decades since John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr first came together to form the Beatles, their music still speaks to audiences of all ages. When the Liverpool Legends tribute show is performed, it’s not just one age group in attendance.
“We have kids at every concert. Just as often, it’s the 8-year-old who is bringing their parents,” said Marty Stuart, who started the tribute show after George Harrison’s sister, Louise, heard Stuart sing.
Liverpool Legends is a complete Beatles experience and will be performed for three nights beginning Sept. 9 at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center.
The story of Stuart and Louise Harrison’s meeting is recounted on the Liverpool Legends’ website.
Stuart was singing in the style of George Harrison in a festival in Chicago a few months after Harrison’s November 2001 death.
“’This figure comes out on stage looking exactly like my brother, singing a song [‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’] sounding exactly like my brother, and for the first time since he had died, the tears just streamed down my face,’ remembers (Louise) Harrison,” according to the website.
Stuart worked with Louise Harrison to create the band and formed a friendship with her. But Liverpool Legends is not just any band. It’s a band that has to look like, sound like and move like the Beatles.
“The Beatles changed everything. They changed the world,” said Stuart. “They had a hold on the whole sound of the 60s and 70s.”
And no matter where in the world the Liverpool Legends perform, people know the music even if they don’t speak the same language.
“We’ve performed in India, and they knew all the words to the songs. They were singing loudly,” he said.
The show was originally scheduled as part of Augusta Amusements’ 2020-2021 season, but it was postponed due to COVID-19. While it’s not the first time the Beatles’ tribute has been performed in the area, the show is not a repeat, he said.
“About 70% of the show is the same,” he said.
It wouldn’t be a Beatles’ tribute without certain songs such as “Hey Jude,” “I Want To Hold Your Hand” or “Here Comes the Sun,” but the band has about 200 songs to choose from.
Stuart said the show covers the different eras of the band from “The Ed Sullivan Show” appearance that started it all to the Shea Stadium performance to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” until the band broke up.
“We try to play B-side songs too,” he said. “We don’t ever get bored.”
Fans of the original Fab Four are in for a treat.
“We try to get it as close to the original magic of the Beatles as possible,” he said.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and 10 and at 3 p.m. Sept. 11. Tickets are $39.95 and are available online at augustaamusements.com or by calling (706) 726-0366.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
