Two (faux) heavyweights (faux) going at it in concert

It’s ‘Beatles vs. Stones’ (well, with tribute acts) in touring show

In the early days of the British Invasion, fans found themselves in two distinct camps — The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Now, 55 years later, that argument still exists, with one touring tribute show hoping to provide music fans with clarity and insight.

“Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Showdown” will play back-to-back nights in Elyria and Kent, with the respective shows Sept. 17 at Lorain County Community College’s Stocker Arts and Sept. 18 at the Kent Stage

The tribute act, which started out nearly a decade ago with the current lineup being together for the last three years, features one of the county’s top Beatles tribute bands Abbey Road facing off against the renowned Stones tribute band Satisfaction — The International Rolling Stones Show.

The former includes Fab Four musicianship, authentic costumes and gear, while the latter offers a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and company.

“Obviously, you have two (of the) greatest rock bands of all time, so the show is just a no-brainer and a winwin for everybody,” said Chris LeGrand, who portrays Mick Jagger in Satisfaction.

“The challenging part is trying to get in all of the songs you want in two hours because all of these bands have so many great songs in their catalog. But we ramp it up and bring it out there. It’s a nonstop blast every time we go out and do it.”

As far as the Beatles portion of the show, drummer Axel Clarke, who portrays Ringo Starr, said he grew up more of a Fab Four fan.

Over the years as a percussionist he’s come to respect Starr’s idiosyncratic talents that helped him provide the iconic rock act’s backbeat.

“Ringo’s playing is perfectly unique to him and complements the Beatles’ music perfectly,” Clarke said. “If you took his drumming out of those recordings and replaced him with Keith Moon or Charlie Watts, it just wouldn’t be as effective.

“His style is literally a musical term. If someone says ‘play something Ringo-esque,’ you know exactly what they mean. That’s the height of musical achievement.”

While each act performs its own show, the encore does provide an opportunity for the two groups to have some fun together. Early on, LeGrand said, they flirted with performing “I Wanna Be Your Man.”

The song was a logical choice considering it was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who gave it to the Rolling Stones. Eventually, it was recorded by The Beatles.

“We tried it a few times, but it didn’t have the impact we wanted,” LeGrand said. “It may get lost on some people. Historically, it’s cool, but I think we realized that using that time in the encore for something a little more popular seemed to make more sense.

“Our encore is fantastic. We do a mash-up. I won’t give away too much other than to say it’s really a highlight of the show.”

Regarding the aforementioned debate between fans, “Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Showdown” could provide a definitive answer on which both sides will agree.

“The majority of people are kind of in both camps,” LeGrand said. “People might have a predetermined thing in their mind, but listening to records is completely different from see a live show.

“In my mind, there’s no debate. The Beatles have a lot of hit records but the Stones are a great live act. Putting it all together in one show, I think everybody comes out a winner.”

SUBMITTED PHOTOS Perhaps the lads in Beatles tribute act have to run from young adoring ladies the way the real Fab Four had to back in the day? Hmmm. “The challenging part is trying to get in all of the songs you want in two hours because all of these bands have so many great songs in their catalog,” says Chris LeGrand, who portrays Mick Jagger in Rolling Stones tribute act Satisfaction, about “Beatles vs. Stones — A Musical Showdown.”