Counterfeit Beatles tuned-up Imphal to Its Max ……“Wow!!” was the first thing that came to my mind and to the dozens of fans, I believe, when the ‘Counterfeit Beatles’ – the official tribute band of “The Beatles” from London came on stage and started the gig. The charisma that they radiated was overwhelming.

A quick reminder- The Counterfeit Beatles are on their Magical Mystery Tour and was here in Imphal this last Sunday. The concert was organized by “Thadoi Gypsy Entertainment” based in Imphal. The concert was opened by the local bands- The Dirty Strikes, Kanglasha & Recycle.

Now to the main topic, the Counterfeit’s covered the greatest numbers by “The Beatles” in black suits and the ‘Flower Power’ hippy style wardrobes. Songs such as “All You need is Love”, “Back in the USSR”, “Let it Be”, “I want to hold your Hand”, “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da”, “Hey Jude” and more. The crowd really enjoyed it, I’ve never seen the Imphal fans singing in unison in a concert like they did on that night. In the present situation of crime and extortion, music is the only word that’s keeping peace and unity in the land.

During the first couple of songs, people were silent and calm like they mostly do in most of the concerts. But later on as the clock ticks by they started the rants & the chants and in moments became berserk making it difficult for the organizers, the volunteers and even the security to control and prevent anyone from entering the stage. The crowds were busy screaming, shouting and stamping their feet. Some were dancing, singing, air-guitaring and enjoying each verse, chorus, every riffs and beats.

When the band performed “All You Need Is Love”, the fans lit up their cell phone screens and swayed to the music & the raga of the song. Everyone stomped their feet to the groove of numbers like “Back In USSR”, “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da” and so on. Through a blend of fast numbers and slower ones, the Counterfeit Beatles’ really manipulated the crowd.

The most significant moment was their last number “Hey Jude”, which brought out the real musicality of the onlookers. From the first line to the end, everyone joined in with the band. What a moment it was, never wanted it to end!!!

One thing I want to add is the question- How can you enjoy a freakin’ Rock Show sitting down?? This is one point to be noted by the organizers and the securities in charge of rock concerts.

Thus concludes the best concert I’ve witnessed in Imphal. Lastly, the “Higher-On Maiden” concert on the 15th will be one hell of a show. And I wonder how the crowds will be controlled!!! Better arrange for some barricades!!! All the hardcore Maiden fans in Imphal, you wouldn’t want to miss this one.

CLICK AND READ ABOUT WHAT THE PAPERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE COUNTERFEIT BEATLES 2010 TOUR OF INDIA

Down the memory lane with the Counterfeit Beatles
Nagaland Post – ‎Jul 2, 2010‎

The Counterfeit Beatles for a 'Hey Dimapur'
MorungExpress – ‎Jun 30, 2010‎

Beatle Mania Now almost as good as the real one
Nagaland Post – ‎Jun 30, 2010‎

Counterfeit Beatles to tour Shillong, Guwahati & Dimapur. 
June 27 
Nagaland Post – 27 Jun 2010

Monday, June 28th, 2010

READ THE NAGALAND POST EDITORIAL ABOUT  THE COUNTERFEIT BEATLES  2ND  TOUR OF NORTH WEST INDIA IN LESS 6 MOUTHS, PLAYING AT 6 CONCERT VENUES FROM THE 26TH OF JUNE TO  7TH JULY 2010 CHICK     HERE     TO VIEW FRONT PAGE WRITE UP

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

THE COUNTERFEIT BEATLES ARE TO DO A SECOND TOUR OF INDIA IN JULY 2010 ,DATES WILL BE FEATURED IN THE NORTH EAST OF INDIA

Dimapur ,(Assam – north east of India ) Guwahati ( Assam ) Shillong

UPDATES WILL BE HERE ON  NEWS

click HERE to read sunday times review, or read below.

Smriti Daniel saw them standing there and reports on a hard day’s night of Beatle mania. Pix by Gemunu Wellage

The Beatles - it’s taken their audience over four decades to calm down enough to actually listen to them sing live. But let’s not be hasty, I’m entirely certain I would have howled like a dog at the moon if it was actually John, Paul, Ringo and George there, instead of four guys in wigs and suits. But this was the next best thing.

The Beatle look a likes, who were down from the U.K, played at Parkstreet Mews last weekend to an unexpectedly large, diverse audience. Belying Lennon’s prior claim, this is the band that “Paul” - Peter Bailey – founded nearly 10 years ago. Unfortunately, “John” has proved himself imminently replaceable more than once, and so in this line up the role is sung by the fresh faced Reuven Gershon, the newest member of The Counterfeit Beatles. “Ringo” Gordon Elsmore, and “George” Martin Savill are old hands.

