Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Yup, gonna see Beatlemania tonight. It's been about four years since the last show and I'm anxious to see what new off the wall tunes they have in store. I almost sat in for "Paul" at one of their shows because he was running late. I was ready to run home for my Hoffie when all of a sudden he shows up.

Cool... can you take some pix and post them here?

which beatlemania? now, live, then?

Sorry I didn't bring a camera with me. The "John" buy had a 325/58 with alterations like; pickguard removed, Hofner buttons, and I wonder if he disconnected the middle pickup? The drummer had Ringo "nailed". George was the only one that didn't look quite right. I only stayed for the first show which took them up through Rubber Soul. They actually did "In My Life" with the piano solo in the middle. They aced that one. Another mentionable one that kinda blew me away was "I Don't Want To Spoil the Party". Simply a great show. I wish I could've stayed for both shows but I do have a day job and I'm pretty well shot this morning with only four hours of sleep.

which beatlemania?

I just saw the "Now" version on 7/24 at my local park.

John had 3 and George 1 ric.

There is a Beatlemania that shows up at one of the local Phoenix-area casinos about twice a year. I've seen them twice, they put on a good show. They open a la Sullivan then progress thru the years, changing costumes and hair styles.

This "John" has a 325C58, but without the Lennon mods. Actually, I'm not totally sure now about the Bigsby, other than I don't remember noticing one. But I do know he still had the toaster knobs on it, as shipped. He also switched off with a Casino.

"George" was a bit disappointing in that he only used a Country Gent for the whole show (the mid-90s reissue version). They used effects to get other "George" guitar sounds...the 12-string sound was passable, but still visually disappointing. He was EXCELLENT, tho...he played the entire 3-part guitar solo for "The End" by himself. All the other solos were dead on...he even held his arms and hands the same way George did.

Of course, it's only anal-retentives like us that notice those details...the rest of the audience was dancing in the aisles, on top of the tables,loving it.

And it DID get a little dicey what with the audience getting all caught up in wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks sitting in the aisles.....

Eeash, thats definetly not Beatlemania now, I think they would consider that a sacrilidge to use effects boxes. My brother is in beatlemania now and he dosent like the fact that they use so many guitars, he's afraid he'll knock one off his drum riser, lol. THey have so many.....325 Miami, 325v59 Jetglo, 325v59 Mapleglo, Country Gent, Tennesean, Rick 360/12, Rick 360/12OS, 500/1 Cavern, 500/1, Magical mystery tour strat, Sunburst lennon casino, Sunburst casino (bigsby), Natural lennon Casino, J-160E, J-160E Natural Finish, Epiphone Texan. Probably some more too...

Dang, thats a lot of guitars. I aint in a Beatlemania situation, but the more I play around the more I realize that simple / light / small is the way to go. Less is more.

Yeah, we used to carry a lot more than we do now, but when we started gigging a lot we quickly got tired of hauling a bunch of guitars. Here's the usual stuff:

Ric 320
Epiphone J45
Epiphone Casino
Phantom Brian Jones Teardrop

Ric 12-string
Gretsch Country Gent
Epiphone Casino
"Rocky" Strat
Danelectro

Hofner Beatle Bass
Ric 4001S(MMT)
Jerry Jones Master Sitar
Phantom Hollowbody Teardrop Bass
Epiphone Rivoli bass
Jerry Jones Longhorn Bass(for encore)

I saw the original Beatlemania when they went on tour, I think it was during the 80's sometime. Their Ringo had it nailed too, did all the headbobs, you could have sworn it was Ringo playing up there, they were great.

Is this "The Cast of Beatlemania"??? I seen them like 5 or 6 times here on Cape Cod. Always a great show. I've hung out with the band after the show a couple of times, "John" let me try out a few of the guitars. In the last few years they've added "Rain" and "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party" to their set, I gave them high praise, cause they're two songs in my Top Ten.

Yeah, the "Cast", or at least that's what was on the bass drum head. I caught their act in the late '70's on Broadway. The original stage act had a lot more excitement, like a string quartet, movies, and more believable people playing The Beatles. I still get a kick out of the Beatlemania group today, and if they're in a 200 mile radius from me I'm there.