Popular Beatles' tribute band to play the Phillips Center

July 6, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the world of popular music, no one rivals The Beatles. When the group first formed as a garage band in Liverpool, England, no one had an inkling that it would become one of the most popular acts of all time, leading the “British Invasion” of America in the mid-1960s. Its musical legacy is so great that The Beatles continues to earn fans the world over, even though they broke up nearly 40 years ago.

The group has spawned many spoofs and tribute bands, but none comes as close to the original as The Fab Four. Talented musicians in their own right, they do not simply impersonate The Beatles. The members’ note-for-note renditions are nearly perfect, and their resemblances to the originals are uncanny. Even Ringo Starr’s manager has said, “It’s virtually like seeing The Beatles.”

The Fab Four’s July 29 concert at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will be the group’s third visit to UF.

Group members include Ardy Sarraf, Ron McNeil, Michael Amador and Rolo Sandoval. Sarraf has won first place in numerous Beatlefest “sound-alike” contests and is generally considered to be the best musician to ever portray Paul McCartney. McNeil has performed all around the world and was chosen to portray John Lennon in numerous shows promoting The Beatles’ Anthology video release by Turner Home Entertainment. Amador, who strongly resembles George Harrison, has perfected his note-for-note performances of Harrison’s guitar solos through years of study. At 19, Sandoval began portraying Ringo Starr. He has since performed around the world and even appeared with cast members of the Broadway show “Beatlemania.”

The Fab Four will perform at the Phillips Center at 7:30 p.m. July 29. Tickets are $25, front orchestra and mezzanine; $25, mid-orchestra; $20, rear orchestra; and $15, balcony. The performance is sponsored by the Dharma Endowment Foundation and WIND-FM.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS(2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Orders may also be faxed to 352-846-1562. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the web at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.

The Phillips Center Box Office is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and two hours prior to performance.

Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.

For more information contact Amy Schafer at 352-392-1900, ext.324 or e-mail aschafer@performingarts.ufl.edu.