The Pete Best Band @ Wilmington

The evidence is quite clear - The Pete Best Band took Kelly's Logan House on a magical history tour back to the early days of The Beatles' original sound. Not a tribute band nor a cover band, the Pete Best Band is a unique stage experience to enjoy live.

It was standing-room-only at the Logan House on Sunday, August 7, 2005, in Wilmington, Delaware; a fantastic evening of fabulous entertainment. The second-story stage was the ultimate intimate setting, which greatly enhanced the group's energy generating audience enthusiasm for the Pete Best Band.

Returning for another tour leg in Summer 2005, this band is convincing even the most skeptical Beatles fans that they have that special quality every time they perform Beatles Hamburg-Cavern era music. Pete and brother Roag Best both play drums, joined by Chris Cavanagh on vocals, Tony Flynn and Phil Melia on guitars, and Paul Parry on bass.

The Logan House crowd was jazzed and ready, and the PBB did not disappoint them. Kicking off with a Larry Williams number, "Slow Down" had an electric effect. Cavanagh's soulful vocals were pleasantly surprising. The lads were energized to deliver an outstanding evening set.

Reaching back to an early Lennon-McCartney composition, Cavanagh joined by Parry sang "One After 909". Bassist Parry took command of the band when he sang the lead vocal on "Long Tall Sally". This performance alone is well worth the admission to see the PBB live. The SRO crowd were thrilled by Parry's stellar delivery that was supported by Melia's choice lead guitar solo.

Wilmington fans were completely caught up in the heat of the moment when the PBB began their rendition of "I Saw Her Standing There". Parry's bouncing bass lines energized an aroused audience during this crowd-pleasing Beatlemania anthem. Four decades later, the musical impact of the British Invasion is still generating waves today.

The Best Brothers and company were in top notch form. This group recreates that "sound" later recognized as the 'Mersey Beat'. The guitar-driven band recalls the hard-edged performances of The Beatles from their stints both at the Cavern Club and in Hamburg. That magic continues on stage every time the Pete Best Band performs live.

Pete Best made himself available to sign autographs for the Fab fans waiting to meet this living legend after the performance. Beatles fans are pleased to meet Pete and express their gratitude for his efforts to keep that sound alive.

The Pete Best Band has a PBS program planned for a September 2006 broadcast. Most importantly, the band has been busy recording in anticipation of releasing a new original studio album next year. With Pete Best's musical profile garnering more attention, look forward to more tour dates to come in Fall 2005.

The Pete Best Band website

Wilmington setlist: Slow Down * What I'd Say * One After 909 * Money * Please Mister Postman * P.S. I Love You - Paul * Long Tall Sally - Paul * Rock And Roll Music - Tony * Cry For A Shadow * My Bonnie - Phil then Chris * Hello Little Girl - Phil * Roll Over Beethoven * Some Other Guy * Sweet Georgia Brown - Phil * I Saw Her Standing There * Twist And Shout * Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey * Encore: Johnny B. Goode

RockonTour Issue #47
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Standing room for jamming tunes
The Pete Best Band overwhelms Wilmington

by Timothy Tilghman