The Pete Best Band @ Annapolis

The Pete Best Band appeared in historic Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, appearing at Rams Head On Stage. The PBB totally captured the audience with an unforgettable performance, highlighted by a handful of Beatles classics and a wide selection of choice cover songs from the Merseybeat era.

The PBB recently retooled their stage act, showcasing three engaging vocalists. Now sharing both lead vocals and backing vocals are guitarists Tony Flynn and Phil Melia plus bassist Paul Parry. Drummer Pete Best is joined in the rhythm section by younger brother Roag on drums.

Flynn sang the invigorating "Slow Down", which got the evening started. Parry then introduced Pete best, who stepped forward to entice the crowd and generate excitement. Best energized the Annapolis audience as the band launched into "What I'd Say".

Melia shared vocals on "One After 909" with Parry. This Lennon rocker never fails to entertain at a PBB concert. Parry has a knack for the ballads and did not disappoint on "P.S. I Love You". "Roll Over Beethoven" by Melia and "Besame Mucho" by Parry were two popular back to back power hits.

The two early Lennon & McCartney classics, "Hello Little Girl" and "Like Dreamers Do" were both song by Melia. Although neither song was released by the Fabs, Best took his turn on recording demos of these at a 1962 Decca audition. The Beatles were not signed by the label, which has gone down in history as one of the biggest mistakes of all time.

Parry's powerful delivery of "Long Tall Sally" captured everyone's attention. The PBB enjoy jamming on "Cry For A Shadow", a 1961 Harrison & Lennon instrumental. Introduced for a second chat, Pete came forward to share his memories of his tenure as a Beatle. Best spoke about recording "My Bonnie", which featured Tony Sheridan on lead vocals.

After quoting the lyrics, Best asked the audience to sing along when signaled to do so. The PBB performed "My Bonnie" with the mellow prologue before shifting gears into a hard-edged jam. Flynn's animated vocals on "Some Other Guy" is not to be missed live.

Parry revived Beatlemania with his rendition of "I Saw Her Standing There". Audience delirium erupts every time the PBB launch into this infectious rocker. Their precision in performance on this number valiadtes this unit's ability to play live and be recognized as a formidable stage act.

For a climactic finish, the PBB hammered out a trifecta on "Twist And Shout", "Kansas City" and "Johnny B. Goode". One of the impressive qualities of the PBB is their fantastic harmonizing, which is anchored by the dynamic dual drumming of the Best brothers. The PBB left Annapols standing on their feet, clamoring for more. Best reappeared later to greet his fans and sign autographs.

Many Beatles fans are only now becoming familiar with Pete Best and his important musical contribution to the Fabs. Pete Best was their original drummer, spending a two year stint to keep the beat for The Beatles. Best is rehabilitating his musical horizons with eyes on a rewarding future.

The Pete Best Band continues to labor in the Casbah Coffee Club recording studio on their much anticipated new PBB album. This group production is going to go a long way in rehabilitating the musical career of Pete Best. The new PBB studio album is a teamwork effort, reported to feature band compositions that chronicle a biographical tale of Pete Best.

Annapolis setlist: Slow Down * What I'd Say * One After 909 * Please Mister Postman * P.S. I Love You * Roll Over Beethoven * Besame Mucho * Hello Little Girl * Like Dreamers Do * Till There Was You * Long Tall Sally * Rock And Roll Music * Money * Cry For A Shadow * My Bonnie * Ain't She Sweet * Sweet Georgia Brown * Some Other Guy * I Saw Her Standing There * Twist And Shout * Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey * Encore: Johnny B. Goode

RockonTour Issue #70
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The heat from the beat
Getting all fired up for the Pete Best Band

by Timothy Tilghman