When Mark Benson, founder of the cover band 1964: The Tribute, first caught the Beatles' performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, he said it awakened a lifelong obsession with the band. Unfortunately for Benson, he only caught a glimpse.
"Sunday night was a school night, and I had to be in bed by 8:30," Benson said. "My dad told me I had to go to bed. I said 'Dad, you're killing me.' I could still hear them upstairs through my bedroom door. I had waited so long to see it, and I missed half."
Now Benson spends his time recreating the Beatles' look and sound from that iconic performance he half-missed, as the tribute group's John Lennon. Benson and the rest of the band — Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr — will give audiences an opportunity hear the Fab Four at their concert Friday, Jan. 15, at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick.
Though the group is currently in its 32nd year, Benson said they never intended it to become a full-time gig. He and the founding members were all performers in different bands that were starting to play less and less often.
"In 1984, it seemed like a fun thing to do at arms length," Benson said. "We incorrectly assumed the baby boomers would be our last generations of fans. We thought we could play the occasional reunion or night club. We were wrong."
Benson said it's astonishing to see the age range of their fans, from children, to those around to experience Beatlemania firsthand. For eight years, 1964: The Tribute performed full time exclusively at college venues, bringing the sound of the Beatles to a brand-new era of fans. Currently, the group tours the U.S. and Canada, performing for every generation of Beatles maniac. They have been featured in a PBS special titled after the show and have made appearances on Entertainment Tonight, CNN, and USA.
Benson said it's thrilling to see generations of fans coming together to enjoy their shows.
"We saw a grandad and his 7-year-old grandson, and they came to the show just after having played [the video game] 'Beatles Rock Band,'" Benson said. "Typically when you're doing something with the grandkids, you're doing something they like. But here they were in the front row mouthing all the words. They'll never forget this show."
Though the group has changed lineups several times in its history, they've always reflected the magic combo of Paul, John, George and Ringo. When originally divvying up roles, Benson said, the musicians focused on who best fit the vocal range of the performer they were taking over. The imitation aspect of the tribute performances came naturally to him.
"Anybody who is a musician is inspired by some group to perform," Benson said. "You have this vision in your head at any moment, 'I'm doing Hendricks now. I'm Jeff Beck now.' It's a natural part of the performance."
Benson is now further removed from 1964: The Tribute's 1984 start date than the band was from the 1964 Beatles when they started. Though the long history helps let the performances become second nature, it's not without its challenges.
"The tendency of any artist is to progress and continue to move in some direction," Benson said. "Our challenge is to learn something just this way, and then never change it. We're a snapshot of their career."
Though they are focused on the early invasion period of the band, the group does intersperse later Beatles hits into their performances, giving audiences a tour through the group's body of work up through "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Benson said it's the magic of the Beatles' songwriting that makes them so popular to this day.
"All of their songs are positive and all are about love in a direct or indirect way," he said. "They unite everybody. When you hear their music you're not black or white or old or young, you're a Beatles fan."
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If you go
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15
Where: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick
Cost: Tickets range from $22.50 to $32.50.
For more information: Visit www.weinbergcenter.org or call 301-600-2828.
