The Beat Brothers

We come across a new Beatles Band almost every day!! There are literally hundreds of bands out there - each unique in their own way, ensuring that the music of the Beatles lives on! Here is one up-and-coming band for whom a spot at a future Beatleweek surely beckons!! The Beat Brothers are Phil (age 11) and Eddy Gillespie (age 9). The boys are Beatle-mad - it was the music of The Beatles which encouraged Phil to take up the drums, and Eddy the guitar! For such young fans, their talent is amazing and, like The Beatles, they have a great enthusiasm and dedication to the music. Who knows, 'With A Little Help From Their Friends' the Beat Brothers could be convention headliners!

The boys first sang together 3 years ago, at a party for 150 people where they went down a storm! They play early Beatles music, with an emphasis on Rock & Roll tracks like 'I Saw Here Standing There', 'Rock & Roll Music' and 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy'. When playing the electric songs they are joined by two other members of the family (also brothers), who are more seasoned in playing 'live'. One was in a Beatles Tribute Band in 1978 (and is a simply brilliant Paul McCartney!!), which played the pubs and clubs of Stoke-On-Trent.

Phil Gillespie is a multi-talented musician for his young age. Along with two fellow pupils and 3 music teachers, Phil is the drummer in his school Rock band which performs at school functions. He also plays trumpet in an adult brass band and has performed in his local area, both on the trumpet and drums. And as if that wasn't enough, his love of the Beatles music has encouraged him to learn to play the guitar!!

Of course, The Beatles themselves started out as young lads with a passion for Rock and Roll music - and look what happened to them!!! The Beat Brothers dream is to play at the annual Beatles Festival in Liverpool… with their passion for the music and their enthusiasm we are sure that one day their dream will come true!!

Joanne Rishton
TWIL Issue Three January 2001