What a long, rocking trip it’s been.
I very clearly remember first time Dean and I saw Ed Turner & Number 9. It was in April of 2009 when they played at the Paul S. Simon Theatre located inside the old Fort Discovery building. We were still fairly new to Augusta, having moved from Atlanta in 2007. We were eager to learn the area and began checking out the local music scene. I had heard about Number 9 on the radio. Since Dean and I are huge Beatles fans, we decided to go down by the Riverwalk to see what the excitement was all about.
The elevator ride was brief, but fun. We shared the space with WJBF’s George Eskola. Being in the elevator car with George set the tone for what became an incredible night. When the show began, the stage was packed with musicians. Ed Turner sat at his piano, clearly at the helm of this project, a masterful bandleader who entertained the crowd with his encyclopedic musical knowledge. The band played through a fun selection of Beatles songs that rocked us to our socks. Needless to say, we were blown away by the musicianship of this group of local rock stars. We became instant fans.
Over the years, Ed Turner & Number 9 played annual concerts – each year’s event featuring a single Beatles album played from start to finish in the exact manner as the original songs were recorded. After the Beatles run was through, the band transformed into a new project called Ed Turner & Number 9 Rock and Soul Revue. The group switched to classic rock songs by artists like Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and many more. As they did with the Beatles music, the band gave powerful performances of note-for-note recreations of the old hits.
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Fast forward to the summer of 2012. After having befriended a few members of the band, we were asked to become band photographers for the upcoming August shows. As aspiring photogs, this was an opportunity that I couldn’t believe fell into our laps. Summer was here and as the band began to prepare for their next shows, we were invited to attend our very first rehearsal at Ed Turner’s house to capture the action on camera.
Walking into Ed’s house for the first time was like unto a spiritual experience for music lovers. The walls were covered floor to ceiling with rock posters, memorabilia, photos and art. The entire living area has been transformed into a music studio with instruments, amps, mics, and stools scattered about for the band. A spread of hors d’oeuvres covered the countertops of the open kitchen. Everyone present at the house was in great spirits and camaraderie was evident. We were made to feel right at home from the moment we crossed the threshold. And when the band began to play, it was like being in rock and roll heaven. However, nothing could touch the feeling of being backstage with the group at the historic Imperial Theatre.
On our first night of the two-night event, we pulled into the parking lot behind the theatre and walked in through the back door. We took the few short steps to the backstage area and ran into everyone who had already arrived. A party atmosphere filled the narrow hallway backstage, and I walked from dressing room to dressing room, shooting photos of the performers and spending time talking with everyone. We were asked to get as many candid behind-the-scenes shots as we could, so we obliged.
I will never forget that first night, standing behind the black curtains that separate the wings from the main stage, watching the lights grow dim as the band took the stage. I felt my face flush and my heart race. The sound of applause filled the stage with an incredible amount of energy as the band launched into their first song. The shutter of my camera didn’t stop clicking through the entire event. Love flowed from the fans to the band and back in an infinite loop of pure joy. It was such a pleasure to experience this on the periphery and an honor to be a small part of that weekend.
During the 17 years that his band performed across the CSRA, Ed Turner put together a stellar cast of performers. The horns and strings sections added a heavy dose of magic to the music the band played. For example, hearing that horn section play on “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago, during the Rock and Soul Revue days, was a thrilling experience. Ed knew exactly the type of musician he needed to hire on to bring the songs to life. No wonder every single show Ed Turner & Number 9 performed was a sell out at the box office. People love good music, and when Ed Turner’s name appeared on the marquee it was a sign of a rocking good time to come.
Fast-forward to Saturday, Aug. 13 and the final show for Number 9.
The Imperial Theatre was packed, and anticipation rolled through the audience like static electricity. George Eskola, a huge fan of both the Beatles and Number 9, emerged onstage and introduced the band with jokes and light banter. The curtain was raised and the group dove into “Hello, Goodbye.” The crowd erupted in applause. As with every Number 9 show, a video played on the screen behind the band throughout the performance, showing images of Number 9 band members throughout the years, interspersed with video and images of the Beatles themselves. Each video piece was a perfect complement to each of the tunes being performed.
Roger Davis, the original lead singer for Number 9, gave a commanding vocal performance to each and every song. His passionate rendition of Paul McCartney’s 1973 solo hit “My Love” ripped my heart out as it has done every single time that I’ve heard him sing it. Macca himself would be so proud to hear the tender treatment that Davis gives his lyrics.
During the show Roger offered up a loving tribute to his friendship with Ed Turner, playing Strawberry Fields with longtime band mates Duane Wilson on bass and Ronnie Hill on lead guitar. Next, the band performed Penny Lane. Fabio Mann’s piccolo trumpet hit the high notes and sent chills down my arms.
Zach Swenson, a rock drummer who played percussion last weekend with his father Steve, fronted the band for a rousing version of “Act Naturally.” He then asked the audience to stand and dance with him as he jumped into “Hippy Hippy Shake.” And we did.
The Imperial Theatre’s executive director, Charles Scavullo, walked onto the stage before the band’s second set to talk about Number 9’s history. He shared that Ed Turner & Number 9 had raised well over $1 million for local charities over their 17-year run as a band. As Scavullo talked, Ed walked out and stood beside him, and what happened next was beautiful.
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Ed talked about Scavullo’s dedication to the care and preservation of the Imperial. Ed then proceeded to announce that as of that evening, the front row seating in the Imperial Theatre was officially renamed “Front Row Scavullo.” The look on Charles Scavullo’s face was priceless. It was an honor that he so richly deserved.
After the front row dedication, Number 9 came back out and blazed through a second set of Beatles favorites. Toward the end of the show, Ed Turner welcomed to the stage former members Michael Vincent Baideme and the legendary Steve Mitchell, both magnificent guitar wizards. Watching Steve walk across that stage and take a seat center stage with his lovely wife MaryAnne was probably the most emotional part of the evening for me.
Number 9 ended the concert with a two-song encore that had everyone on their feet moving to the music. Once the last notes faded away on “I Saw Her Standing There,” Ed stood up from his piano, grabbed a microphone, and thanked everyone for being a part of what was truly an emotional evening.
As it is in life, all good things must come to an end. To quote the Beatles themselves, “and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.” Thank you, Ed Turner & Number 9, for all of the love you gave to us fans in the music you shared over all these many years. Thank you for all you did to help the many local charities that you supported through your concerts. Let’s not say goodbye. That’s too final. Instead, let’s say “see you soon!”
For those who were unable to attend the concert, here are the set lists from Saturday, August 13 at the Imperial Theatre:
First Set:
- Hello, Goodbye
- Got To Get You Into My Life
- I’ve Got a Feeling
- All Together Now
- We Can Work It Out
- I Feel Fine
- Things We Said Today
- Norwegian Wood
- My Love by Paul McCartney & Wings
- Strawberry Fields
- Penny Lane
- Act Naturally
- Hippy Hippy Shake
- Ballad of John and Yoko
INTERMISSION
Second Set:
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
- With a Little Help From My Friends
- Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds
- Here Comes the Sun
- Just the Two of Us
- I’ve Just Seen a Face
- Birthday
- Come Together
- One After 909
- Back in the USSR
- Let It Be
- Abbey Road Medley
Encore:
- Hey Jude
- I Saw Her Standing There
