BEATLES VS. STONES: A MUSICAL SHOWDOWN
Tribute Battle will Celebrate Fan Rivalry at the Miller High Life Theatre on April 12
(Milwaukee, WI – February 11, 2019) – The most infamous rivalry in rock & roll will finally play out before Milwaukee audiences when Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown, featuring premiere tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show, comes to the Miller High Life Theatre on Friday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $28.00 or $48.00, and go on public sale at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 15, at the Miller High Life Theatre Box Office, 1.800.745.3000, and Ticketmaster.com. The Miller High Life Theatre is located at 500 W. Kilbourn Avenue (6th & Kilbourn) in downtown Milwaukee.
The Beatles performed at the Milwaukee Arena on September 4, 1964; three months later, the Rolling Stones played their first Milwaukee date next door at the Milwaukee Auditorium (now the Miller High Life Theatre) on November 11. Ever since those early days of rock’s first “British invasion,” the bands’ respective fans have argued about who was better. Beatles fans accused London’s Rolling Stones of stealing ideas — even entire albums – from their Liverpool counterparts. At the same time, the Beatles secretly envied the Stones’ “bad boy” image and attitude, often copying their style.
While fierce competition fueled the creative output of both bands during the 1960s, tension between the tribute performers is equally palpable.
“The Beatles cornered the rock market on cute suits and fluffy hairdos, but then they stood still on stage and modeled them,” according to Chris Legrand, who plays a dead ringer for Mick Jagger in both swagger and ability.
“The Stones rocked the stage, and worked as hard as the bluesmen they modeled their stage show after, generating the smoldering sexuality that came to be a hallmark of great rock-n-roll acts. The Beatles? Well, they were cute! The Stones were the original punks – outsiders at best. The Beatles took tea with the bloody Queen – how rock & roll is that?!”
As for the Beatle response? “We got our Sgt. Pepper jackets made a little long so the Stones would have no problem riding our coattails,” Mocks drummer Axel Clarke as Ringo. “That Mick Jagger sure can move! It’s a shame he has to work twice as hard to be half as good!”
Members of both Abbey Road and Satisfaction have taken great care to recreate the experience of seeing these incredible bands live, to please casual fans and purists alike. That “All You Need is Love” spirit appears to be lost on Messrs. Legrand and Clarke, who continue trading jabs. “The Beatles wrote Let It Be,” but the Stones countered with Let It Bleed,” snarls Chris.
“Listen, mate,” counters Axel. “The song John and Paul gave to the Stones (“I Wanna Be Your Man,” in 1963) was one they let Ringo sing…that says it all!”
Since 2011, “The Beatles” (Abbey Road) and “The Rolling Stones” (Satisfaction) have acted out the famous rivalry onstage, alternating mini-sets and engaging in improvised barbs and banter in front of sold-out audiences all across the United States, including a four month residency at the Harrah’s Reno Showroom.
Whether you’re a mod or a rocker, a John, Paul, Mick or Keith supporter, Beatles vs. Stones is your ticket back in time to “Yesterday!”
“Electrifying show!”
– Orange County Register.
“The most unique tribute show in decades”
– Los Angeles Times
“The crowd was on their feet screaming the entire time!”
– Idaho Statesman
“If you missed The Beatles and The Rolling Stones live, here is your second chance.”
– San Clemente Times
About Abbey Road:
The Abbey Road band members portray the Beatles in an award-winning, nationally touring musical biography of the “Fab Four” called In My Life – A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles. The musical gives the audience a glimpse inside the world of the Beatles from the band’s point of view, as well as to hear some of the greatest songs ever written. The producers wrote the script to give the audience a chance to “be there” at pivotal moments in the extraordinary career of The Beatles – from Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club, through The Ed Sullivan Show, Shea Stadium, and the final live performance on the rooftop of the Apple Corp offices.
In My Life is more than just a Beatles tribute concert. The play begins at the Cavern Club, with the first meeting of Epstein and the soon to be “Fab Four.” Eventually, Epstein convinces the boys that matching suits and synchronized bows at the end of a performance will be better for their image than jeans and black leather jackets. This encounter results in February 1964, when America watched The Beatles for the first time on The Ed Sullivan Show, playing “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” Progressing through their various musical stages, the audience re-experiences the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, a creation of the haunting “Yesterday,” and the raucous rock & roll of “Revolution.”
The Los Angeles Times said “the show delivers,” and the Orange County Register hailed “if you see only see one tribute show, see this one…smart and loads of fun.” The Long Beach Press Telegram called Abbey Road a “highly faithful tribute,” and the Idaho Statesman said “if you like The Beatles, this is the ticket for you.” The band has headlined at Knott’s Berry Farm, The Beatles Festival, Harrah’s Tahoe, Harrah’s Reno, Harrah’s Rincon and Pala Casino.
About Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show:
“Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show” is the international touring tribute show to the World’s Greatest Rock & Roll Band. This Billboard and Pollstar highly rated show is entering its 15th year in production, with over 2,500 performances listed to the performers’ credit. Satisfaction’s client list includes the nation’s top casinos, performing arts centers, music halls and corporate clients. Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast and costuming of its kind. The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and cast bring a colorful performance to over 50 years of classic hits. They have been featured in Rolling Stone magazine, Showbiz Magazine, Las Vegas Today, CBS Sunday Morning, and hundreds of other national newspapers, magazines, television, and radio as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy. The cast now has three successful projects including “A Symphony For The Devil,” “Gimme Abbey,” and “Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown.”
Beatles vs. Stones online: www.beatles-vs-stones.com
Abbey Road online: abbeyroadtributeband.com
Satisfaction – The International Rolling Stones Show online: www.rollingstoneshow.com