Cavern Shows 2 thru 4

Let's just say, by time Sunday rolled around, we started to win some fans over. Some who would follow us all week long, which is quite a compliment. At this annual festival, there are some 'long time favorite' bands like The Repeatles (Sweden), Instant Karma USA, The Prellies (UK) and The Tearaways (LA, USA) - and it's tough to 'tear away' fans from their loyal legions.

As the gigs rolled on, we got to know some of myspace friends here - Martin, Sandy Sunshine, Gaelle from France (who made every show!), Rhian, Louise, Suzie, Alix, Hare Rama Radio, Tony from The Shakers, Flashback Kevin, Fab Faux Frank, Ashleigh, Trev & Gaz Prellie...it was heartwarming to meet kindred spirits who until this week, were just connections on the internet!

Our late Cavern Pub show went VERY well. We followed a trio from Japan - Ricky Hiroto's band - and they carried Beatles as a three-piece extremely well. They were ab-so-rute-ry amazing with Helter Skelter! After their loyal Japanese contigent left, the pub emptied out a little. But no worries...we kept the place going well until closing.

Our new friend, Steve from North Carolina (who took mine & Linda's photo with Mike McCartney earlier in the day) and his son Chris came to see us. Chris, only 23, sang and danced to pretty much every song. It's good to know The Beatles/60's music is still loved by people under 30!

Aside from the usual small-stage, on-stage bumbling over the microphones (4 singers...3 mics...crossed-up cords...AAAAHHHH) we did great. Our version of "If I Needed Someone" moved a fan from Swizterland to approach me after the show, and he said it was 'as if The Beatles were right in front of me!" (Wow...THAT'S what it's all about!)

On Sunday, we did two more Cavern Front stage shows. Both killer!! In the 2pm show, we had a little fun...

Towards the end, I called up 'road manager' Dale to the stage because 'something was wrong with my bass'. Not really...the band wanted to thank him for his HELP all week long - surprising him by letting him play bass for a song on stage. We wanted him to truly be able to say 'I played at The Cavern Club'.

At the same time, I also called up a great soul and friend Gary Quinn from The UK...a one man wrecking crew of a solo artist. He was to play in the Cavern Back stage at 3pm, but was watching our set. So I called HIM up, too...and the extended-family Fab Five set out to do a ROCKING version of "Slow Down". I swear...it was so cool, the Cavern was being lifted up an entire floor. The crowd was eating it up.

After a rest and a pint, we walked up the hill to The Adelphi Hotel for our 5pm slot in main bar area. We donned our white shirts and thin ties, and looked like a 'real beat group'. We were graced with the presence of Badfinger's Joey Molland, who came down from his room to support us (and have a pint or two, as well!).

I truly believe, this was the moment that we won over faithful Beatle Weekers...as many music fans were skipping the sweaty Cavern shows, and opting for the comfort of The Adelphi to see The Pete Best Band, to hear Donovan being interviewed, or to browse the huge memorabilia auction in the ballroom. This was our first exposure to hundreds of locals...and as we played, the roomy lounge kept filling up, and filling up, and...

We played our kick-a$$ Searchers medley - seamless transitions between 'Love Potion No. 9', 'When You Walk In The Room', and 'Needles & Pins'. The Searchers were considered by many to be the the next biggest band behind The Beatles...especially with the locals. With Charlie's chiming 12 string, Pat's driving rhythm guitar, Stan's perfect pounding of the tom-toms, and the angelic 3-part harmonies from me Charlie and Joe....this was our most glorious musical moment of the week.

After the show, an older lad (60?) named Peter from Everton UK came up to me as Linda and I were chatting with Joey. He shook my hand and said, "Thank you...thank you for playing The Searchers...they're MY Band. You did them so well, I felt tears coming to my eyes. You brought me back to my teenage days. You were brilliant....thank you." And he continued to talk to me for what must have been 5 minutes. Such is the beauty of the gift of music...it bonded two generations of strangers from across the ocean.

How ironic. Deservedly so, Joey is always the one that has Badfinger fans coming up and showing appreciation. For once, the shoe was on my foot. I must say, Joey was getting a kick out of it, and joining in with Peter about how great the band is. Peter knew full well who Joey was, but today...he just felt like giving The Fab Five high praise. Um... hello?! This is amazing stuff!! It reinforces the belief that ANYTHING is possible, and the wildest of dreams can come true.

The All-Nighter at 1am in The Cavern was a blast. The BeatBrothers were before us...a 17 year old guitarist/vocalist, a 15 year drummer (brothers) and their Dad on bass. They were the hit of the week. I can see them making it big someday with their energy and talent.

After a great intro from Trev Prellie (calling The Fab Five 'good friends') we kicked out our 60's set - Dave Clark 5, Who, brought back the Searcher medley, Hollies, and what went over well was our KINKS medley. The place was vibrating with cheers and dancing.

Word about us must have gotten out, because SEVERAL other bands were 'eyeing us' for that set. I'm sure that playing other 60's bands, on top of Beatles, brought our 'street cred' up several notches. It was great to hear praise from The Shakers, The Repeatles, and especially the duo from The Overtures. I consider them the PRIMO band at BW. ELTON JOHN does too....he hired The Overtures to play his wedding earlier this year!

Tomorrow...the Magical Mystery Tour, McCartney's marvelous mutt Molly & Malloy's.