The four men take their jobs pretty seriously. Beatles’ tribute bands are thick on the ground where they come from, and the Beatle look a likes wear wigs and costumes. Still, Gordon couldn’t pass for a young Ringo in broad daylight – for one his hair is entirely white with age and for another he’s charmingly stout - but never underestimate the powers of a good wig. “This is the best line up we’ve had,” says Peter, explaining that good Beatle impersonators are hard to find – “some can sing, but can’t play; some play but don’t sing, others just don’t look the part.”

Sitting down with the Mirror Magazine prior to the concert, Peter reveals that he has played over a 1000 Beatles concerts, but the music never grows stale. The same is true of Reuvon, who says he’s been a fan of the Beatles since he was a 10 year old. Though the men make a living impersonating their idols, they haven’t really studied them – they leave that sort of thing to those enrolled in the Masters Degree program on The Beatles in Liverpool. Instead, decades of being ardent fans have helped them effortlessly mimic John, Paul, Ringo and George, says Martin. All of them do other things as well, Gordon for instance is a session musician, who with another tribute group “The Paperback Beatles,” has performed at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Reuvon is an actor and has worked on Broadway, playing both Lennon and Buddy Holly. He’s even had his arm around McCartney.

Up there on stage, the band really threw themselves into it. Clearly the Beatles never had to tailor costumes to tropical conditions, and under the spotlights, the band drips sweat into their iconic Abbey Road Beatle outfits.

The group are nothing if not accessible. (You can have them over to sing at your party, like Liam Gallagher of Oasis did, says Peter.) That night the band played four sets, approaching the albums chronologically. The first set was built around early Beatles favourites with tracks like "Love Me Do" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand". The second set covered songs from the ‘Rubber Soul’ album through to ‘Revolver.’ The third set covered the Sergeant Pepper phase of psychedelic coloured guitars, longer hair and moustaches through to the White album and included songs like"Back in the USSR ," and "Drive My Car". The fourth set was drawn from the ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘Let It Be’ era. For their encore they went all the way back to play ‘Twist and Shout,’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode.’

The crowd dancing up front never let up, but some of the most memorable moments at the concert came when the band slowed down a little. Their lovely rendition of "Let it Be" had the whole crowd singing along, and "Hey Jude," and "Yesterday," triggered a surge of nostalgia. We lifted our hands in the air, we waved cell phones and lit lighters, and under this glorious sky we sang out loud. With all these voices raised in song around me, I felt as comforted, as reassured as I ever had felt – “there is still a light that shines on me, shine on till tomorrow, let it be.”

Monday, March 1st, 2010

 CLICK        HERE         TO READ BANGALORE – ARTICLE & REVIEW OF THE COUNTERFEIT BEATLES SHOWS ON  THE 18.02.2010

SEE THE COUNTERFEIT BEATLES INTERVIEW ON CHENNAI LIVE FM INDIA ,ABOUT THE UP AND COMING TOUR OF INDIA AND SRI LANKA  .  20.02.2010 WITH ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE OF ALL MY LOVING CLICK HERE TO WATCH

 Click  HERE to read  the Times of India front page press review of the Chennia  art theatre  performance  to 1000 people on the 18.02 .2010

The Beatles are in town, yippee! Oh well, not the real Beatles, but their counterfeits. But trust us, these guys are as close to The Beatles as someone of this era can get.
In a bid to give Chennaiites a true Beatles experience, the Counterfeit Beatles’ show will be complete with authentic costumes, stage setups, props, instruments, and even a left-handed bass guitarist! These guys are set to transport audiences back to the 60s when Strawberry Fields were Forever.

The Counterfeit Beatles have a tight act. Peter Bailey, to whom playing Beatles’ songs means the world, is in the garb of Paul McCartney , and plays the bass. Says he, “Most people enjoy singing along to Beatles’ songs, but for me, to play all my favourite songs is a dream come true.” Reuven Gershon (as John Lennon ), a Beatle fan since he first discovered them when he was nine, is the vocalist. Martin, like George Harrison, is the guitarist and minces his words, a role that’s quite befitting. He’s been playing the guitar since he was 15 and is an active songwriter. And last, but not the least, Fred (as Ringo Starr) plays the drums, “but mostly plays the fool,” keeps the mood light with his humour.

Says Peter, the founder member of the band, “The Beatles were thorough professionals. When I analyse the mechanics of each song, I see that the arrangements are perfect. So, if we are paying tribute to them, it will have to be authentic.”

Chips in Reuven, “Our musicianship is top priority. When it comes to the look, we ensure that costumes and props are as close to the original. We use the actual equipment that they used — the same guitars, no special mix, authentic lighting, the whole works.”

Adds Peter, “We even look at little details like where they used to stand. We want people to get the almost-real experience of watching The Beatles.”