About The Bootleg Beatles
The Bootleg Beatles are a Beatles tribute band. They have performed over 4,000 times since their establishment in March 1980.
The Bootleg Beatles were formed by Andre Barreau, Neil Harrison and David Catlin-Birch, fellow London cast members of Beatlemania, following the final show of the West End musical. The band invested in Epiphone and Gretsch guitars and two Vox amplifiers, four black polo-necks, and a wig.
Their first performance was at a small student gathering in Tiverton, Devon, England. Following more low-profile gigs, the band performed a 60-date tour of the Soviet Union; further tours followed in Israel , the Far East, and India. In February 1984, they were invited to perform in the United States, to commemorate The Beatles' initial US tour 20 years earlier.
UK success continued to prove elusive. In 1990, the Bootleg Beatles booked 10 shows in cities in which the Beatles had performed in their final UK tour in 1965. A second tour the following year proved more popular. Finally, a gig in Southampton caught the attention of Oasis, leading to the Bootleg Beatles supporting Oasis at Earls Court and Knebworth. This gave the band a contemporary audience and led to appearances on the European festival circuit.
On 30 January 1999, the band played on the rooftop of 3 Savile Row, London, where the Beatles performed on the building's roof in 1969. In 2009 the band hoped to mark the 40th anniversary by recreating the performance again, but health and safety concerns prevented the appearance.
In 2002, the band played at Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Party at Buckingham Palace.
Map & Directions To Venue
