Ringer
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Members: Ian Murdoch, Gregor Phipps, Chris, Willie Hastie.
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Beatlefest appearances: Liverpool Beatleweek 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Biography: (from the Beatleweek 2003 Programme)
One of the very best things about this job is definitely the fact that you get to meet great people from all over the world. This has never been more true than in the case of Ringer. Many of the bands are true BIG Beatles fans, and Ian, Steve et al are students of the phenomenon and they will regale you for hours with stories that are anything to do with the Fabs. It's in their bones! Many times in this programme I have taken the opportunity to poke gentle fun at the lads but you also have to be able to take it if you start messing with the jocks. I have had many memorable moments, special moments, shared with them over the years, too many to even begin to mention. Real friendships have been forged out of a mutual love for the music. Ray, Neil, Dave, George and myself all have so many friends in the Dundee area and we try to get up there whenever we can. Whenever we do we are treated with great affection and with warm Scottish hospitality.
So how did it all begin? This is Ringer's 20th Anniversary trip to Liverpool but prior to that they were known as Dead Ringer and the band was formed by Ian Murdoch, who was joined by Kenny, Derek and Billy. It was Billy who made the drastic mistake of leaving as he was ultimately replaced by Steven Vincent McDonald! The rest as they say is history! Their first trip to Liverpool was in 1982 as Dead Ringer which is where they met Sam Leach and played at the Cavern Mecca museum in Mathew Street. The band were getting rave reviews and played in Germany and New York. In was at the 1983 Beatles festival as Ringer that they were first introduced to strange substances by a rather fresh looking Bill Heckle (premium lagers).
A lifetime friendship was born. Ringer returned year after year and in 1987 the band line up was Steve, Lyall, Ian and Grant Roberts who used to wow the women. (Note I said used to!) At this stage Ringer had the mantle of being the fans favourite Beatle band for a variety of reasons.
They were the ultimate party band and would play for hours. They reckoned in 1987 that they could play the whole Beatles' repertoire non-stop and then could probably spend another 12 hours playing non-Beatle tunes without repeating themselves.
In 1987 the band were joined by Alan on keyboards who bought a much needed macho image to the band. Ultimately of course this macho image disappeared again when Alan left to be replaced by Willie Hastie on keyboards.
Relationships with Cavern City Tours blossomed and the band let in the New Year in Abbey Road Studio Two in 1990 when they played a private party for CCT and EMI. By this time Ringer were officially Denny Laine's backing band. Then, out of the blue, just when Ringer were at the height of their career, Steve and Grant decided to emigrate to Canada. The old joke was that they had seen an ad that said "Drink Canada Dry!" so they decided to try! The band almost single-handedly (with perhaps Bob Bartey of Apple/Walrus fame), changed the nature of Beatles Conventions. Gone where the days of Twist and Shout and She Loves You. With Ringer (and Bob) the aim was to provide something new every year and you were as likely to get We Got Married or Soldier of Love than anything that would be classed as standard. Now of course this is de rigeur, which makes this festival what it is. But believe you me it was Ringer that changed the face of Beatles conventions forever. Of course, emigration wasn't then end of the world for Ringer because they were replaced by two virtuoso musicians, Gregor and Chris who took Ringer on to new challenges and heights. Thus it will be an emotional gig when Grant and Steve actually get up to play a few more numbers with Chris, Willie, Gregor and Ian. Everybody is looking forward to it, except Ian who rings me every week asking "Do we have to do this?". However, despite Ian's denials, Steve and Ian remain great friends - a bit like Paul and Yoko or Mother Theresa and Adolf Hitler! Still it should be great fun. We must also take this opportunity to wish Gregor every happiness as he has just got married in Italy, whilst also conveying our best wishes to dear Willie whose wife has not been too well of late. So go and see them, enjoy them and understand why they still remain one of the greatest bands ever to play this Festival.Bill Heckle
Ringer :: TWIL Issue Five August 2001
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