The WannaBeatles, a Beatles cover band, and the Florence Symphony Orchestra took the stage at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in downtown Florence on March 18 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
The band’s purpose was to transport the audience back in time and create a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the Beatles era. They hoped to evoke the same excitement and enthusiasm that characterized that era and to allow the audience to relive the music of their youth in a fresh and exhilarating way.
To achieve this goal, the band performed a diverse range of the Beatles’ classic hits including popular tunes like “Magical Mystery Tour,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Live and Let Die” and the crowd favorite “Hey Jude.”
The tribute band consisted of four talented musicians, including Dennis Scott on vocals and bass, David Toledo on drums and vocals, Nathan Burbank on keyboard and vocals and Quinten Bianchi on guitar and vocals. They delivered an outstanding performance, taking the audience back in time to when the Beatles were at the height of their popularity.
The band played each song with precision and accuracy, perfectly recreating the Beatles’ iconic sound. The concert was a huge success, with the audience showing their appreciation with a round of applause, standing ovation, and cheers.
“The WannaBeatles did an excellent job portraying the band,” Ivey Waszczuk, a non-student attendee, said. “They made the whole concert feel and sound like a Beatles concert, engaging with the audience and creating a powerful experience. Ever since I was young, I grew up listening to the Beatles, and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Paul McCartney in concert twice in my lifetime and it was amazing. The WannaBeatles lived up to the performance and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this show to anyone who loves music.”
For many music lovers, the idea of starting a tribute band is a natural way to pay homage to their musical idols. Whether it’s the energy of a live performance, the thrill of playing your favorite songs or the chance to connect with other fans. The WannaBeatles created their tribute band because they fell in love with The Beatles.
“When the Beatles hit the airwaves, I was one of the many kids who felt compelled to run out and buy a guitar,” Scott said. “Years later, after moving to Nashville, I started playing gigs at a Mexican restaurant. One night I told my bandmates, ‘Let’s play some Beatles songs’ – and the guests loved it! I suggested to the manager that he have a ‘Beatles Night’ and his response was ‘Si si – Beatles and fajitas.’ Soon it became a monthly happening, which inspired us to formally become The WannaBeatles. And the rest is history.”
For more information on The WannaBeatles, you can visit their website. To stay updated on upcoming performances and events at the Performing Arts Center and FMU, check their respective websites.