Instant Karma

Instant Karma take you on a Magical Mystery Tour through the life and music of John Lennon. The band covers his career from 1950s influences, to the Beatles era and all the way through his solo career...

At an Instant Karma show you'll hear Lennon hits and obscure songs like (Just Like) Starting Over, Imagine, Mind Games, #9 Dream, Isolation and Out of the Blue as well Beatles hits like Strawberry Fields Forever, Help, I Am The Walrus, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and many more. The songs are played with love, affection and great respect to our musical hero. Instant Karma is a tribute to the life and music of a true musical genius.

The band is comprised of six hard-working and talented musicians from the Chicago area, who share a passion and love for John Lennon and his music. Jay Goeppner (lead vocals) has been singing most of his life, and as Lennon for more than 25 years. Jay was instrumental in forming Instant Karma and is the dynamo at the epicenter of the band's energy force. Jay's stage performances clearly demonstrate his true passion for the music of John Lennon and the Beatles. Mark Eskin (lead & rhythm guitar) received his first guitar at the age of nine. He formed his first group at age 10, beginning his musical journey. Mark has been a continual presence in the Chicago music scene ever since, and is known throughout the area as BeatleMark. Bob Blider's (rhythm & lead guitar) musical career began with the acquisition of a Harmony guitar from Sears, Roebuck & Co. and he's never looked back. Auditions for Beatlemania in 1978 gave Bob the idea to form a Beatles tribute band with the presentation and look of the Beatles; American English made their debut in August 1978. In 1996, Bob left the band, starting a record label now called 3B Records and a publishing company, Time-Ben Music (BMI). Jim Dunn (drums) is a native of Brooklyn, New York and like Ringo he is left-handed, playing a right-handed drum kit. He has been duplicating this unorthodox style of drumming for the past 12 years in several Beatle tribute bands. He performs annually at the Chicago Beatlefest with three of his children. Jim is also an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Alex Evans (bass) has a Degree in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Among his inspirations are Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Jaco Pastrious and James Jamerson. Alex has been in several groups, but his primary interest remains with the music of the Beatles. Bob Dobro (keyboards) has been playing keyboards and Beatles music for many years. He adds his distinctive touch to each song he plays. Bob is an accomplished musician, partial to the music of Lennon and The Beatles, exhibiting the typical passion of Instant Karma.

Instant Karma's collective experience playing the music of John Lennon and the Beatles exceeds 150 years. Instant Karma are extremely honored to be invited to participate in International Beatle Week 2005.

 

Nina Douglas