The Mersey Beat Legends are a brilliant, live tribute band, recreating the early sounds of 60s Merseybeat. Yanni Tsamplakos (guitar/vocals) is both proud and passionate about The Merseybeat sound. He was born in Liverpool in 1950 and he first played at the Cavern Club in 1964 with his band The Seftons. They went on to be very successful and recorded many singles. In 1997, a commemorative wall of fame was unveiled opposite The Cavern and The Seftons have their own brick in the wall alongside the names of all the bands that performed at the club. In 1972, Yanni found further success when he wrote and sang the theme tune to the long running TV show Candid Camera.
Paul Cornwell (guitar/vocals) has enjoyed a wide-spanning music career, performing at the Manchester Apollo, Marquee Club and Hammersmith Odeon. He has toured Europe, performing at music festivals including Reading Festival with a Status Quo tribute band. Paul writes and records his own songs and has achieved European chart success. Paul has considerable computer knowledge that lends very well to the band's CD design and production.
John Cotter's (drums/vocals) began his musical career on the south coast, with reformed incantations of the 60s band Fleur de Lys, and later The Mojos. John is immensely adept with his music style having performed rock, punk, rhythm and blues but 60s music remains a firm favourite. The band benefits from John's extensive vocal range and his ability to reach the high harmonies. John has great artistic skill that is apparent in his photographic work and production of promotional band material.
Allen Barrett (bass/vocals) has enjoyed playing guitar at venues in the UK and abroad, supporting The Wurzels and The Searchers to name a few. He especially enjoyed performing at Butlin's Festival of the 60s. Allen began playing guitar when he was eleven years old, reaching an accomplished level of ability, evident when he made the seamless switch from rhythm to bass guitar when he joined the band. Allen has an impressive, creative talent for producing ornamental musical figures; this is particularly useful when fixing the band's equipment!
The Mersey Beat Legends have enjoyed being invited to perform at International Beatle Week for the last three years. Each band member contributes many years of experience and professionalism and the band continues to impress and is always in demand.