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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Beatles tribute band turns back the clock

1964 brings sound, stage presence of Fab Four to the Bing

Popular music is in a constant state of flux, a never-ending flurry of interchangeable pop stars and one-hit wonders.

But as trends and artists come and go, one thing remains certain: The Beatles will never go out of style.

1964: The Tribute aims to transport you back to the year when Beatlemania was at its most feverish height – dig the matching suits, the leather boots, the mop-top hairdos. The Fab Four lookalikes perform a number of iconic hits from the Beatles’ early catalogue, which were recorded before they quit touring and expanded their sonic frontiers with experimental albums like “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Those were simpler times, but the music – from the joyful harmonies of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” to the ringing guitars of “A Hard Day’s Night,” and the aching melancholy of “Yesterday” – remains as iconic and exciting as ever.

In addition to duplicating the sound of their music, the members of 1964 also mimic the Beatles’ onstage demeanors: John Lennon’s feet-apart stance, Paul McCartney and George Harrison’s sharing of a microphone, Ringo Starr’s bouncy head movements, and their charming banter between songs.

It’s just like the Beatles in their ’60s heyday, minus the screaming hordes of teenage girls.

In the wide realm of Beatles tribute bands, 1964 is one of the most widely acclaimed and longest running, and they’ve played such major venues as Shea Stadium and Red Rocks Amphitheater, and to sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall.

Their Sunday night performance at the Bing Crosby Theater is also a benefit for Music Aid Northwest, an organization designed to fund music education in Washington.

Nathan Weinbender