Photo courtesy of Montauk Music
When it comes to music that defies the boundaries of culture and time, there are a few virtually unforgettable living legends: Elton John and Michael Jackson, to name two. While there are a host of tribute bands nation- and worldwide that seek to represent what these and other legendary artists once brought to the stage, they are occasionally looked down upon as unoriginal or inferior. In reality, a tribute band can (and should) be so much more than a mere imitation. This season at the Wildey Theater, four different tribute bands—Who’s Bad (Michael Jackson), Dogs of Society (Elton John), Yesterday (The Beatles) and Ladies of the 80's—will be proving exactly this.
They say that imitation is the strongest form of flattery and yes, it’s true that these bands hope to flatter the original artists who inspired their work. In that case, a cover band would have a similar goal. Tribute bands, however, go the extra mile, honoring a musician or band that changed the way we see music with a live concert experience mirroring that of the original artist.
Joseph “Jobel” Bell, lead singer of Who’s Bad: the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, explains, “It’s not just about being him. The performance and what we do is all for him. It’s about continuing his musical legacy, and the love and excitement and power that people believed he could bring.”
Photo courtesy of Montauk Music
Who’s Bad is the only Michael Jackson tribute band to predate his passing. When founder Vamsi Tadepalli asked Bell to join the group as one of its lead singers, Bell had already been working with a producer to write songs that would have been considered for Michael’s newest album. Bell had previously been compared to Michael based on his vocals and performance quality, so trying out the group was a natural decision.
“It was really a happy marriage,” Bell said. “Surprisingly enough, before Who’s Bad, I was going through an identity crisis, having done so many different styles of music, but after I joined, I could be validated and comfortable singing how I naturally sing. I could have a high voice, and it didn’t matter if I didn’t sound manly enough.”
The tribute band channels Michael’s energy to give audiences the incredible feeling they once felt listening to Michael’s songs live in concert—and if they didn’t get to experience that, provides them with the next best thing.
“It’s Michael Jackson’s music, it’s his sound, it’s his choreography, and people love that anyway, so having any resemblance to that is just an amazing phenomenon to be a part of,” Bell says.
John Gore, lead singer of Elton John tribute band Dogs of Society feels the same way. He was musically jaded after playing in different cover bands for years, when the strong connection he felt to Elton John’s music led him to form Dogs of Society. The band avoids using prerecorded sequences or tracks, in order to maintain the organic approach common to the era in which Elton John created his music.
Photo courtesy of Contemporary Productions
Gore says, “When I perform, I try to evoke Elton on stage, so that people can suspend their disbelief and get lost in the music—because the star of the show isn’t me, it’s the songs. It’s more of an evocation than an imitation.”
Photo courtesy of Contemporary Productions
An audience at a tribute band performance is also likely to be quite invested in the artistic legend represented by the band. Gore says, “Tribute bands attract music-loving, educated people who have really developed an appreciation for the star. You know they’re there specifically to hear music by this classic artist they know and love.”
When it comes to the Ladies of the 80’s tribute band, it’s not one artist, but a whole group of artists who, together, represent a turning point in classic rock music.
Amy Bange, one of the original members of Ladies of the 80’s, says, “When I met up with my booking agent after taking a long break from music, he mentioned several tribute bands, but they were all men. That’s when I asked, ‘Where are the women?’ Because we really evolved as artists during that period of time.”
Photo courtesy of Ladies of the 80's
Ladies of the 80’s is made up of three women who recreate the songs of female '80s rock stars like Madonna, Heart, Pat Benatar, Cindy Lauper, Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett.
“We always have different set lists, because there’s so much great material from that time, and we like to keep it fun and interesting,” Bange says, “It’s danceable and happy, and while we’re paying tribute to these amazing ladies, we’re also three individual personalities bringing something exciting to the stage.”
With a group as iconic as The Beatles, a polished tribute act is a particular treat, satisfying the nostalgia of a generation that grew up with the band and showing a younger generation what the hype was really about. Yesterday sings Beatles hits in their original keys, and maintains the full look and dress of the group as well.
Photo courtesy of Yesterday Productions
“It’s a bit of a history lesson for younger people who can get an idea of what the Beatles looked like live," says Don Bellezzo, founder of Yesterday, who performs as John Lennon. "We go through all the different eras with costume changes and videos.”
Even as we get further from the time when these artists originally thrived, it’s hard to picture tribute bands for such legendary musicians ever becoming irrelevant.
“I suppose at some point, maybe 50 years from now, when the original fans are gone, a Beatles tribute band might start diminishing in popularity,” Bellezzo says. “But even then, the world won’t forget them—they’ll be remembered like the Mozarts and Beethovens of rock music.”
Dogs of Society performs Saturday, August 29, and tickets are $22. Who's Bad performs Friday, September 18, and tickets are $30-35. Yesterday performs Friday, September 27, and tickets are $27. Ladies of the 80's performs Saturday, September 26, and tickets are $22. All shows are at 8 p.m. The Wildey Theatre is located at 252 N Main in Edwardsville, Illinois. For more information, visit wildeytheatre.com or call 618-307-1750.
