John Burland reviews The Bootleg Beatles

The Bootleg Beatles formed in 1980 and grew out of the musical Beatlemania. There have been a number of changes of personnel over the years but only 12 musicians have played the four roles.

Their most recent concert was at Bradford St George’s Hall, Bradford. The show opened with It Won’t Be Long followed by All My Loving and Roll Over Beethoven. Their first two number one singles She Loves You and I Want To Hold Your Hand followed and then a solo number from Steve White, as Paul, with Yesterday. Twist And Shout was followed by Can’t Buy Me Love, Help, and I Need You. Gordon Elsmore as Ringo led Act Naturally, then up to the interval were You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, We Can Work It Out, I Feel Fine, Ticket To Ride and I’m Down.

There was a change of costumes for the second half, when Magical Mystery Tour and I Am The Walrus were followed by superb renditions of Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever. Eleanor Rigby, Hello Goodbye, All You Need Is Love and Across The Universe were next after which they played 14 of the 16 tracks from Abbey Road. A standing ovation brought the band back to perform Hey Jude and Revolution.

The band are playing at the Royal Hall in Harrogate on Thursday, December 19.