Tunel Do Tempo

Tunel Do Tempo are one of the longest running Beatle Bands in the World! They have been together for 15 years and are one of the most popular bands in Brazil. Tunel Do Tempo were started by Luiz Mattos, who plays bass, keyboards, and also sings. He is joined by music teacher; Pedro Lima, on lead guitar and vocals, mechanical engineer Manuel Conde on drums and vocals, and Marcos Fernandes who is an insurance broker and provides rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals. They come from Rio, which the band says is the most beautiful city in Brazil! "It has sun nearly every day and some of the best beaches in the world!"

They all began their musical careers in the 60's and were members of famous groups back then! They have performed all over Brazil as Tunel Do Tempo appearing on TV and radio many times. At the moment they are working on a project to release an album in the UK of Brazilian songs, sung in English. One of the songs on the album is 'Loving You', which they recorded at Abbey Road Studios in 1998 for Cavern City Tours' CD. They remember the occasion very well indeed "We had the privilege of being the first Beatles cover band to record at Abbey Road studio 2. There we met Alf (Bicknell), who was the Beatles driver and bodyguard. He told us all sorts of interesting stories. It was like a dream, just like we'd gone back in time. We could still feel that magical atmosphere in the air."

They love playing the Liverpool Beatles Convention and would love to get a similar event started in Brazil. Despite there being no formal convention in Brazil, the band play regularly to theatre audiences of 2,000 to 5,000 people. Their biggest ever audience was when they opened for The Mamma's And The Papa's in Londrina where there were over 10,000 people! They are all huge Beatlefans and remember when the Beatles phenomena first swept Brazil. When 'Help!' was released they went to the cinema and watched it all day - 6 hours!! Tunel Do Tempo are also fans of the tribute bands who play Liverpool every year - their favourites are Lenny Pane, and they also like Sgt Peppers who play in Brazil.

They were unable to attend this years' Beatleweek due to illness, but hopefully we will see them back in Liverpool next year!

Nina Douglas
TWIL Issue Two October 2000