An Interview with Yesterday

Yesterday are from Oaklawn in Illinois, USA. The only words to describe Yesterday are 'pure excellence'. The bands' attention to detail - especially to the harmonies is really quite amazing. They send you back to the time of Beatlemania giving you a show full of pure energy and nostalgia. Yesterday are a credit to themselves… and to The Beatles.

I managed to interrupt the group's busy schedule to find out more about them and their band Yesterday - just being Yesterday.

What made you want to be in a Beatles Tribute Band?
Davey: I've wanted to be in showbiz since I was a young pup. My parents bought me lots of instruments at a very young age. A lot of my friends had children's tapes, but I had The Beatles singles on 45! I remember in the 4th grade, my music teacher was into The Beatles and a lot of other 1960's and 1970's bands. For 6th grade I played piano and sang 'She's Leaving Home' for my recital at school. I started in a band in the 8th grade and by the time I was 21 I was performing in clubs. A lot of people would come up to me and say that I look like Paul McCartney. So I decided to perform as Paul in a band. I always loved his voice and my original voice is much like his. I was performing in various Tribute Bands as Paul, then I started up a group called The Ripples, much like the Cavern early style Beatles. The next band was British Import. We started out as a classic rock band and then merged into The Beatles Tribute Band. Back in the 60's albums that came from the UK to the States would have a Union Jack or British Flag stamped that read British Import. We did very well in several corporate events, then in 1994 British Import went to Liverpool, cheers to you - Cavern City Tours! One year later we performed at Comiskey Park for Turn Back The Clock… "Right on Rob!" July of 1995 I joined Yesterday - A Tribute To The Beatles.

Who are Yesterday?
Davey: Yesterday are The Beatles! Yesterday are a group that tours worldwide. A band that loves their fans to dance, sing, and scream at our concerts! Four lads that want to give everybody a chance to relive the 60's. Bopping and having a blast!
The Band Are:
Don Bellezzo - Lead Vocal Rhythm Guitar - John Lennon
Davey Justice - Lead Vocal Bass Guitar - Paul McCartney
Monte Mann - Lead Guitar - Vocal - George Harrison
Dick Cunico - Drums - Vocal - Ringo Starr

How did you all meet and where was it?
Davey: It really began at 43 Egg Lane, Liverpool, were Ron Nasty and Dirk McQuickly first bumped into each other…. Wait… no that's The Rutles! You mean the group Yesterday! Well I was at my office at Shytown Productions when my phone rang. It was Don Bellezzo, founder of Yesterday. I had heard of them, but never got a chance to see them live. Don said he got my number from someone in his family that previously saw me performing in Chicago. I flew out to California where the concert was being held. The concert was about one and a half hours long and it was a brilliant show! I worked with Jim 'Ringo' Martin for about 2 years and he has kept the group (British Export) going strong! Beatles forever Jim!

Why did you call yourselves Yesterday - was there a specific reason?
Davey: Well it was called Yesterday before I popped in to this band for life.
Don: It was probably their most well known song. It also lets the public know we are playing the great songs of Yesterday - the past!

Where do the band play live and what kind of venues do you play?
Davey: We perform twice a year in Japan. We have performed on national television in the states for a Dick Clark Production. We have also performed in China, England, Philippines, and Canada.
Don: Theatre's, Symphonies, Colleges, Corporate Fairs, Festivals and private events for Hollywood stars!
Monte: We play mostly one to four thousand seater concert venues and large outdoor festivals anywhere from 5,000 to 20,000 people.

What do you all think of the song Yesterday and what do you think Paul was trying to say?
Davey: Believing in love even if you can't feel it right now.
Don: I think the song is well written. I think Paul was trying to tell Don Bellezzo to use this title Yesterday for the name of a band!
Monte: I think it's about regret over lost love.
Dick: Brilliant!

What would you be doing if you were not in a Beatles Tribute Band?
Davey: Television advertising or maybe singing vocal for commercials.
Don: Working with the Chicago mob! My family is from there. I'm Italian!

What do you think The Word Is Love?
Davey: Right on Jo and Nina! I love to see the Beatle word spread all over this globe.
Don: I think it's wonderful!!

What do you think of the 'The Word'?
Davey: Brilliant! FAB harmonies! Love is always the word!
Don: I think its even more wonderful now!
Monte: One of Lennon's Best.
Dick: Love is all you need!

What would you do if a former Beatle turned up at one of your shows?
Davey: Ask him to come up on stage for 'Hey Jude'!
Don: Call my attorney!
Monte: I would hope to get to meet and spend time with him.
Dick: Hang out with him after the concert.

If you could be a fly on the wall at any point of The Beatles career when would it be and why?
Davey: I would want to be at The Abbey Road recording sessions. So I could watch the vocals being recorded for the song 'Because'.
Don: Ed Sullivan Show. I would like to see how The Beatles tuned their guitars.
Monte: The Sgt. Pepper recording sessions. This was the most exciting time in the history of recorded music.
Dick: Shea Stadium. I would have enjoyed the energy.

How did you all feel when John Lennon died and what music do you think he would have been composing if he were alive today?
Davey: I was playing the guitar at that moment. My mom knocked on my door and said that John Lennon was just shot. I laid my guitar against my bed ran into the other room. I stood there in shock watching the news. They announced that John Lennon was dead. Lots of images flashed in my head. I wanted to go to New York City to light a candle for John, but there was just no way I could get there. I stayed in my room for three days meditating and knowing that I would now NEVER get the chance to meet John Lennon or see The Beatles perform live in concert. Then one year later I was sitting in my car and I was thinking about John and 'Just Like Starting Over' came on the radio. They had announced it was a new John Lennon song. I am not really sure what music he would have composed if he were alive today. John always liked to surprise his audience - he was very intelligent in showbiz. Huh! That's a really interesting question! Maybe John would have released a new CD instead of '1'. Well just like The Owl says in the commercial "the world may never know!"
Don: A great loss. It was unbelievable.
Monte: Sad. I think he would have continued to write, perform and record.
Dick: I felt like a bright light had been turned off and the world had lost an incredible inspiration.

Any messages to Beatles fans 'Across The Universe'?
Davey: Thanks for your support with us and The Beatles. Without The Beatles, music would be way different on this planet. I have been seeing influences coming from several Beatles songs. All that's left to say is cheers everyone, and remember - BEATLES FOREVER! The Word Is Love! All You Need Is Love!

Jo Rishton
TWIL Issue Four May 2001