An Interview with Neil Harrison of The Bootleg Beatles

The Bootleg Beatles are one of the most sought after tribute acts in the world. Over the last twenty years they have become probably the best-known tribute band in the UK, an achievement which was beyond their wildest dreams. So what is their secret? Did they really think they would last this long? Neil Harrison ('Bootleg John') tells all.

How did The Bootleg Beatles celebrate the bands Anniversary?
Neil: We didn't. We forgot!

What has been the highlight of the twenty years that you have been together as a group?
Neil: Playing on the Apple rooftop. Felt just like them.

Can you remember the moment that you all first met and who introduced who?
Neil: Andre and I met on the stage of the Astoria auditioning for 'Beatlemania'. We were singing 'Eight Days A Week' and I said, "Lets drop the key," and he said "F** off!" Rick was alerted to the bands attention by a mutual friend, who said that he had the perfect nose for the job! Paul I saw playing with a Beatle-esque group 'Mojo Filter' at Liverpool Convention. Apart from the blond hair he looked the part, so we offered him the job and an industrial size tub of brown hair dye.

What was your first concert like and what memories do you have of it?
Neil: It was scary as hell, and the journey was even worse! We played a place at Tiverton in Devon, (a student gig I think,) and drove there in a van that went about as fast as a milk float, with a door that wouldn't close properly. It was March 26th 1980… I had doubts we would still be together in April!

What was it like working with Oasis on I Am the Walrus? And how did it feel playing to that crowd?
Neil: Deafening! Bonehead's guitar nearly blew me off stage!! I have had tinitus ever since. Rick apparently, has tinitus too but he can't hear it 'cos he is so deaf! The crowd were great. I had fears that we wouldn't go down… us being a tribute band an all.

In one of your shows, you did an acoustic set where you also sat and answered questions; do you think you'll ever do that again?
Neil: Possibly!

When I saw you in 2000 at The Royal Albert Hall, you played Imagine at the end of your set, in memory of John. What reaction did you get from the fans? (It was brilliant!).
Neil: I got many plaudits. Thanks folks.

Who sketches the shows gags or are they Ad Libbed?
Neil: Some we work out ourselves, some come from other sources and most are Ad Lib.

If you could go back in time, what would each of you say to The Beatle that you portray?
Neil: Would you do it all again?

What has been the wildest concert and where was it?
Neil: Probably Bombay, India.

Do the three Beatles know of The Bootleg Beatles?
Neil: Two of them do certainly. Paul and George. Sir George Martin has seen us many times, most recently at Phil Collins 50th Birthday bash where Phil got up to sing 'And I Love Her' and 'You Can't Do That' with us!!

Can you tell us about your solo album?
Neil: My solo album ('Richmond Hill') was just a bit of total self indulgence really. Being the huge triple-anorak-Beatlenut that I am, I wanted to copy The Beatles musical style on record using my own songs… a bit like a 'Rutles' thing but without the gags. Over the seventies and eighties I had written loads of songs for other people so, I wanted to write something for myself. I even stole some artwork ideas just to give the CD a Beatle look. Mostly it was musician friends that played on it, and it took forever to complete 'cos I was using down time in the studio… some very long nights! But it was a good laugh to do, and a valuable experience, and it's definitely something I want be repeating. Since it's been out, lots of people have said good things about it and many said they had fun playing 'spot the album this track would go on!'

How difficult is it playing along side a 12-piece orchestra? Who arranges the score?
Neil: Not difficult at all. We love it because it gives us the chance to do a much broader Beatles repertoire. In fact this summer in Denmark we will be playing with a 52-piece orchestra, which includes harp and timpani (not sure where that will fit in!) The arrangements or re-arrangements, were scored mainly by a very talented friend of mine called Graham Preskitt, who wrote the arrangement to 'Baker Street', and countless adverts, and was George Martin's right hand man for many years at Air. Jeff Moore, alias Billy from Preston, (in the show) has also scored a number of pieces including 'Imagine', and the 'Golden Slumbers' melody. And Annette "Sox" Brown our MD, has also contributed her arranging skills to lots of brass numbers including 'Got To Get You Into My Life'; 'Yellow Submarine'; 'Fool On the Hill' (recorder) and 'Penny Lane'.

Have you anything to say to your fans and what does the year 2001 hold for The Bootleg Beatles?
Neil: Just a BIG thank you for coming to the shows. What would we do without yers?! We will be plotting the new Bootleg Beatles production in the spring. Not sure about the look of the show... Some visual changes definitely… but favourite new song inclusions would be 'Martha My Dear', 'Something', 'You Can't Do That' and 'The Long Winding Road'.

What's your most over used Beatle saying?
Neil: I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group etc. etc. etc. yawn yawn!!!

Jo Rishton With Neil Harrison
TWIL Issue Four May 2001