On the Town: The Fab Four pay tribute at the Starlight Bowl

After taking that long and winding road up to the Starlight Bowl, concert-goers were in for a true magical mystery tour back in time as the four faux mop-tops known as the Fab Four took to the venue’s stage for a special pre-season show this past Saturday.

Widely considered the premier Beatles tribute band due to their precise attention to detail, a recorded introduction from comedian Penn Jillette assured Saturday’s audience that what they would be hearing was not lip-synced, but an uncanny, note-for-note live recreation of the songs the original Liverpudlian lads made into standards embraced by every generation for the past half century.

Introduced to the Starlight Bowl crowd by Jerry Hoban in the role of Ed Sullivan, the mock mop-tops — Ardy Sarraf as Paul McCartney, Tyson Kelly as John Lennon, Gavin Pring as George Harrison and Erik Fidel as Ringo Starr — took the cross-generational crowd from the early days of Beatlemania through their psychedelic period of “Yellow Submarine” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” to their later and, in the case of McCartney and Starr, continuing solo careers.

Since 1992, the Starlight Bowl has been providing audiences with a blend of high-energy performances for a pittance of the price one would pay for a ticket at the other two nearby amphitheaters.

With its great sight lines, picnic areas and quality acts, it is no wonder a summer night at the Starlight Bowl has become a tradition for so many Burbankers.

The bowl’s 2014 season will officially begin on Jthe Fourth of July with the presentation of the annual Red, White & Rock ‘n’ Roll extravaganza that will be hosted by legendary K-EARTH radio personality Brian Beirne and feature performances by the Surfaris, the Tokens, and the Beach Boys tribute band, Surfin.’

Then, July 12 will see U2 tribute band Hollywood U2 join forces with the Celtic sounds of the Young Dubliners.

On July 19, Larry Dunn, who helped transform Earth, Wind & Fire into one of the all-time most successful R&B bands, will be joined by the high-energy dance band Platinum Groove.

The following week, on July 26, the legendary Poncho Sanchez will swing into the Starlight with his signature sound of Latin jazz, swing, bebop and salsa.

The Journey tribute band DSB (Don’t Stop Believing) will team up with the Petty Breakers, the country’s premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute act, on Aug. 9. And, the Starlight season will conclude on Aug. 9 with Motown greats the Commodores.

Directions to the Starlight Bowl and tickets for all shows are available online at https://www.StarlightBowl.com or may be purchased in person on the third floor of the Community Services Building, located at 150 N. Third St.

While boxes and grass seating are sold out for the 2014 season, there are still plenty of great seats available. Lower reserved seating is $25 per person and $20 for seniors, while upper reserved seating is $20 per person and $15 for seniors.

Active members of the military can purchase a ticket for only $10. For online ordering, use promo code MILITARY.

Tickets are required for children over the age of 2 and must be purchased in advance. Parking is available beginning at 4:30 p.m. for $8. The gates open for each show at 5:30 p.m.

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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.