Let Me Take You Down... To Meet Strawberry Fields!

Strawberry Fields have been together for over 10 years and during that time, have gained a strong following around New York, and the rest of the world! The band are all die-hard Beatle fans, who eat, sleep and drink 'Beatles'. Tony Garofalo, who plays John Lennon, tells us how the band got started; "The band have been together since 1990, (although we have all known each other longer than that), whilst playing and touring in the Beatles stage show "Beatlemania". The line up has changed since then and the current line up we have, is our BEST yet."

Beatles bands name vary and I thought that this bands name was very 'original', so I asked them why they decided to call themselves 'Strawberry Fields'. "We call the band Strawberry Fields because it sort of represents the middle ground of The Beatles career, and brings to mind a colourful, dreamy notion of the 60's, political issues etc. Additionally, I live in New York City and frequently visit the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park. The band name is a representation of where he - John Lennon, lived and how special New York City was to John and Yoko. There isn't one day that I have not walked the streets of Manhattan, without getting tapped on the shoulder with 'you're John Lennon from Strawberry Fields!' I love it because it's a reminder of how popular we have become and most of all the fans are pleased!"

As the band are named after a song from the later period of The Beatles career I asked them why they think The Beatles excelled themselves musically, from the Sgt Pepper period onwards? Was it due perhaps, to the improvement in studio technology? "The Beatles excelled in the Pepper period because it was their time to. Yes, technology was developing at warp speed, but the lads were tired of touring and playing bubble gum pop, and singing about puppy love. The real issues were war, violence, starvation, drugs, police brutality and civil unrest. The Beatles needed to answer these issues in their music and the recording studio was the perfect place to sit and organise your thoughts and beliefs into music."

So why did Tony choose to portray the character of John Lennon? "I choose to portray John because he is a lot like me personality wise, but most of all I have his vocal range, as well as guitar skills. I have studied classical guitar for most of my childhood, and played throughout the 70's and 80's in various musical projects, involving Jazz, Rock and Heavy Metal - so my musical tastes vary. This helps too, when portraying John Lennon!"

The Beatles themselves went through various stages within their career; from the loveable mop tops to the long hair hippies of rock n roll. Which period of their ever-changing image do you think that the fans prefer to see you act on stage? "I think that most Beatles fans, prefer to see, a 'costume' tribute act performing the entire eras, because it was all good! The costumes give them a 'shot in the arm'!"

What have been the highlights of being in Strawberry Fields and what does 2001 hold for the band? "The highlight of our career has been the entire voyage until now. There has been no special moment, but the uphill battle has been an experience over the years and one, which I wouldn't have done in any other way."

Strawberry Fields are one of New York's most popular tribute acts and the band were asked to perform at an EMI music industry party! On the 12th December 2000, they performed all 27 tracks from the Beatles 1 LP live! Every major producer and many music celebrities attended! See the review in our special Number 1 section for more details!!!

Jo Rishton
TWIL Issue Three January 2001