Rain—A Tribute to the Beatles returns to New York this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. For the first time ever, Rain brings the historic album to life in its entirety(!!) for this psychedelic multimedia spectacular, as well as some other crowd favorites from different albums. The concert plays the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden May 3 through May 6.
Before the fab four invade NYC, BroadwayBox gets to know the musicians behind the mop tops: Steve Landes (John), Paul Curatolo (Paul), Alastar McNeil (George) & Aaron Chiazza (Ringo).
Steve Landes (John)
1. Song from Sgt. Pepper you listen to the most?
Hmm, it’s hard not to listen to the whole album, it’s really an ‘album’ album, isn’t it? But oh, I guess, something like “A Day In The Life” sticks out, and is probably something I’d turn to if for some reason I didn’t have time to listen to the whole album, or something like that. It’s a truly epic song, sums up the whole album, really, what it’s all about sonically, lyrically.
2. First time you remember being introduced to The Beatles?
The Beatles have literally always been in my life. There was never a moment in my life without them. My parents were Beatles fan, and my older sisters, so the Beatles’ music was always on in my house from the time I was born. I can remember early-related things, like the time we found an old Beatles coloring book for sale at a toy store when I was little, or watching the old Beatles cartoons, or whenever they’d show the Beatles movies on Saturday afternoon TV. They don’t do that now, it’s all on DVDs now. But it used to be a big deal in our house when the local stations would decide to put on A Hard Day’s Night or Help!.
3. What’s the coolest thing about being a Beatle?
Those guys dressed pretty cool—I love the mod look, so black suits with tight trousers, Beatle boots, skinny ties, yeah, that’s pretty fun to wear. Having a reason to put on an English accent comes in handy, too. And they had good taste in guitars, too.
4. What’s your pre-show like for Rain?
It mainly consists of warming up the voice—I don’t think people realize what a vocal band the Beatles were, and having to sing these songs exactly like the records every night is definitely a challenge. You really have to be at the top of your game. So, I try to sing a bit before the show, in preparation. A lot of tea, that sort of stuff. It’s also nice to have a little quiet time before we go out there and rock out for a couple hours.
5. What’s your favorite Beatles lyric of all time?
There are so many. Of course, lyrics with grand statements like “Give Peace A Chance” and “All You Need Is Love” are stands-outs. But one smaller line of lyric that always resonates with me is from “All You Need Is Love”, but it’s not the title line. It’s, “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to me”. That means a lot to me at times when I feel I’m getting in my own way, so to speak, or I’m second-guessing myself, where I am in my life or what I’m doing. It just reminds me that there’s a higher power, bigger picture, greater purpose—fate, nature, God, a-oneness, what have you—that tends to put you where you need to be when you need to be there, and it’s up to you to just see it, appreciate it, learn what you can from it, enjoy it, whatever. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
6. What’s your favorite album?
I love the early Beatles. It’s my favorite era of all of their various eras. So, the first two albums, Please Please Me and With The Beatles. They kick so much butt when I listen to them! So much energy, pure adrenaline, so much sheer joy. Those are fun, feel good albums, and some of the best straight-up rock & roll ever recorded.
Paul Curatolo (Paul)
1. Song from Sgt. Pepper you listen to the most?
Hard to say. They’re all so good and are meant to listen to all together, but I really love listening to “Lovely Rita”.
2. First time you remember being introduced to The Beatles?
My earliest memories of the Beatles music is with RAIN actually. Watching dad and the rest of the lads play!
3. What’s the coolest thing about being a Beatle?
Playing their music is truly the most rewarding part of tributing the Beatles.
4. What’s your pre-show like for Rain?
Lots of Tea and vocal warm-ups =D
5. What’s your favorite Beatles lyric of all time?
There are too many good ones to choose from.
6. What’s your favorite album?
It’s a tie between Rubber Soul and Revolver.
Alastar McNeil (George)
1. Song from Sgt. Pepper you listen to the most?
“Getting Better” as I like to think positive.
2. First time you remember being introduced to The Beatles?
At 16, my friend gave me Revolver and Magical Mystery Tour. Of course, I’d heard The Beatles before but this was when I truly got into them.
3. What’s the coolest thing about being a Beatle?
Everything. Being a Beatle is automatically cool-they were the epitome of cool!
4. What’s your pre-show like for Rain?
A lot of meditating and listening to sitar as I get in character.
5. What’s your favorite Beatles lyric of all time?
“And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make”...I think that says it all!
6. What’s your favorite album?
Abbey Road. So well produced and interesting as well as just fun to listen to.
Aaron Chiazza (Ringo)
1. Song from Sgt. Pepper you listen to the most?
“Good Morning, Good Morning”–It's a real banger.
2. First time you remember being introduced to The Beatles?
Hearing them on the radio during my childhood.
3. What’s the coolest thing about being a Beatle?
The hair...
4. What’s your pre-show like for Rain?
Makeup and fist bumps.
5. What’s your favorite Beatles lyric of all time?
"Please, don't wake me, no, don't shake me
Leave me where I am, I'm only sleeping"–Nobody likes to be woken up.
6. What’s your favorite album?
This is a day by day answer BUT currently Let It Be for it's wonderful takes and arrangements.
See this fab four live in Rain at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden May 3 through May 6.
