Why Did The Chicken Cross Abbey Road?

Go on, then. Make these lads laugh.

I’m usually sympathetic toward cashiers at retail stores and restaurants when they ask for my e-mail address since I once worked at a bookstore where we were practically waterboarded if we didn’t reach our monthly quota of acquiring customer e-mails.

So last summer when the cashier at the Apple Holler Restaurant just over the border in Wisconsin asked for my home address and e-mail, I gave it to her. After all, my wife and I had found the breakfast buffet tasty, the service had been friendly, and there was a good variety of vegetarian choices. Anyway, I now regularly receive e-mails as well as flyers from Apple Holler.

Their most interesting promotion concerns a show called “C’mon, Let’s Twist And Shout - Rockin’ Tribute To The Beatles” that will be performed on selected dates from February 11th through April 25th. According to the flyer, the show consists of memorable songs, intriguing narrative, and comedic sketches. I’ve seen quite a few Beatles tribute bands, including American English, Liverpool Legends (which is managed by George Harrison’s sister, Louise) and Liverpool, the band that performs at Fest For Beatles Fans. I’ve never seen any of them toss in some comedy routines.

The Beatles were very funny, whether it was in their movies or just coping with clueless media types at a press conference. But are the Apple Holler skits about The Beatles themselves, or fans acting crazy? Maybe the tribute band does parodies of Beatles songs, like my comedy group Famous In The Future has done.

I found some info at The Journal Times.com that states “C’mon, Let’s Twist And Shout - Rockin’ Tribute To The Beatles” was created by Apple Holler Entertainment Director Heather Clayton and Joaquin Hernandez, who’s described as a regular Apple Holler performer. Joining Clayton and Hernandez onstage are James Jones, John Clayton, and Elsbeth O’Brien.

I can’t say that I’ll make it back up to Wisconsin to see “C’mon, Let’s Twist And Shout - Rockin’ Tribute To The Beatles” at Apple Holler, but it sounds like a fun idea. I wish Clayton and her crew the best of luck.

Fest For Beatles Fans Returns To Rosemont

Fest For Beatles Fans has been making its annual visits to the Chicago area since 1977 and earlier this year was the inspiration for the original play Mop Top Festival at the Factory Theatre. The three-day celebration will bring celebrities, tons of merchandise, live music, and art to the Hyatt Regency O’Hara in suburban Rosemont August 14-16. Guests include Ronnie Spector, a Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame singer whose recordings with The Ronettes delighted The Beatles. Hudson Brothers Mark and Brett, who continue to find success as musicians and producers (particularly Mark who produced Ringo Starr) will also be on hand, along with former Wings drummer Steve Holley, and guitarist Earl Slick, who played on John and Yoko’s Double Fantasy album. Greg Hawkes from The Cars will play ukulele on songs from his new CD, The Beatles Uke.

Long-time master of ceremonies Terri Hemmert, whose Breakfast With The Beatles show airs on WXRT every Sunday morning, comes across as an avid fan as well as a skilled interviewer in her on-stage sessions with each guest. British comedian Martin Lewis is the quick-witted moderator of Musician’s Forum, a fun and informative free-form conversation and jam session. This year’s Forum will involve Holley, the Hudsons, Hawkes, and Slick. Liverpool, a Beatles cover band that dispenses with the usual theatrics of the genre but still sounds a lot like The Fab Four will perform each night and back Greg Hawkes on a couple of Cars songs. Steve Holley will be filling in on drums.

The Chicago Fest For Beatles Fans is an unabashed love-in for devoted followers as they don their favorite t-shirts; meet face-to-face with people who have worked closely with John, Paul, George, and Ringo; join sing-alongs; participate in trivia contests; and vote for their favorites in a Beatles sound-alike competition. Tickets are $28 for Friday, $42 for Saturday or Sunday, amd $88 for the entire weekend.