An Interview with Neil Harrison of The Bootleg Beatles

Did you ever think the Bootlegs would have lasted as long as you have?
Primarily the reason it has been so successful is the ever-enduring love affair the public has with those four unique characters and their music. People want to hear these songs played live and the audiences, especially young people want to imagine what it was like to actually see the Beatles in action. I think that the secret of our particular success as a 'Tribute band' (although I hate that term!), apart from being sticklers for authenticity in all the staging details, is that we are four dyed-in-the-wool Beatle nuts, who grew up listening to and playing their music and we have a bone fide affection for this music and them, and this I believe comes out in every performance. The truth is, we still just love the music!!

What has been the most memorable thing about being a Bootleg?
Playing on the roof of the Apple building and our first concert at the Royal Albert Hall and also, playing Earls Court with Oasis.

Which Beatles songs mean the most to you and why?
I suppose Please Please Me, because it was the first and after I heard it I was smitten. And Eleanor Rigby, because it was so original at the time and Strawberry Fields because it was so John.

What was the largest audience that you have played in front of and where was it?
Knebworth, with Oasis and there were about 120,000 people!!

Would you say, that you were anything like The Beatle you play in your own character?
No, apart from that we are both blind as bats!

What's the most adventurous thing that the Bootlegs have ever done?
Promoting the London Palladium for the first time on our own in 1993. It was a lot of money and a BIG risk, but thankfully it paid off!

How did it feel when you recently recreated The Beatles last ever, live concert at No3 Savile Row?
AMAZING!! Certainly the most like a Beatle I have ever felt. The reaction from the local office workers was the same as in '69! Spontaneous fun, dancing on the rooftops, singing in the street! It was brilliant! Really brilliant!!

During which period, do you think that The Beatles were at their best musically and why?
This is a difficult one. If you mean 'musically' as a band, then probably before all the screaming started! The first album 'Please Please Me' was recorded virtually as a live performance. The band set up in the corner of No 2 Studio, Abbey Road and started recording - the playing is sensational! Musically their playing suffered as the 60's progressed (which is one reason why they stopped touring). Ringo said (Anthology 3 or 4) that by the height of Beatlemania his playing was awful because he couldn't hear. All the subtleties of drumming were abandoned for timings sake. Individually as writing (apart from 'Let It Be') each had it's own flavour. I couldn't say that 'Eleanor Rigby' or 'She's Leaving Home' was better or worse than say John's 'Day in the Life' or 'Tomorrow Never Knows', they just show different facets of musicality. As for George, I think he peaked in 'Abbey Road' (and solo 'All Things Must Pass'). Ringo, well, er, yeah…not the greatest penner of classic songs, but the best drummer in the whole world. And so say all of us!!

How do you feel after a concert?
Knackered! And if I still have a voice, relieved!

Jo Rishton
TWIL Issue One July 2000