For seven years, Abbey Road on the River has made its reputation as the world's most concentrated slice of Beatlemania, with tens of thousands of fans lining up to hear dozens of Beatles tribute bands on the Belvedere. They're a hardcore lot, easily capable of getting into fistfights over "Revolver" versus "Rubber Soul." So what's going to happen when the festival's house band, All You Need Is Love, takes the stage this year to perform The Who's "Tommy" in its entirety?
Gary Jacob, organizer of the five-day event sponsored by Courier-Journal.com, has fielded that question a few times in recent weeks.
"I'm sure there'll be a couple of thousand Louisvillians who park their lawn chairs in front of the main stage and say, 'What the hell is this?'" said Jacob, a Clevelander who started the festival there in 2002 and moved it to Louisville in 2005. "I'm really pumped for it, though. I love The Who -- I must have listened to 'Tommy' 400 times when it came out -- and I'm always looking to expand the festival and diversify the music."
There won't be a shortage of Beatles at The Belvedere and the Galt House, with nearly 70 bands on five stages and most of them dedicated to John, Paul, George and Ringo. More than 20,000 fans are expected to attend from around the world.
In addition to "Tommy," major events include "Abbey Road Supersized," a tribute honoring the fest's namesake album on its 40th anniversary; and "The Day The Beatles Met," an original play by students at Louisville's Youth Performing Arts School.
Here are some highlights worth noting. Some shows are only available to top-tier ticket holders:
"Abbey Road Supersized" will take the combined efforts of Beatles tribute king Hal Bruce (Nova Scotia), Abbey Road Live (Athens, Ga.) and Louisville's Mark Beyer and Rachel Blanton. They'll do an expanded version Saturday in the Galt House's Archibald Room (11 p.m.) and a smaller take Saturday on the Courier-Journal Lawn (9 p.m.). "It's just going to be killer," Jacob promised.
"The Day The Beatles Met." This original YPAS production is built around a young fan who crashes The Beatles' dressing room at "The Ed Sullivan Show" and quizzes them about their past, which is told in flashbacks. It will be performed five times in the Galt House's Daisy Room: Friday at 6 p.m., and both Saturday and Sunday at 2 and 5 p.m.
"They're Gonna Make a Big Star Out of Me." A singing competition (Friday through Sunday) with an $8,500 grand prize that includes roundtrip airfare for two to Liverpool's A Hard Day's Night Hotel and a performance at the fabled Cavern Club. Ages 16 and older are eligible for the grand prize, while cash prizes will be awarded to ages 15 and younger. There's a $20 entry fee (in addition to your ticket to Abbey Road on the River). "The contest is a personal project of mine," Jacob said. "I think that one day it'll become bigger than the festival, with thousands of entries and prizes in the six figures."
Russian pop singer Alyona will lead a re-creation of the soundtrack to the Beatles-inspired film "Across the Universe" on Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
The Who's "Tommy" is one of history's greatest rock albums, and it gets its own tribute Friday at 9 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m.
At 4 p.m. Monday, the ubiquitous Bruce hosts tribute bands with a 1967 (aka "The Summer of Love") buzz, including those for Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd. Louisville's Merry Pranksters handle everyone else.
| Abbey Road on the River is produced by Abbey Road on the River LLC, a Kentucky Limited Liability Corporation, and 365 Events, an Ohio Corporation.
For more information, call 216.378.1980 or e-mail. "The Beatles" is a federally registered trademark of Apple Corps Limited ("Apple"). Abbey Road on the River is not endorsed by or affiliated with Apple Corps Limited. All sales Final. No refunds. If you are traveling and cannot attend, you will be issued a credit for the 2011 AROTR |