Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
PAUL MCCARTNEY, portrayed by Scott Riforgiate, performs with Meet the Beetles during a show at the Historic Ironwood Theatre in January 2012. The band will be returning Saturday to honor the 50th anniversary of The Beatles first performance in the U.S.
IRONWOOD - On Feb. 9, 1964, 73 million people turned on their televisions to watch "The Ed Sullivan Show."
On the show that night, a little-known rock 'n' roll band from Great Britain graced the stage and performed two songs over the sounds of teenage girls screaming their love and devotion for the four boys from Liverpool.
And Beatlemania began.
Fast forward 50 years later, and The Beatles have been called one of the best, if not the best, bands of all time.
To honor the anniversary of the band's first performance in the U.S., the Historic Ironwood Theatre is bringing back Meet the Beetles, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Meet the Beetles is a Chicago-based tribute band, and Saturday will be the band's second performance in Ironwood.
"We're very excited to have them back," Bruce Greenhill, managing director of HIT, said. "They do a great job of paying tribute to The Beatles."
The set list for the show includes many of The Beatles' early hits including "I Want To Hold Your Hand," and "Help!," as well as later hits such as "Revolution" and "Something."
Each show includes costumes, vintage equipment and even British accents. The musicians take on the persona of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
"They are always improving the banter and the accents, so it's a lot of fun," Greenhill said.
To help people remember the original performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the theater has posted links showing original footage from the show and The Beatles arrival in the U.S.
"We hope people will look at them, and take a trip down memory lane," Greenhill said. "It's hard to believe that it's been 50 years, and we are really excited to have Meet the Beetles back here again."
Upcoming shows
The Historic Ironwood Theatre will also host The Cat's Pajamas Vocal Group, Feb. 12.
The acapella group appeared on NBC's "The Sing Off" and perform all over the country.
"Ironwood (High School's) Accent opened for them a few years ago in Branson, Mo.," Greenhill said. "The school is producing the show, but we're happy to have them at the theater. Some of the proceeds from the show goes back to the school's music department. These guys are great entertainers and have such high energy. And it goes to a great cause."
For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 906-932-0618, visit the box office at 109 E. Aurora St. in downtown Ironwood, or visit ironwoodtheatre.net.
