During the British Invasion, America was introduced to a number of bands that topped the charts. Two of the most notable are The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Stephen Day
On Feb. 16, two renowned tribute bands, Abbey Road and Start Me Up, performed at the Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside.
The bands performed in three 20-minute alternating sets, playing some of the greatest hits from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in a musical showdown to answer one of the biggest questions in rock music history–which band is the greatest?
The debate is still a hot topic 60 years later as attendees walked through the doors donning t-shirts, jackets and even neckties to show their support for their favorite band. The question of which band they prefer was one floating around, filling the lobby with lively banter.
While waiting for the show, the venue projected trivia questions about both the Beatles and the Stones so the audience was never bored.
Abbey Road were the first performers of the night as they walked out in the iconic early black Beatle suits.
The banter was still in effect as Chris Paul Overall, the Paul McCartney impersonator, called the show a “bit of a charity event for an up-and-coming band called The Rolling Stones.” The band kicked off the first set with the song “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” immediately starting the show with a lively beat.
Stephen Day
Abbey Road had great energy, good crowd work and a playful stage presence as the band often smiled and gestured at each other. The crowd loved it as they swayed and sang along, yelling out lyrics when the Beatles encouraged it.
The first set also included other hits such as “All My Loving,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”
The band ended the first set in high spirits as they asked the audience to get out of their seats for the last song, which was “Twist And Shout.” Attendees immediately followed instructions and danced around to the Beatles' music.
Stephen Day
The band Start Me Up started up their first set with an energetic performance of “Get Off Of My Cloud” that had the crowd bopping their heads to the beat. Mark Jagged, the Mick Jagger impersonator, didn’t miss the earlier jab at the Stones and retaliated by thanking the “warm-up band The Monkeys.”
The band had amazing energy as the frontman refused to stay in one place, often dancing around, jumping and kicking the air. Guitarist Keith Riff Richards shared the same enthusiasm as he gestured wildly with his guitar.
Start Me Up worked the crowd by interacting with the people in the pit and encouraging the rest of the audience to clap and sing along.
Stephen Day
Other songs in the first set included “The Last Time,” “Under My Thumb” and the iconic “Paint It, Black.” “Paint It, Black” was clearly a fan favorite as the crowd loudly cheered the moment the guitarist played the first note, giving a strong finish to the band's first set.
Both bands had a total of three wardrobe changes that captured the essence of the bands they were portraying.
Abbey Road’s Zak Schaffer, the George Harrison impersonator, gave an emotional performance of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” that had the audience enraptured. The band ended their third and final set with a beautiful rendition of “Hey Jude,” which caused everyone to stand and cheer as the Beatles gave their exit.
Stephen Day
Start Me Up continued to give strong, energetic performances with “Brown Sugar,” “Sympathy For The Devil” and the nice switch up having Richards sing “Happy.”
Despite technical difficulties for guitarist Ronnie Raging Wood during “Start Me Up,” the first song of set three, the band persisted and showed out during their last set.
Stephen Day
In spite of the playful rivalry between the two bands, they put their differences aside and performed one song together to end the night, stating, “Beatles and Stones can get along.”
The show ended with both Abbey Road and Start Me Up members putting their arms around each other to give one final bow as the audience gave a standing ovation.
The question of whether The Rolling Stones or The Beatles is the better band remains unanswered, but there is no denying it was wonderful to see different generations come together to enjoy music.
